National Tree Day


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Project Genesis
National Tree Day
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First of the month and time again for Project Genesis, initiated by our very own blogging gal-pal Suzan.
Time again to put our thinking caps for ways we can help our environment, whether it be large or small..
Every little change helps..
And as Suzan says .....
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Create Change
The World Will Thank You
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August 1 also happens to be National Tree Day here in Australia... An environmental initiative co-founded by Olivia Newton-John and Planet Ark in 1996, aimed at protecting our local biodiversity and encouraging future environmental custodians.. As you may know.. plants combat climate change by locking up carbon in their tissue. The planting of any tree or shrub will not only beautify your surroundings, but will positively impact climate change. By planting native trees and shrubs you can also help to increase biodiversity and protect the native wildlife in your own corner of the world. [more info here: http://treeday.planetark.org/]
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Coincidentally.. wikipedia informs me that 2010 has been declared
International Year of Biodiversity!
[who knew!]
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Doing My bit [sort of]
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Now to do my bit I ran off to my local nursery today...
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As I've haven't had a garden in over decade I was quite lost roaming around all the plants and went for those I've been pining for... Gardenias and Lavender [naughty me]. However I did also pick up a native and will do some more research before I run amok in the back garden. If you'd like to read other participants bringing you tips and tricks to help the environment.. pop over and visit our lovely host Suzan at Old Grey Mare blogspot .....


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Julie b



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IMAGE SOURCE:
Images: text, photography and editing by me - [Being Ruby©]

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35 comments:

erin's art and gardens said...

oh julie...i am so happy that you have a place now to dig in the dirt!! and well, lavender is one of my faves! isn't Z great for doing this project?
all the best,
erin

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Awesome Julie! Planting trees is so dear to my heart. I live in the land of old growth forests, which the multinationals have been clearcutting as fast as mechanically possible. The lungs of the planet, being pulped for phone books MAKES NO SENSE! Your photos are GLORIOUS!!!!!! I have some lavender too. I planted them last year, they wintered, neglected in their big tub, and this year in spring they rejuvenated and are a lovely burgeoning mass. Lovely photos and post.

sharon santoni at my french country home said...

Hiya Julie

The English call this sort of lavender "French Lavender", don't ask me why. It's one of my favourites. If you're starting to plant, you must be feeling settled.

Speak to you soon
Sharon

Anonymous said...

7 years ago I transplanted a spruce tree from the forest to the forest. Yep. Wanted a tree to grow in a place where we needed a little extra visual privacy from the road.
Turns out that little tree has grown about a half of an inch in 7 years, giving me reason to appreciate even more how very precious this forest is.
I can't think of anything that I enjoy more than discovering new plants and helping them grow. Enjoy your discoveries, Julie!
:)
Zuzu

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

I am so grateful for the huge, ancient trees that surround my cottage. They are wise old friends and guardians.

Anonymous said...

Well, happy National Tree Day to you, Julie! Glad you had fun at the nursery. I am especially fond of lavender myself. I have a few indigeneous ferns in my garden, too, and they work well beside the lavender, both bushy and beautiful.

Enjoyed your great info and the link to 'treeday'. And it's good to know this is International Year of Diversity. Thanks for sharing...

Lynette

Ella said...

Informative and gorgeous~ I love lavender...I'm all for beautifying and helping the world with plants and locking up some carbon! Gardenias...a fav of mine, too!

enJOY, your green thumb and doing your bit to help~xXx

Giulia said...

Happy tree day, my dear. I'm glad I grew up doing my bit, it seems like nothing to me. But for others it's a big adjustment, so I applaud their efforts.

That garden is going to make you so happy. Must go as the power is ready to go off again (yes , again). Photographs are superb, as always.

ciao ciao

Susan & GG

Pooch Purple Reign said...

beautiful ruby! happy tree day
~pooch

Jen Beaudet Zondervan said...

Hi Julie! So great to see you back!! This is a great idea but I'll have to settle for potted plants. Gardenias and lavender, my two favorites! Yay! You're back!
Take care!
Jennifer:)

nerines said...

You know I reckon I'll just go ahead and do that (visit Suzan). Beautiful picture!! And funny 'cos I had a dream about lavender last night but it was in a bag?? Might go and find out what that's all about too...
I hope you've had a brilliant weekend! xo :)

simon said...

If you get a grevillea you will encourage honey eaters like the Eastern Spinebill, and also the wonderful Rainbow Lorikeet, which enjoys the sweet flowers. Just a thought

Beach House Living said...

We have arbor day here. My father planted a tree for all of us when we were born as we got older we all took care of our tree. I've often wondered if it's still standing.

Angela Furlong said...

Well done to you Julie! We don't have a garden but if we did I'd be planting loads of lavendar and gardenias too (both are an old favourite) x

Sue said...

Hi! Good to see you! We keep trying to grow lavendar and it keeps dying. Your pot is beautiful!

Charlotta Ward said...

Worthwhile and beautiful - what a great combo.

Loving the lavender. Always have some in my bedroom and in pouches here,there and everywhere around the house.

Hoping you are well. Would love to hear from you when you have a moment. Am thinking of you and hope you are feeling ok.

x C

red ticking said...

love the photos... and thinking of you sweet friend... just have too much going on to make the rounds these days... but always want you to know you are in my thoughts... hope you are well... xoxo

oldgreymare said...

Julie,

I give up! From now on I will tell you what my post is about and you take pictures for me OK? Every photo of yours is always sooooo pretty....

Buying native plants is a huge issue for me. Living here for 34 years I have watched over 50% of the items in our nurseries and garden centers become non native species.. Our allergen levels have risen each consecutive year I have lived here..hmmmmm? you think it is coincidence?

xx

z

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Hi Julie...another gorgeous post featuring one of my favourites...the Winter Lace...I hadn't heard of that name before!!! Happy Gardening Julie...I'm sure you're going to have lots of fun...Dzintra♥x

Jeanne Henriques said...

Wonderful Julie..I imagine that pot will bring hours of joy into your life as well. Biking is my contribution to the environment. London has a cycling campaign underway...you can read about it here at Finding My Way

http://jeanne-findingmyway.blogspot.com/2010/07/english-pedal-power.html

Best wishes for a wonderful week my friend!!!

Jeanne :)

Jane said...

Julie I was going to email you to make sure you are alive and well!! You have to get some broad band at home.

I love lavender but like other so called easy to grow plants I invariably kill it. I have planted some near our garbage bin spot, gross I know and it is only just coming good.

A garden is superexciting. At very least you must grow herbs.

xoox

Mary-Laure said...

How wonderful! I had no idea there even was such a day. I don't know if it's a cliché or not, but it seems that Australians are very environment-aware and eager to preserve the beauty of our planet.

pve design said...

lovely lavender and all the butterflies and bees love it too.
pve

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Hi Julie,
Oh what wonderful photographs of one of my favourite plants. We have a similar one called 'Papillion' as it looks like a butterfly. ....... and, very nice to see you doing your bit. I try to do my bit in my small way.
We did gardening this weekend which felt like the whole 48 hours !!!! I ache all over !!
Hope that you are settling in O.K. It's lovely that you have a garden. Now you can spend money at the garden centre !! haha.
Have a lovely new week. XXXX

Sahildeki Ev said...

Somehow I can only see the first photo..and it is just amazing. Lavenders are my favorite

Unknown said...

Great to learn 2010 is International Year of Biodiversity! Just wait till you get your hands back in the soil, you are going to love it!

Stephanie said...

I can't wait to see your garden as it takes shape! And I am so glad to see the internet is behaving for you again - missed you!

Carole said...

Hey Julie,
The nursery down under don't know what their in for when you run amok!!! haha just kidding!
I'm jealous of that lavender...not a variety we can do here. Love the little tails it gets on top. That one you should definitely fill your new yard with. Oh how I wish I could go with you shopping for plants. You'll have to take us along to a garden center sometime.

It just hit me that it's winter there for you... duh! and you have lavender outside. WOW now I'm even more green!!!
Love the photo you took and we get a sneak peak at your new home.
Hope you're getting out from under all the boxes and starting to feel like this is now YOUR HOME!!!
Happy Tree Day!
xxx
Carole

simon said...

BTW we have a tree preservation order where I live. No trees can be cut down or removed without an enviromental impact study made.

I have two massive Turpentine trees which are frankly very "dirty" in a residential area.. dropping sap, conkers ( seed pods) and leaves at a rapid rate.

BUT

One of them has a beautiful orchid growing in its branches, and they are a haven for all kinds of birds.

So- we just live with the mess and I go once a month to the tip with the debris from each tree.
We get an arborist in to trim any dead branches etc etc. Its a lot of work but worth it IMO

nevin said...

Awesome Julie! Awesome! I adore your art. So beautiful ..and I am so happy for your new home XXX

Angie Muresan said...

That is wonderful, Julie! I wish I had a green thumb. I did try to plant some mint, thyme and basil, yet they've died somehow, before they were even born.

Shellbelle said...

Hi Julie, I just returned from some time spent with friends and family over on The Gulf and am now catching up on Project Genesis. I didn't have it finished in time to link up, but I posted all the same. Such wonderful posts from so many thoughtful bloggers.

I hope your internet problem was straightened out! It is lovely that you now have a garden to call your own!

xoxoxoxo

Exquisite Accessories said...

Hi Julie, how are you settling in to your new home? I will be there with you on the planting, once I start on the landscaping I will need all the help I can get with choosing the right plants. Enjoy your new plant xx :))

Luiza said...

Dearest Julie,
I´m so happy for you, now that you have a place to get your hands dirty ;)!

Your lavendula is gorgeous, just as your photos of it.

I hope you are feeling good, and having a nice , eeeh, winter or fall?

Have a wonderful thursday!
Hugs/
Luiza

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

The lavender you're showing is making me envious, especially since it is your winter.