Plants as Renewable Resources Exhibit at the Progressive German Federal Garden Show (BUGA)

Every two years at the Federal Garden Show in Germany, called BUGA, there is an exhibit organized by the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection that showcases plants as valuable renewable resources. Outside there are many rows of various crops organized by industrial categories like dyes, pharmaceutical, foods, textiles, oils, fuels, and so on. Inside the pavilion the various plants are shown with their respective end uses. For instance, hemp is always a major example displayed here, growing outside, and shown inside usually shown with the hemp door panels used by some car manufacturers like Daimler as well as other uses.

There are many other plants that may be used as renewable resources for our industrial society. This exhibit and the garden shows are truly remarkable and you will surely not see anything like them here in the US. This progressive attitude by the German government and its citizens, as is showcased at their garden shows, is the reason that I started organizing ecotours to Germany every two years to coincide with the garden shows. This ecotour visits some of them most cutting edge sustainable design and living concepts in architecture, garden design, urban planning, product design, transportation, and so on. The next ecotour is next year in August 2009. To learn more, please visit: www.GreenHarmonyTours.com.

Roland's Websites:
Green Harmony Living
Green Harmony Design
Green Harmony Tours

Sustainable Gardening: Dead Trees Are Just As Important As Live Trees

During the bare, bleak winter season I am again reminded of the importance of dead trees in the landscape. It is during this time when all the leaves are off the trees that the sky becomes prominent and clear from the summer haze that any still standing dead trees are more clearly seen. I imagine most people consider dead trees, especially tall ones, to be an eyesore at best, and at worse, to be a severe hazard for fear of falling over. Because of this neatnick and fearful outlook most trees that die become wood chips before the blink of an eye.

I think this is a real shame and I am recommending that people leave dead trees standing where it is safe to do so. Dead trees are a natural part of our planet’s ecosystem and many plants and animals have developed over millions of years to rely on this habitat as a place to live, for food, and for shelter. The most recognizable benefit is to woodpeckers who need dead and mature live trees for their survival. Dead trees house beetles and insects that the woodpeckers need for food, and they use their strong beaks to carve out a hollow space in the trunks that makes a great home for them. I know I have enjoyed watching woodpeckers many times as they peck at the trees and fly about. I don’t want to imagine a world without them, for they are a beautiful sight!

In our garden we have three rather tall dead pine trees that attract many birds, including woodpeckers. We decided to leave these trees since they are not endangering anybody and they are very valuable to the ecosystem. I also think dead trees present a striking architectural and sculptural element not found in any living elements. Dead trees are, like boulders and mountains, nature’s sculptures that make landscapes beautiful. Unlike anything else, dead trees provide a direct connection between the sky and the earth that helps us understand both realms.

So, the next time you suddenly have a tree die in your garden, please consider letting it stand. If you are the least bit observant, you will be amazed at how much new life it will bring to your garden!

About Roland Oehme: He is a landscape architect specializing in beautiful, bold, edible, sustainable, and wildlife friendly garden design. To view his portfolio, please visit iwww.GreenHarmonyDesign.com

2009 Adventure Ecotour of Germany

20-30.August.2009 - Adventure Ecotour of Germany 2009: Discovering the Baltic Coast, Berlin, and Saxony’s Secret Green Architecture and Gardens

Join eco pioneer, Roland Oehme for an Incredible Experience of Germany's Sustainable Lifestyle!

We Offer Personalized Small Group, Carbon Offset Tours. Our tours emphasize Germany's wonderful progressive design sense as seen in its amazing garden shows, parks and gardens, sustainable architecture, transportation, beautiful pedestrian oriented towns and cities, and many other examples of sustainable living.

Come Join Us Next Year, 2009, to See the Unique German Federal Garden Show (BUGA) in Schwerin!

The German Federal Garden Show is the Olympic of garden shows as it only happens once every two years in a different city in Germany. Unlike the many temporary garden or flower shows in the USA or England, this horticultural extravaganza in Germany takes years of planning at all levels of government and the relevant private sector in order to build a permanent park for the city's residents to use forever.

The next German Federal Garden Show will take place not until 2011, so you won't want to miss next year's tour in 2009!

For more info and to signup: www.GreenHarmonyTours.com

Roland's Websites:
www.GreenHarmonyDesign.com - Sustainable garden design
www.GreenHarmonyLiving.com - Organic products for your green & healthy lifestyle
www.GreenHarmonyTours.com - Adventure ecotours of Germany