From the EGT’s Sustainable Landscaping Series, “The Ecological Benefits of the Not So Perfect Yard”
Bad Habit #10 – Tilling
Don’t till seasonally. If the condition of the soil bed requires it, till once at the beginning of the bed set up and then let it do its thing naturally.
Tilling brings up weed seeds that are buried in the soil and setting them free to germinate and do their worst.
Tilling destroys soil structure and small microorganisms that are a part of the living soil structure. This means they are unable to produce nitrogen that benefits your plants.
Tilling can create a thick, dense layer of compacted soil known as hardpan. Hardpan can restrict the flow of nutrients and water through the soil.
Tilling releases carbon into the atmosphere that you should keep in your soil.
Kick the Habit Cover your soil with layers of mulch. Wood chips in particular, placed ON TOP OF THE SOIL, are an invaluable resource. They are generally available for free and are used by organic gardeners to mulch their gardens. The chips eventually break down and feed the soil increasing its fertility, water retention, and the beneficial organisms in the food web. Green mulch (plants) is even better.
From the EGT’s Sustainable Landscaping Series, “The Ecological Benefits of the Not So Perfect Yard”
Bad Habit #9 – Not Being Waterwise
As our drought across great swaths of our country last summer makes clear, water conservation efforts are critical. We frequently go from one extreme to another: either too much or not enough. Acres of water guzzling lawn, non-native plant species, inappropriate watering habits, all contribute to water scarcity issues. Excessive impervious cover contributes to stormwater runoff which leads to water pollution and undercharged groundwater tables. KICK THE HABIT
Reduce storm water runoff and keep our waters clean with the installation of green infrastructure including reducing impervious surfaces, grading all areas away from your house at a gentle slope, and capturing rainwater on site by installing rain gardens/barrels. Your goal should be to keep as much rainwater on site as possible.
Remove as much lawn as possible and replace it with gardens filled with native plants. Irrigate only when necessary but do keep in mind that even native plants need supplemental water as they get established (during the first 2 years). Be sure to mulch properly but remember that green mulch is the best mulch. Choose the right plant for the right place, matching your planting choice with the site conditions.
What to Plant –From the EPA – choose plants that are defined as low water use or drought tolerant for your area. These plant species will be able to survive in your climate with minimal, if any, need for supplemental watering once established.
The Mercer County Improvement Authority will be sponsoring a County Document Shredding event this Saturday, October 8th from 9 am – 12 noon. It will be held at 641 South Broad Street, Trenton, Lot 4, across the Mercer County Administration Building.
A maximum of eight boxes and/or bags of paper per vehicle will be accepted. This event is for paper only, no household chemicals will be accepted.
This Shred Day is open to Mercer County residents only; no commercial businesses will be allowed. Proof of residency (driver’s license) will also be required.
For more information call 609-278-8086 or visit www.mcianj.org.
The final Ewing Township Shred Day of 2022 will be Saturday, October 15 from 9 am – 1 pm at the Municipal Building.
Ewing Township’s All-Around Town Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt is back again this year for the 4th year running.
Mayor Bert Steinmann said that the previous years’ events had seen great success, with hundreds of people participating and sending in photos of people on the hunt. “People love scavenger hunts,” he said. “It’s a great way to learn more about the community, for businesses to gain recognition, and for families and kids to have a great time on the hunt.”
The All-Around Town Scavenger Hunt arose from the Ewing Green Team’s original Scarecrow Contest, where residents would create their scarecrows and bring them to the Ewing Senior and Community Center to display and compete for People’s Choice prizes at the Annual Trunk or Treat event.
The Scavenger Hunt, sponsored by the Ewing Green Team, Ewing Arts Commission and Art Has No Boundaries, was born of the idea to involve and promote local businesses, as well as residents and organizations, and through some innovative clues, help hunters to learn more about the community. It lasts almost the whole month of October, beginning on October 1st, and ending on Oct 27th at 4:30 pm. Winners will be announced at the Recreation Department’s Trunk or Treat event on Saturday, Oct 29th.
In years past, each scarecrow had its own unique riddle which would lead the way to its location. This year, the group is trying something new with picture clues. Hunters must track down each of the 36 scarecrows on the ballot and enter its name in the form. The more scarecrows you find, the more entries you get into the Grand Prize drawings.
We’re keeping many of the prizes from last year and adding some new surprises. You still get to vote for your 2 (two) favorite scarecrows – a favorite residential winner and a favorite business/organization will each get $ prizes. And the Green Team will still select the one scarecrow that best ‘upcycles’ and/or uses recycled materials. And we will still have a raffle winner from all the hunters’ entries!
Also returning this year is our very own Stan By Mee, our scarecrow that will be at 4 different Ewing locations during the month. Each week in October, on Sunday, check the Ewing Green Team’s Facebook page for a new clue for “Where’s Stan?” Once you find him at his new location; take a selfie of someone in your ‘hunting party’ and email the Ewing Green Team at ewinggreenteam@gmail.com for a chance to be entered into the Stan By Mee drawing.
“We love Halloween,” stated Scarecrow Chairwoman Lisa Feldman. “Celebrating the fall holidays and the arrival of cooler weather with our Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt is a lot of fun for us as well as our participants. Scavenger hunters regularly send us great comments about how much they enjoy figuring out the clues and finding our scarecrows. We believe it’s a fun time for scarecrow hosts and hunters alike and a wonderful way to celebrate the Ewing community.”
The All-Around Town Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt begins on Saturday, October 1st and ends on Thursday, October 27th at 4:30 pm, giving you plenty of time to hunt them all down. Winners will be announced at the Trunk or Treat event at the Ewing Senior and Community Center, 999 Lower Ferry Road on Saturday, Oct 29th at 4:30 pm. Contest rules and ballots can be found online at https://ewinggreenteam.org/scarecrow-scavenger-hunt-rules/. Paper ballots can also be picked up at the Ewing Community and Senior Center (ESCC) at 999 Lower Ferry Road or Hollowbrook Community Center at 320 Hollowbrook Drive.
So, come on out and enjoy the hunt! It’s a great way to meet your neighbors, perhaps discover some businesses you weren’t aware of, and enjoy our community. Challenge yourself to find our ‘crows, earn chances for a variety of prizes, and begin your autumn adventure.
Kids, bring your bike (and helmet) to Community Fest!
Kids ages 4 -12 are invited to the Ewing Police Department’s and Ewing Green Team’s free 2022 Community Fest Bike Rodeo. Aimed at teaching the rules of the road, as well as some safety tips for both the rider and their cycle, the event will run from 11 am to 1 pm, Saturday, September 24th at the parking lot next to Barnes & Noble in TCNJ’s Campus Town.
Officers, along with volunteers from the Ewing Green Team and TCNJ students, will teach hand signals to be used while riding, as well as provide additional safety tips. Participants will also test their skills on the obstacle course, which will feature educational stops along the way. They’ll also learn when to watch out for pedestrians at cross walks and to watch out for cars.
Our bike rodeo also stresses how important it is to wear a helmet while riding. Helmet fittings and replacements will be provided by Capital Health (while supplies last). Kids will learn how to properly put on a helmet and when it’s time to transition to another bike or helmet.
Bicycle Safety Checks
Staff from Hart’s Cyclery Bike Shop and Ewing Police will be on hand to perform basic safety checks for those whose bikes need some attention.
Registration
Pre – registration is recommended to make your experience at the Rodeo go more smoothly, but not required. For more information, contact our Community Relations officers Detective Irving Bruno at 609-882-1313 ext. 7013 or Detective Danielle Bethea at 609-882-1313 ext. 7781.
Recycle Your Bicycle
Our Bike Rodeo is also an excellent opportunity to help make a child happy with a new bike while decluttering your garage and storage areas! Bring your old and dilapidated bikes to the rodeo during our hours of 11 am – 1 pm. They will be refurbished by the volunteers of the Boys and Girls Club Bike Exchange at Capitol Plaza in Ewing and put to good use.
(All proceeds benefit the Mercer County Boys & Girls Club. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Mercer County Bike Exchange is a volunteer-led enterprise that repairs donated bicycles and sells them at modest prices at its Ewing location at Capitol Plaza, raising funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mercer County and promoting biking for transportation and pleasure among low-income families.)
With the support of our event sponsors, everyone can bike safely in the community. This event will be held rain or shine. Cancellation of event in case of truly inclement weather will be uploaded on Ewing Township’s social media outlets.
Event Details
Date: Saturday September 24th Time: 11 am – 1 pm Location: Parking lot next to Barnes & Noble in TCNJ’s Campus Town Cost: FREE Ages: Kids, age 4 – 12 Bike Checks| Bike Skills Course | Bicycle Safety Education | Free Helmet Fittings | Replacements provided by Capital Health (while supplies last)
Sustainable Ewing Green Team 