Blue Thumb – Page 3 – East Metro Water

People are no longer content to just plant a pretty garden in their yard. Now they want a garden that stops polluted runoff, attract butterflies and birds, or improves wildlife habitat.

Do it for the kids (Shrink your yard)

By: angiehongmn April 4, 2011

Yards and LandscapingBlue Thumb, groundwater, native plants, water conservation, wildlife habitat2 Comments

The concept of sustainability is rooted in this universal hope we all share that our children and grandchildren will lead lives as good or better than our own.

How can I get you in some new landscaping this spring?

By: angiehongmn February 25, 2011

Yards and LandscapingBlue Thumb, Forest Lake, landscaping, planting for birds, raingardens, shoreline plantings, Square Lake, tree sale, trees, Washington Conservation DistrictLeave a Comment

Canâ€™t you just see yourself driving away with a new bundle of seedling trees this spring?

Bringing nature to your doorstep

By: angiehongmn December 28, 2010

Yards and Landscapingbackyard woods, Blue Thumb, design with nature, groundwater, native gardens, native landscaping, native plants, planting for clean water, prairie gardens, water conservation, water pollution, wild onesLeave a Comment

Where was nature during that stretch of my childhood? It was certainly in the mountains, probably out in the country where the grapevines grew, possibly in the orchards and empty lots, but definitely not in our own backyard.

Forest Lake Makes Dead Ends into New Beginnings

By: angiehongmn November 23, 2010

Keeping water clean, Local AchievementsBlue Thumb, comfort lake - forest lake watershed district, Forest Lake, freshwater, groundwater, raingardens, water conservation1 Comment

Before you sipped, breathed a sigh, and began your daily work, that water drop in your cup traveled a billion years and a million miles. It was passed down from generation to generation by the people who lived before us. Raingardens in Forest Lake are just one of the ways we can ensure this gift keeps giving.

Do you really like me?

By: angiehongmn November 12, 2010

Partners and UpdatesBlue Thumb, boundary waters, bwca, impaired, Mississippi River, National Park Service, native plants, phosphorus, ramsey washington metro watershed district, St. Croix River, Washington Conservation DistrictLeave a Comment

My best guess for prom queen this year is the St. Croix River, liked by 16,850 people. Hopefully all those people are ready to roll up their sleeves and pitch in on projects to keep the river clean, now that its been declared impaired for excess phosphorus.

Putting Down Roots

By: angiehongmn September 10, 2010

Yards and LandscapingBlue Thumb, deep-rooted plants, erosion control, leadplant, native plants, shoreline plantings, water conservationLeave a Comment

Where now there are corn fields, wheat fields and houses with close trimmed lawns, once grew big bluestem, purple coneflower, compass plant and cylindric blazing star.