Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Breathe Green




















Breathe Green: In the late 80s NASA co-conducted a two year study titled

INTERIOR LANDSCAPE PLANTS FOR INDOOR AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT.

The full study link here: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19930073077_1993073077.pdf


The study was born out of data collected by the World Health Organization that estimated approximately 30 percent of all new or remodeled buildings have varying degrees of indoor air pollution. This phenomenon is named "sick building syndrome."

NASA interest in this research was born some sixteen years earlier when scientist identified indoor air pollution problems associated with sealed space habitats. Knowing that humans would someday be living in Space, NASA had a vested interest in identifying how to create an environment that would be less toxic and support life beyond Planet Earth.

For Earthlings the study produced research data that can be applied to how we can live and work and suggests that “If human move into closed environments, on Earth or in Space, we must take along nature's life support system.” The study is based on a simple thesis we all remember learning in Science Class that Plants “breathe” by taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.

Around the planet Elementary School Children of the 21st Century understand why rain forests are so important in maintaining the delicate balance of the earth’s atmosphere. So how can humans whether in Space or closed environments like offices or apartment building? Well NASA used tropical plants in the experiment and the research showed that these types of plants are particularly effective at processing gases and chemicals. Tropical plants have geneses in dense rain-forests with very little light and as such the evolved to be very efficient at photosynthesis, which includes the absorption of gases from the air. NASA found that the plants with a soil with an activated carbon component created a secondary effect that as plants transpire (emit water from the leaves), air is drawn down around the roots, where root microbes quickly adapt and begin “eating” the harmful chemicals that are absorbed. The plants used in the experiment have been generally accepted as reducing toxic chemicals in indoor environments. Result - clean air naturally!

Three (3) common houseplants Areca Palm, Pathos Plant and the Snake Plant (seen in the photo above L-R) can be found at No Ka Oi Nursery in Hanapepe and can be used use indoors to promote a cleaner environment at work or at home.

A home or office building is not the same as a research lab but having plenty of healthy interior plants leads to a healthier environment and is much nicer than artificial air fresheners!











Friday, August 13, 2010

Tips for finding a good landscape maintenance provider

Searching for a landscape service for your property? Here are few things that you should keep in mind - the first being not all landscape services companies are created equal.

We have an inside joke at NKO…”When you have been disappointed by the rest …call the BEST! NKO routinely get calls from homeowners and property managers who are dissatisfied with the results of their current landscape and often they are paying a fair amount for service.

Care for your property should be something to take seriously. After all, it provides enjoyment, beauty, effects property value and can save (or cost) you money on energy and water.

If you decide to hire a landscape service, make sure you get the right one for you. Different properties have different needs for their landscapes. Some simply want someone who will mow the lawn and fertilize it on occasion. Others want perfect yards with lush lawns and weed-free flowerbeds.

If all you are looking for is basic lawn mowing and maybe some leaf raking and debris clean up, then the neighborhood kid who mows lawns is probably landscape service enough for you. And that is just fine. It helps a young kid learn the value of working for her or his money, and you have an easier time of caring for your lawn.

If you like to have a nice yard, but do not want to do anything with it yourself, then a more full-service operation is probably what you need in the way of landscape maintenance.

When choosing who will take care of your landscape maintenance needs, the first thing you should do is seek out a reputable company. A reputable company is one that has reliable references, and one that has a satisfied customer base.

Another thing to look for in a landscape maintenance service is the equipment. Does it look to be in good shape? You want a company that takes good care of its equipment; that shows that they are more likely to take good care of your yard.

Do not necessarily go with the cheapest service. The cheapest may not always be the best deal. If you are habitually dissatisfied with the cheaper work that may affect you in ways that make it worth it to pay more for landscape maintenance that is of higher quality.

Find a company that cares about customer service. Companies that do not care about customer service will probably not do a good job on your yard.

You should look for a service that takes pride in its work. If the company says it specializes in lawn care ask if they guarantee their results.

Look for a company that has a “sustainable” approach to maintenance. The “right plant in the right place” is a way of looking at landscaping in a modern view. This approach will reduce the use of precious water, plant native to your climate and reduce the amount of additives to save money and the environment.