Things Worth Knowing: 08.16.14

Success is all in the preparation.

Overdue painting projects finally made their way to the top of the “To Do” list this summer. Each of them is a re-do of a project from some years past.

On the plus side, latex paint has improved considerably since the last time these projects were done. It is thicker. It has low odor. It is guaranteed for longer. It is offered as paint and primer in one.

On the down side, it is pricey.

To ensure that new paint will adhere well, it is essential to remove any loose paint, to patch and prime any holes, and to get the surface smooth and clean before painting. The high cost of the new premium paints is one more reason to do a thorough prep.

In the past, paint labels advised washing down the walls with something like TSP (trisodium phosphate), rinsing well, and letting the surfaces dry before painting. TSP is a powerful cleaner that can cause burns to the skin and eyes. Furthermore, the user is advised to keep gray water from a session with TSP from entering the sewer.

The US Geological Survey cautions: “Phosphorus is an essential element for plant life, but when there is too much of it in water, it can speed up eutrophication (a reduction in dissolved oxygen in water bodies caused by an increase of mineral and organic nutrients) of rivers and lakes.” Such conditions can lead to algae blooms. 

Over the years manufacturers have come up with various “TSP Substitutes,” some in a powder form that required a rinse, others in a liquid form that you sprayed on and wiped off. 

This time around, I opted for a totally chemical-free solution — Ultimate Cloths®. and water. 

Ultimate Cloths® are often sold as fundraisers, but anyone can buy them online. I had already been using them to wash windows, get the grime off cupboard doors, clean computer screens and eyeglasses, and make stainless surfaces shine.

I decided to see if they worked well enough for paint prep. I got out a bucket of water and my “Bad Boy” (the large version of the cloth designed for use on washing a car) and got to work on the light pink wall in the hallway vestibule. With a damp cloth and a bit of elbow grease, two decades of grime washed off. As the wall became bright pink once more, my cloth and the rinse water grew ever grayer. 

The prep was much easier, cheaper, greener, and less hazardous to my health.

And the new paint went on really well. 

I imagine there are other similar products out there, but Ultimate Cloths® are the ones I know. Give ’em a try and get busy. I guarantee you will find many uses for them. 

If they seem a bit pricey, factor in that you can use them over and over, and that you will not require any other cleaning products besides water. 

Granted, once you use them a couple of times they may not look white any more. The instructions say that you can bleach them, but I have let this go. And I note that they are available in colors now. You can read more about the cloths here. 

I hope you find this a “Thing Worth Knowing.” Check for more stories like these as time goes by.

Meatless Monday: Eating Invasives

“If you can’t beat ’em, eat ’em” is the mantra of both urban foragers like “Wildman” Steve Brill and chefs, including New Haven's Bun Lai, whose restaurant features an Invasive Species Menu. In fact, the European green crab featured on Bun’s menu is one of the dozen invasive animals hunted by Jackson Landers, who documented his adventures in Eating Aliens.

Invasive animals often make themselves known in dramatic ways — leaping into boats  (Asian carp) or rooting in farmers’ fields (feral pigs). A quieter, even more pervasive threat, comes from the invasive plants that are taking over our landscape. They are such a problem that many states have formed Invasive Plant Working Groups with action plans and corps of volunteers who attempt to eradicate these invaders when possible and, at the very least, keep them from spreading. A key component of any successful program is educational outreach, alerting the public to the problem and enlisting their help in containing it. Here is a link to the group at UConn. 

What is an invasive species? In short, it is a plant or animal introduced by humans, intentionally or accidentally, to a new location where it has taken hold to such an extent that it has crowded out or become a threat to resident native species.

One such species common along roadsides, forest edges, and city lots in Connecticut is Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) also known as Japanese bamboo. Introduced as an ornamental in park settings in the 1870s, it was used to control erosion along roadsides in the 60s and 70s. It has since gotten out of control. This beautiful plant is easily identified by its hollow, red stems [more about this later]. 

Knotweed in an urban lot in May

Japanese knotweed can thrive under a variety of growing conditions; it can even withstand roadside salt and tolerates drought. Once established, this vigorous growing plant is difficult to eradicate. Its seeds germinate under a wide range of conditions. Established plants spread vigorously by producing new stems from long, deep-growing rhizomes; root fragments created when you pull up or dig up the plant can repopulate! Thus, the best way to control it is to cut it back before it flowers.

This invasive plant does have some culinary uses. The young shoots have a lemony taste. Steve Brill and others have used these for making pie and jam. You will find some recipe ideas here. Bun Lai created a beverage “Knot Your Mother’s Lemonade.” 

But, here’s the thing. It’s fine to harvest and eat invasives in a manner that will help curb the population [and if you know that the the site where you harvest is free of lead, pesticides, and other contaminants]. But, you have to be extremely cautious not to spread the invasive while you are gathering it. Remember what I said about knotweed propagating by root fragments?

Back to the stems… The red stems contain reservatol, the chemical in red wine and grape juice that may have heart healthy properties. Since Japanese knotweed is a cheaper source of this chemical than grapes, this plant is now being cultivated and harvested for medicinal use. The majority of the reservatol supplements sold today are manufactured from Japanese knotweed extract.

What does it mean to cultivate an invasive? What if it escapes and multiplies where it is not wanted? Are there adequate measures in place to keep this from happening? 

Take care when dealing with invasives or you might inadvertently cause harm when you really meant to do something good.

Happy Monday. Have a great week!

On Mondays I often blog on food, food issues, or gardening in support of Meatless Monday, one of several programs developed in the Healthy Monday project, founded in 2003 in association with Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Communications. Meatless Monday’s goal is “to help reduce meat consumption 15% in order to improve personal health and the health of our planet.”

Things Worth Knowing: 08.07.14

Sometimes age has its advantages.

Did you know that if you are a US Resident 62 years of age or older you can purchase a Lifetime Pass granting you free admission to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites for a mere $10?

The Senior Pass May be obtained in person at a federal recreation site or through the mail using this application form. The cost of obtaining a Senior Pass through the mail is $20.00 ($10.00 for the pass and $10.00 for processing the application.) Applicants must provide documentation of age and residency or citizenship.

The Senior Pass admits pass owner/s and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas and pass owner + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, where per-person fees are charged. (Children under 16 are always admitted free.)

In addition to free admission, at some sites the pass provides a 50% discount for the pass owner on amenity fees such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services.

More details and instructions for obtaining the pass are available here. 

U.S. Military members and dependents may obtain a free annual pass. Everyone else can purchase an annual pass for $80.

Of the 2,000 federal recreation sites, over 400 are under jurisdiction of the National Park Service. The National Park Service was created by an Act signed by President Woodrow Wilson on August 25, 1916. Yellowstone National Park was established as the nation's first national park by an Act signed by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872. You can see the national park system Timeline here.

The 401 areas comprising the National Park Service system cover more than 84 million acres in every state, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. These areas include national parks, monuments, battlefields, military parks, historical parks, historic sites, lakeshores, seashores, scenic rivers and trails, and the White House. Here is a complete list. 

The largest(13.2 million acres) is the  Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska; the smallest (0.02 acres) is the Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial, in Philadelphia PA. Here is a tool for locating sites in each state and US territory.

Free pass, annual pass, or single admission — however you go — a visit to these sites is a bargain. This land is your land, and it is beautiful! Get out and enjoy it whenever you have the opportunity.

I hope you find this a “Thing Worth Knowing.” Check for more stories like these as time goes by.