A trellis creates a living frame around a garden fountain.

A climbing frame looks elegant with or without plants.

If you think of your garden as a canvas, then a custom designed trellis is like a living sculpture. Aesthetically combining ornamental metal work and climbing plants, a custom trellis can be an expression of both your green thumb and your artistic taste. It can be a simple flat panel or a three-dimensional sculpture that looks terrific bare or with vines.
A trellis can add a strong focal point to a large expanse of wall. It can serve as a wall for an arbor or a post for a ramada. Stand-alone trellises are useful for dividing garden “rooms” or screening unsightly areas. A trellis can also be used to create a living frame around another element, such as a fountain or garden art.
In choosing a trellis, remember that the design should complement the architecture of your home, as well as existing elements in the garden. Take into account its location and the plants it will support. If it will be covered by a climbing plant that remains lush year-round, like star jasmine or tangerine crossvine, then a very simple design is best. In this case, you can save money by using a metal grid like the type used for laying cement. This grid can be enhanced by framing it with thicker poles or an unconventional shape.

A decorative trellis screens an air conditioning unit.

If you want the trellis for delicate specimens, such as snapdragon vine, or summer vines like queen’s wreath, consider a decorative design that provides sculptural beauty as well as plant support. Curved supports can be used to create a more organic feeling than standard lattice work. Another innovative touch is to create a window-like opening at the top of a stand-alone trellis by leaving space between the uppermost bar and the top frame. This creates visibility between garden “rooms.”
The ideal metal trellis for Southwestern gardens is constructed of steel with a rusted finish. Steel is highly durable, easy to maintain and never needs painting. Steel provides a strong structure that will be able to support the weight of a climbing plant as it matures. This is especially important for heavy, woody climbers such as grapevines. The rich earth tones of a rusted finish beautifully complement a garden setting. Glass, other metals, ceramics and wood can be used as accents.
Custom trellises are an excellent investment for your yard. Offering both year-round beauty and durability, they add a unique, personalized dimension to your garden.

Tidi Ozeri is an Israeli metal artist now living in Tucson. He owns Ozeri Metal Designs.  ozerimetaldesigns.com
Reprinted with permission from Northern Pima County Women’s Journal.

If you have a central air conditioning system, be sure to get it checked by a professional.

Consumers may be unaware that the HVAC/R (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration) industry does not require technicians to take mandatory competency tests. However, many technicians go through voluntary testing to obtain certification from North American Technician Excellence, the nation’s largest independent, third-party, non-profit certification body for HVAC/R technicians.

To find a qualified local contractor who employs certified technicians, look for the NATE logo on the company’s site or promotional materials, or go to www.HVACRAdvice.com.

Once a technician has confirmed that your equipment is installed and operating properly, there are several things you can do to keep energy bills to a minimum:

• Raise the thermostat about five degrees. Each degree saves a percentage off your cooling energy bill.

• Don’t obstruct airflow around air conditioner units. Keep them clear of plants and debris.

• Clean the air filters. Check them every couple of weeks and change them at least twice in the season, or as directed by the manufacturer.

• Review last year’s energy bills and keep an eye on cooling costs throughout the season to monitor for major increases or inconsistencies.

As homeowners continue to adopt eco-friendly, high-efficiency products and appliances, it’s important to realize that even the greenest equipment can waste money and energy if it’s not installed, serviced and maintained properly.

Natasha Winnik stocks water-based wood stains at Originate. (Deborah Mayaan)

I used some green blue paint on my walls last week, and ordered some green green paint and green purple paint. These are not artsy descriptions of green tints, but rather a palette of environmentally friendly paints I got from Originate Natural Building Materials Showroom here in Tucson. Originate was able to match shades I needed, so I had the convenience of buying locally, while still getting the most natural materials. Before Originate opened in October of 2003, Tucsonans who desired nontoxic and natural building supplies had to order by mail and the internet.

In doing recent renovations on the house I bought recently, I was also able to get a low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) grout sealer, a healthier drywall mud that also worked for some spackling and minor stucco repair indoors. Originate also supplied a water-based wood stain and floor wax to apply over it. I appreciated the convenience of seeing the actual colors of the stains rather than squinting at color swatches online, and being able to buy several small jars and play with them to find the right shade before ordering a larger container.

While I did some of the renovations myself, I hired people to do most of the work. Natasha Winnik, owner of Originate, notes that it is important to be proactive and not assume that a painter, contractor, interior designer or architect will know about materials such as low-VOC caulks and adhesives. The owner who wants the healthiest materials needs to seek them out and tell tradespeople what they want; otherwise, home improvement contractors will just use what they are familiar with. Originate can also provide referrals to contractors familiar with natural materials.

The advice I would add is to double-check with each person involved to be clear on the sequence of materials for each aspect of a project. Because of a communications mixup, the wrong material was applied to one of my floors, resulting in stickiness that took longer to cure.

Winnik notes that the prices of many natural materials have come down a great deal over the last five years due to increased demand and improved production methods. Natural paints in particular may sell at prices that are the same or lower than conventional paints.

When prices are higher, she encourages buyers to think about all that is involved in the production. Countertops made from recycled glass and concrete are more expensive than granite because they are made in the United States in healthy working conditions by workers who are paid a living wage and receive medical insurance. A majority of the materials at Originate are made in the United States.

Here in Tucson, the Fairfax Companies employs workers to take construction debris dropped off at its landfills to produce sustainable products. When I visited, they were out of stock on the crushed concrete I wanted to use instead of gravel for my driveway, but another supplier, Big Truck, had some and delivered it in, yes, a very big truck. While most of the material is light gray, there are some interesting color variations from the variety of concrete sources. A few bits of tile, plastic and wire also came with it, but the additional labor cost of removing the small volume of debris was made up for by the cost of the material compared to gravel.

Rather than using crushed concrete to make all the paths on my property, I got a sample of coarse wood chips from Fairfax’s landfill site (they are also available at selected retail locations). There is a nice springy feel to the path section I laid out. I decided to go with wood chips for now because I am in an interim point in my renovation plan. I need some sort of pathways in place before the monsoon turns my yard to mud, but I’m not yet clear on how I’m going to contour the earth and direct rainwater. I am following the advice local rainwater harvesting expert Brad Lancaster, who says, “Begin with long and thoughtful observation.” (See Lancaster’s “Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, Volume I: Guiding Principles to Welcome Rain into Your Life and Landscape.”) If I decide to later dig up an area and contour it, the wood chips will be much easier to move (or simply let decay in place) than gravel, which can become mixed with the soil permanently. The Fairfax Companies’ chips come from green matter that arrived at the landfill. Another supplier, Romeo Tree Service, creates mulch and firewood directly from mesquite and palm tree trimmings.

As well as buying recycled materials, I also looked for salvaged materials at Originate, the HabiStore, and Gersons Used Building Materials. While some basics were abundant, such as light fixtures and outlet covers, I discovered that wall-mounted medicine cabinets were snatched up quickly. I was fortunate enough to arrive at Gersons shortly after one arrived and took it, even though the mirror had some chipped edges. After painting the body of the cabinet white to match the trim in the bathroom, I took some of the room’s lavender wall paint and created a floral design along the edges of the mirror to cover the wear.

Reusing materials scattered about my property has also been a time and money saver. When I first saw that the landing between the two outbuildings only had a small patch of finished surface of 4 x 8” red brick pavers, I checked on the price of pavers and had a bit of sticker shock. They were over twice as much per square foot as plain 12” x 12” concrete pavers. Pieces of stone to fill in and extend a stretch of grey flagstone walkway were even pricier. But searching the property turned into a scavenger hunt. The previous owners had salvaged pieces of concrete and stacked them to make retaining walls. While they varied too much in depth to readily make a solid surface between the outbuildings, several were of just the right size to fill in the gaps in the grey flagstone walkway. And there were enough red brick pavers scattered about to shrink the price of the pavers I’ll need to buy to a mere $15.

While quick calls showed that salvage yards didn’t have these pavers in stock, at least I can combine buying these with a list of other items I need from the hardware store — planning well and saving on work time and transportation costs are also part of sustainable building.

Resources:

Big Truck: Crushed concrete as a gravel substitute – 304-0606

The Fairfax Companies: See website for locations to buy directly at a landfill site or from retailers that carry its products www.thefairfaxcompanies.com/recycled-products.cfm

Gersons Used Building Materials: 1811 S. Park Ave. at E. 29th St. 624-8585. www.gersons.net

HabiStore: New location, 935 W. Grant Road. 889-7200. www.habitattucson.org/habistore/

Originate Natural Building Materials Showroom: 526 N. 9th Ave. 792-4207. www.originatenbm.com

Romeo Tree Service (Tucson Urban Firewood / Mulch): 603-0143. Bags are available at Whole Foods Natural Markets.

Deborah Mayaan is an energy work and flower essence practitioner and writer based in Tucson. www.deborahmayaan.com

A recent study conducted by Merillat, a leading manufacturer of cabinetry, examined what consumers think about when they’re purchasing a home. The study found that the kitchen sways more minds than any other room, followed by the great room and the master bedroom.

“The kitchen is the gathering place for special occasions, family functions and day-to-day activities, which is why it is so important for prospective buyers to ensure their new kitchen will meet the needs of their family from a design and functionality prospective,” said Paul Radoy, manager of design services for Merillat.

Try creating a checklist to help you decide whether a kitchen is right for you. Ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I like the layout of the kitchen? Consider the kitchen from an overall perspective, and keep all the items that will require storage in mind.

2. Does the kitchen look comfortable? Do I feel good when I’m in it? You should feel at home right away.

3. Does the kitchen help facilitate casual interactions with family and friends? Consider the views into the surrounding rooms, like the living and dining areas. Can you easily associate with family and friends?

4. Is the cabinetry durable and well-built? Is the finish on the cabinetry smooth and consistent? Investigate the cabinet interiors to determine whether they’re covered with a durable water- and stain-resistant material or a lower-quality product. Make sure that the color of the interior complements the exterior.

5. Does the kitchen have visual impact or a good focal point like an island, cooking grotto or other unique feature? Islands are a useful feature that many homeowners desire. When examining an island, identify the tasks or storage functions it serves to decide whether it will meet your needs.

6. Does the kitchen have adequate storage space and built-in features to accommodate my possessions? Merillat’s study found that, after remodeling a kitchen, many homeowners find that they didn’t include enough storage features. Don’t overlook features like drawer organizers, pull-out trays and Lazy Susans.

Dichroic glass mezuzot cases by Tucson artist Daryl Cohen (www.glassdesignbydarylcohen.com)

Surfing the Internet you find the darndest things, including a mezuzah and scroll “box” you can download to your computer screen. According to the eMezuzah sales pitch (at http://download.cnet.com/ eMezuzahh/3000-2135_4-10170822.html) the scroll is available in both English and Hebrew.

When you think about it — since the Internet has become a very real doorway to the world, and Torah commands us to place a mezuzah on the doorway into our home to remind us, among other things, to bring only good and honorable things into our home — it makes a kind of why-not? sense to “affix” a mezuzah to the door into cyberspace.

I mention this cyberspace mezuzah because the mezuzah is one of our oldest ceremonial objects. According to the Encyclopedia Judaica, mezuzot date back to our days of bondage in Egypt, and probably evolved from the Egyptian custom of placing or carving sacred inscriptions into the doorposts of homes. By the time of the destruction of the Second Temple (70 CE/AD), however, mezuzot had become a permanent and unique part of Jewish culture and tradition, though they were not usually affixed to doorposts. Rather, they were “buried” inside them (which, by the way, was the custom in many areas of Europe till around 1800).

In the late Middle Ages, as the religious fanaticism and economic instability generated by the Crusades began turning much of Southern Europe and the Middle East into witch hunt and war zones, many Jews began adding extra verses, angels’ names, and symbols, such as the Star of David, to mezuzot.

The 12th century physician-scholar Moses Maimonides campaigned vigorously against this kabalistic use of mezuzot. In his writings he lamented: “Those fools defeat … a great commandment … [by] turning the mezuzah into an amulet for their selfish interest …[which is] the preservation of transitory worldly goods.”

Eventually Maimonides’ arguments prevailed. Today mezuzot contain only text.

Most of us think of a mezuzah as a package deal: a mezuzah box and the scroll it contains. Most of us are wrong.

A mezuzah — which literally means doorpost — is just the scroll, which is usually a piece of parchment between three and six inches square with 22 lines of Torah text (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (Sh’ma) and Deuteronomy 11:13-21 (V’ahavata)) inscribed upon it. Technically this parchment could be tacked or glued to the right-hand doorpost of a home’s entry and/or the right-hand doorpost of a home’s interior rooms and the commandment to “inscribe these words upon the doorposts” would be fulfilled.

However, because mezuzot are often placed outside where the elements could destroy them, and because ­acknowledging them means touching them with fingertips that are often dirty, and because they are costly (depending on the skill and artistry of the sofer, or scribe, who creates it), they have traditionally been stored, rolled from left to right, in a mezuzah box or case.

These boxes and cases, which serve holy, practical, and aesthetic purposes, can be made by non-Jews and they can be made of anything — wood, stone, clay, porcelain, silver, brass, pewter, copper, aluminum, glass, plastic.

However, the nicer the protective case or box the more honor it shows to the scroll within. Reflecting this fact, since the late 1940s, mezuzot boxes/cases have become both more artistic and individualistic in design. Indeed, there are highly competitive contests today — masquerading as art exhibits — dedicated to the promotion of box and case design.

While boxes and cases can be made of anything, mezuzah scrolls can be made of only one thing, klaf, parchment made from the split hide of a kosher animal.

And they can only be written, with a special quill pen and special black ink, by a sofer trained to write in the Assyrian-style characters used for both mezuzot and Torah scrolls. The characters must be so legibly written that a child can read them easily and the mezuzah must be error free. Even one mistake — an ink blot, a mis-shaped letter, a mis-spelled word — renders them invalid. The mindful vigilance necessary to produce mezuzah text is probably a major reason that the sofer must recite each word as he copies it onto the parchment.

Vigilance is also necessary in the care of a mezuzah. Before it is placed in its box or case, it should be wrapped in protective paper that breathes, such as acid-free tissue paper. Once a box or case has been affixed to a doorpost, two times in every seven years all mezuzot boxes or cases in a home must be taken down and the scrolls inside unrolled and checked for damage by a sofer.

Tears, foxing (discoloration due to mold), water spots, or deterioration of the parchment due to seasonal climate changes can make a mezuzah invalid and require its replacement. However, cracked or peeling ink can often be “repaired” by the sofer so that the mezuzah can be returned to its place of honor on the home’s doorposts.

Eileen Beal, a freelance writer, is a former associate editor at the Cleveland Jewish News.

‘Inscribe these words upon the doorposts’: how to hang a mezuzah

When you move into a new home or apartment, you are commanded to install mezuzot within the first 30 days.

A mezuzah is always affixed to the main entrance doorway(s). However, if you choose, you can also affix them to the doorways of the home’s main rooms (i.e. living room, bedrooms, but not bathrooms, storage rooms, etc.).

To affix a mezuzah use either double-sided tape, screws, or nails. The first two methods are recommended because it’s difficult to damage the box/case with them, and they make removal easier.

Place the mezuzah only on the right-hand doorpost (as you enter), and as close to the outer edge of the doorpost as possible. If there are small children in the house, position it within their reach.

Position the mezuzah in a slanted position (about 45 degrees) so the top points toward the inside of the house or room and so that the Hebrew word Shaddai (Almighty), which is written on the back of the parchment, is facing outward (e.g. toward the other doorpost). If slanting is not possible, due to the narrowness of the doorframe, vertical positioning is acceptable.

While the mezuzah is held in place recite: Baruch ata Adonai, Elo-heinu Melech Ha’olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitz’v-tav, vi’tzivanu lik-bo-a mezuzah (Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His mitzvot, and commanded us to affix a mezuzah). Then “fix” the mezuzah box to the doorpost.

If other mezuzot are to be placed throughout the home, recite the blessing when the first one is placed, then put up the rest as quickly as possible without saying another prayer. —E.B.

Components of a rainwater harvesting system found at a foreclosed property in Tucson

Looking for a green home has become easier, thanks to an upgrade to the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) that lets realtors mark options in eco-friendly categories such as lot design, water and energy efficiency, and indoor air quality. In Tucson, looking for some green features or evaluating the potential of a home to become more green is more realistic than expecting to find a home with extensive green features on the market, says Barrie Herr, who serves on the MLS com-­mittee.

Herr and his wife, Janie Herr, were green long before they started working as real estate agents. When they moved to Tucson in 1975 and owned and operated a plastics factory, they viewed recycling and sustainability as good business practices. They later started Arizona Waste Exchange to provide a clearinghouse for the reuse of industrial wastes, and Herr was an original member of the Tucson Clean & Beautiful recycling outreach program.

When they began working as real estate agents in the early ’90s, it was natural for them to look at things from a green perspective. Herr has trained to earn the GREEN Realtor designation and continues to educate himself. Recently, he attended a webinar on signing contracts electronically, which reduces driving.

Green perspectives evolve over time. When the Herrs bought their house 18 years ago, they weren’t aware of rainwater harvesting and followed the conventional wisdom to direct water to flow off their lot. They’ve since created retention basins on their property. Since water is such a key issue in our area, the Tucson Association of Realtors is raising funds to place a cistern on its property.

The internationally recognized Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council provides third-party verification that a building was designed and built using green strategies. While the LEED system awards points to green features, each house needs to be assessed to determine priorities in renovations. In one house, it may make sense to focus on insulation, but in another, investing in a rainwater harvesting system will pay for itself sooner. Homeowners need to figure the cash outlay and payback time for any green improvement, says Herr, who recommends having an energy audit to determine how to best invest renovation dollars.

Herr also cautions people to distinguish between true green marketing and the practice of greenwashing, promoting a building as green when it isn’t. While a bathroom exhaust fan gets a point in the LEED system, that alone doesn’t make for a green home, says Herr.

Some homes built in the last round of construction, before the housing market decline, were built in a more energy-conscious way and earned an energy-efficient designation from Tucson Electric Power, says Herr.

When examining the orientation of the house, a potential buyer can see where a patio or trees may be needed to shade windows or a glass wall. Orientation is also a factor in assessing placement of solar panels or a rooftop solar water-heating system. Instead of solar, an electric hot water on demand unit for the kitchen or bathroom is another energy-efficient option.

Some distressed properties such as short sales or foreclosures may be an even better value because they include partially completed green renovations. Homeowners may have started a project and then needed to move, lost jobs, or divorced, says Herr.

When I searched for a home with green potential here in Tucson, I found one house that listed partial bamboo flooring. But another house with parts of a rainwater harvesting system installed didn’t have the system listed. The bank’s agent might not have recognized the components, since the cistern was missing.

I bought that house at the beginning of December and approach renovations in a spirit of adventure. Most foreclosed homes have been neglected to some extent. Rather than just delving into green renovations, I first attended to basic plumbing and electrical repairs and routine roof maintenance.

To operate in a financially as well as environmentally sustainable fashion, I curbed the impulse to immediately put in a glamorous solar system, and instead invested in energy-efficient windows and insulation in time to get the federal tax credit for energy efficiency that was set to expire at the end of 2010. This tax credit has since been extended through 2011 (albeit reduced), while the tax credit for solar and other renewable energy systems continues through 2016. The only solar investments I made in 2010 were the small cost of installing a solar-powered attic fan before the attic insulation was installed, and buying a solar oven (a portable cooker designed to be used outdoors on sunny days).

When it comes to selling a green home, Herr says that while most people prefer to live more green, sellers must consider convenience and cost factors. In a more normal market, making some green improvements could make a home more marketable. But in these times, a seller may not recoup the costs of the improvements, says Herr. While tax credits and rebates help, none pay all the costs of improvements.

As I was buying my Tucson house, I was also preparing to sell the house I inherited from my mother in Ohio. I chose to make only one major green modification: radon remediation. Radon, an odorless gas that is a decay product of uranium, causes lung cancer. Many homes in northeastern Ohio have high radon levels. Radon also occurs at high levels in some homes in Tucson, but it can be mitigated.

Homeowners may be in denial about the health effects of radon, both because they’re wary of the cost of remediation and because they’d have to acknowledge that they may have been breathing radon for much of their lives. Remediation costs under $1,000 for an average-sized house with a basement, to vent radon from the basement to the outside so it doesn’t accumulate in the house.

My uncle was concerned that my plan for radon remediation could make it harder to sell the house. The first real estate agent I interviewed, a family friend, did not understand the radon issue at all. So I searched on the National Association of Realtors website and found the one real estate agent in that zip code who has green certification. She and her boss represented the house well, and I was also fortunate that an article on radon came out in the local paper shortly after I put the house on the market. I had a buyer in a few weeks, when there was over 16 months of inventory of homes in that area. The buyers had an inspection done; if I had not already completed the radon remediation, rather than closing at the end of this month, I might have had to delay the closing or lost the sale altogether.

Resources

Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (www.dsireusa.org/incentives)

Green Homes Tucson (the Herrs’ site, www.greenhomestucson.com)

National Association of Realtors (site to search for agents with specific designations such as ‘GREEN’ — www.realtor.com/realestateagents

National Association of Realtors Green Resource Council (www.greenresourcecouncil.org)

Pima County Green Building Program (www.pimaxpress.com/green)

Radon information for Arizona (www.arra.state.az.us/RadonWeb)

Tucson Clean & Beautiful (www.tucsonaz.gov/tcb/)

Tucson Multiple Listing Service (www.tarmls.com/)

Deborah Mayaan is an energy work practitioner and writer based in Tucson. www.deborahmayaan.com.

One of more than a dozen watergardens at Gail Barnhill’s home in Tucson

For years, I’d longed for a gurgling watergarden pond brimming with blooming waterlilies, frolicking goldfish and darting dragon and damselflies but had no idea how to go about it.

Fourteen years ago I finally had it with the “wishing and hoping” and bought a 300-gallon Rubbermaid stock tank, dug a (big) hole, stuck the tank in it, filled it with water, plants and fish and much to my surprise — it thrived!

I enjoyed it so much that four years later I founded The Tucson Watergardeners, a garden club dedicated to educating the public (and each other) about our favorite “water sport.” In the 10 years since, I’ve learned much more and have built 12 more watergardens ranging from 1 gallon to 1,500 gallons. If you’d like to experience the joy of watergardening, here are two key considerations and lots of tips:

• Put the watergarden where you’ll enjoy it most, but try to avoid too much shade or tree debris, and especially electric, gas and water lines — contact Arizona Blue Stake, Inc., at 1-800-STAKEIT first!

• Unless you want to just dabble with the idea to get your feet wet, so to speak, build a watergarden larger than you think you want. Believe me, even the biggest watergarden gets small when you start filling it with all those “must have” waterlilies and fishies — otherwise you’ll end up with 14 watergardens like I did!

Watergardens can be constructed in many ways:

• Preformed liners — basically, you dig a hole the shape of the liner and plop the liner in. Beware of those with shallow shelves as they can cause stagnant areas that are algae prone;

• Flexible liners — the most common are EPDM by Firestone (more flexible, heavier, perhaps more puncture prone) and PPL24 (less flexible, lighter, said to be more puncture resistant) that you drape into a predug hole (lined with sand, old carpet, etc.);

• Construction block or brick — will need a flexible liner inside;

• Large decorative pots — seal the drainhole and paint the inside with several coats of black exterior latex paint if not glazed (you can also use an oak barrel with a liner);

• Poured concrete — unless you have experience, best done by a professional.

I’ve built (by myself) all of the above, except poured concrete, which I’ll definitely use to build the lake/watergarden — when I win the lottery! You can even convert an unused swimming pool into a watergarden, but that’s another method that’s best left to professionals.

Other things you’ll need to think about:

• A pump to make your pond “sing”: Pumps are rated with GPH (gallons per hour). At minimum, you should turn over the gallonage in your pond at least once an hour so a 1,000-gallon pond should have a 1,000 GHP pump. I prefer a pump at least twice the GPH as your volume of water, as each bend or turn in the tubing from the pump and each foot of height it needs to push the water through decreases the effective GPH. Plus a stronger pump gives you the ability to add other water features to your watergarden such as spouts and brimming pots.

• It is best to have a filter with a pond over 100 gallons or so — or if you are a glutton for every cute fish that needs a home. The best is a biofilter, which is basically a container outside of or incorporated into the watergarden (mine is the top tier of a three-tier pond), which is filled with a filtering medium that the water from the pump will flow through before returning to the main pond. This medium sets up macrobiotic colonies that cleanse the water. The filtering medium can be anything that creates a lot of surface area: pea gravel (cheap, heavy and needs frequent cleaning); lava rock (cheap, sharp but needs less cleaning); “bio-balls” (expensive … never tried them); and my favorite, shaved PVC (yes, from PVC pipe) contained in a net lingerie bag (relatively expensive but lightweight, only needs cleaning every couple of years). Actually, you could use a bunch of excess hair curlers … the idea is to have a lot of surface space in which the microbes can set up housekeeping. In-pond filters are usually much less effective, difficult to reach and need frequent cleaning.

• Plants — besides waterlilies, which are magnificent, there is a wide variety of tall and short, exotic or grassy-leaved and free-floating plants with which to fill your watergarden (or, if you’re not careful — overfill, thus requiring another pond).

• Fish are mesmerizing to watch gliding around your watergarden — they are like moving jewels! But think about the “rule of fish”: 1 inch of fish for each square foot of water surface. Try goldfish, which are easy to keep in a watergarden, are cheap (12 for $1 feeder goldfish that grow to 6 or 8 inches and are quite colorful) but avoid the short- bodied goldfish, which aren’t as hardy; Shubunkins (basically multicolored goldfish); even guppies (though they are less cold hardy); and a must-have, mosquito fish (gambusia). Even though they are the most beautiful, beware of Koi. From personal experience I can tell you they can quickly grow to 27 inches and 10 pounds in a few short years, are very destructive to waterplants and create a lot of waste. With an appropriate number of goldfish, they don’t even have to be fed because they’ll feast on pond “critters”/larva and algae. Avoid naming your fish … the Great Blue Heron resides and dines all over Tucson (remember those 10-pound Koi I used to have?).

• Algae — you are guaranteed to have an annual algae bloom. It’s Mother Nature telling you spring is coming so celebrate it! There are many types of algae: What is called “side slime algae” is that which covers the sides of your pond, any pots (or rocks) and is a good algae as it provides 60 percent of the oxygen to your pond; algae that is disliked (I won’t call it “bad”) is either “green water” algae that prevents you from seeing down into your water or “string/hair algae,” which, when scooped out of the pond and wrung out looks like green string or hair. To prevent these types of algae, 60 to 70 percent of your water surface should be shaded by pond plants (or terrestrial plantings), and fish waste or plant debris should be kept to a minimum. The two things algae crave are sunlight and nutrients. Do not use chemicals or drain your pond to get rid of algae — all you’d be doing is creating an environment with fresh nutrients (from the water) to start the cycle over again. Over six weeks to six months, a new pond will “balance” itself, provided you haven’t overloaded it with fish, or underplanted it. Fall/winter is a great (cool) time to dig holes for ponds as the pond can establish itself over the cool months and have less of an algae bloom in spring. A word about non-waterplant shading: if you shade your watergarden with a cover or trees to prevent algae, you are also stunting the growth of waterplants that would naturally prevent algae.

• Mosquitos — They love stagnant water (another plus to having a pump and running, musical water). While goldfish will eat some mosquito larva, the aforementioned mosquito fish will eat much more. As an added precaution I also use Mosquito Dunks — which are a natural “Bti.” (Bacillus thuringienis ssp. Israelensis) that affect only mosquito larvae, killing them before they can hatch and bite. They resemble mini two-inch donuts or bagels, and can also be broken up for smaller areas such as pot saucers.

• RELAX — and enjoy your watergarden! I’ve gardened in Tucson for 32 years, have an English country garden in my back yard, a native garden in my front yard — and all 14 of my watergardens put together require much less work to maintain than the rest of my gardens! I’ve often said my garden is the music of my life … and the watergardens are the melody.

To learn more about watergardening, visit tucsonwatergardeners.org for photos, events (our plant sale in May is the best/cheapest source of waterplants in Tucson), tours (every September — “see before trying,” get ideas visiting local homeowners’ watergardens), free meetings, plant exchanges and articles. If you still have questions, give me a call (296-1074) or e-mail me by clicking on “questions” at the bottom of the website.

Gail M. Barnhill, aka “The Pond Lady,” is an executive assistant at the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona.

EarthBox® with seedlings (Deborah Mayaan)

Even as the lights of Chanukah dwindle, we continue to connect to our ancestors and rededicate our land. It’s not too late to plant a winter garden and enjoy eating greens into the spring, including bitter herbs for the Passover Seder. While seeds have a low germination rate when planted in cold weather, there are two options, says Murray De Armond, a master gardener at the University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension.

Seeds can be planted in flats indoors and then transplanted into the ground. Vendors at local farmers’ markets also offer plants. Recently I found kale and broccoli plants at one of these popular markets.

In early January, it will be time to plant onion sets. De Armond recommends planning ahead and ordering them over the Internet.

If you don’t have a vegetable bed ready, Marylee Pangman, owner of The Contained Gardener, offers classes on container gardening, and also provides resources on her website.

When I visited her shop on Fort Lowell Road, I was struck by the riot of colors; some of her flowers are edible, including nasturtium, pansy, calendula and dianthus. She mixes flowers with vegetables such as lettuce and Swiss chard.

As someone new to container gardening, I was impressed that organic potting soil was available. It’s also possible to use some of the soil from my garden bed, but Pangman cautions that plain desert soil does not have enough nutrients to sustain garden plants. She suggests devices to place under pots, so that the moisture does not harm wooden decking. A moisture sensor may be a good investment, since Pangman says that 95 percent of plant failures are due to inappropriate watering. People who travel a lot may also consider an irrigation line on a timer.

Plants in containers can be more susceptible to cold than those in the ground, but they can also be placed in more protected areas, says Pangman. Keeping soil moist before a freeze helps the plants stay warmer.

When choosing plants, it is important to know what kind of gardener you are, says Pangman — ­if you are a “rescuer” who wants to care for tender plants that may be killed by a freeze, or if you are a “survival of the fittest” gardener who prefers hardier plants that will compost if they can’t withstand more extreme weather conditions.

She advises picking plants with similar needs for sun (full, shade, or mixed), and water (high or low). For an attractive container garden, Pangman suggests choosing plants that are proportionate to the container. Including at least one plant that is as tall as the container makes a dramatic statement, and it may be surrounded with mid-height plants for depth. Plants that trail over the sides add another pleasing effect.

A friend who travels back and forth between two homes takes her garden with her by using an EarthBox®. Wheels on the bottom make it easier to move inside and outside during transitional weather. A chamber at the bottom of the box is filled with water via a piece of pipe that is open at the top. To learn more, see www.earth box.com.

What to plant now

For those who would like to plant seeds, De Armond recommends these vegetables: bok choy, beets (Detroit dark red,  early red ball), broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cilantro, kale, leaf lettuces (Buttercrunch, Bibb,  romaine, oak leaf), parsley, peas (sugar peas, snow peas), radish and spinach.
In early January, onion sets can be planted. De Armond recommends ordering Texas Supersweet or Granex over the Internet.

Deborah Mayaan is an energy healing and flower essence practitioner based in Tucson. www.deborah mayaan.com

Resources:

EarthBox, see http://earthbox.com.

The Contained Gardener, 733-3359, www.containedgardener.com

University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension, 4210 N. Campbell, 626-5161

Drowning is the second-leading cause of accidental death for children under five in the United States, and each year thousands of children are treated in hospitals for drowning and near-drowning.

“It can happen anywhere, in ordinary neighborhoods and it can happen to caring, vigilant parents,” says Marcia Kerr, an investigator for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission who lost her own son in a pool drowning accident. “Homeowners should take steps immediately to ensure the safety of children who live in or visit their homes. Layers of protection are essential.”

Here are some tips from the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) to help you identify pool dangers and add proper protections:

• Install Isolation Fencing: Isolation fencing should separate your pool from your home, either totally surrounding the pool or enclosing all doors leading from the home. This helps protect children who get out the door from moving beyond the patio. For above-ground pools, a smaller fence and gate surrounding the steps or ladder can be effective in preventing toddler access. And parents of toddlers should keep “doggy doors” locked or within fenced areas.

“Constant adult supervision is vital, but most parents of toddlers will agree it’s impossible to supervise children every second of every day,” says the NDPA’s executive director, Kristin Goffman. “Isolation fencing can help prevent unauthorized access to a pool during those brief moments when caregivers realize their child is missing.”

• Use Alarms: If the house forms one side of the barrier to the pool, doors leading to the pool area should be protected with alarms that sound when the door is unexpectedly opened. These are reasonably priced, but you must be committed to their use for alarms to provide effective protection.

• Be Prepared — Take Classes: Make sure kids take swimming lessons and check that their guardians by the pool know how to swim. Adults also should know CPR and rescue breathing in case of emergency. And when children are in the pool, designate a “water watcher” to maintain eye-to-eye contact at all times.

• Be Safer: A telephone should be kept poolside so adults never have to leave the area to answer it while children are swimming. And never leave toys in the pool area, or floating devices such as chlorine dispensers that look like toys.

According to research conducted in the United States and Australia, a fence is the only truly-effective barrier, but other protections help. The NDPA recently published its first paper on the subject. With recommendations ranging from fencing to safety devices to water safety, the free paper can be found at www.ndpa.org in the “Safety Tips” section.

By relying on layers of protection around the pool, you can give your family years of safer relaxation and enjoyment. But as many precautionary measures as you take, there is no substitute for proper supervision and awareness of your surroundings.

Sunflower in Deborah Maayan's Tucson garden

When I think of snacks in Israel, along with the ubiquitious Bamba (peanut butter-flavored corn puffs), something healthy comes to mind— sunflower seeds. While I didn’t quite get the hang of splitting shells easily with my teeth like a sabra, I did acquire a taste that I fulfill not only with hulled seeds from the health food store, but from sunflowers growing in my yard.

Sunflowers are native to North America, and a local organization, Native Seeds/SEARCH (www.nativeseeds.org), offers two varieties that grow well in this region. The seeds can both be planted now or during the monsoon rains.

While Tarahumara White is considered suitable for the high desert with an elevation above 3,500 feet, I began growing it when I lived in Three Points at an elevation of 2,800 feet, and have continued to save some of the seeds to replant here in the lower elevation of Tucson. As the name indicates, the hulls are all white. I find the seeds tasty, and I also enjoy seeing the flowers, which are all golden yellow.

The Hopi Black Dye variety is more typical of sunflowers, with a dark center. It produces blue/black seeds. The Hopi call this variety “Tceqa” and use the seeds to dye wool and basket fibers. They also make an eye medicine from the seeds, which are also edible.

Plant scientists think that the sunflower probably entered Europe via Spain and then spread down to the Middle East and Africa. If you’d like to try a variety of sunflowers developed in Israel, Seeds of Change (www.seedsofchange.com) offers a wide selection, with evocative names such as Zohar (splendor or radiance, and the name of a key kabbalistic text), Endurance, Jerusalem Gold, Jerusalem Lemon Glory, Jerusalem Sunrise Lemon, and the Jerusalem Dwarf that is small enough for container gardens.

The sunflower head is not a single flower, but rather is made of 1,000-2,000 individual flowers joined at a receptacle. Bees and other insects spread the pollen from flower to flower. If you plant only one variety, when you harvest the seeds and plant some, they will produce the same type of flower. If you plant several varieties, insects may carry the pollen from one variety to another, producing a new hybrid.

When bees are present, sunflowers have a higher yield, although all will produce some sterile seeds that are all shell and no “meat.”

As their name implies, sunflowers love the sun, and require full sun. Their leaves are phototropic, meaning that they follow the sun’s rays.This produces a subtle dancing effect; the plants move as the sun crosses the sky.

Just as humans love to eat sunflower seeds, so do birds. If you’d like to harvest more of the seeds yourself, fright owls, scarecrows and fluttering aluminum strips all have some deterrent action, although birds tend to adapt over time and ignore the items set out to scare them.

Once sunflower seeds mature, they need drying time before their moisture content drops enough for long-term storage. In our climate, I find that simply leaving the flower heads out to dry works well.

As well as fat and protein, sunflower seeds provide vitamin E, minerals and fiber. Sunflower butter is available at health food stores, or you can try grinding your own (some juicers come with attachments for grinding nut butter). Since pressing my own sunflower oil is hard to imagine, I buy it from the health food store and enjoy its light taste as well as the beneficial vitamin E and unsaturated fats. Sunflower sprouts make a tasty addition to salads. If you don’t want to soak and rinse your own, many local health food stores and some farmers’ markets offer sunflower greens from local growers.

Probably the best health benefit I enjoy from sunflowers is the boost to my mood as I gaze upon their sunny faces each day in the garden.

Deborah Mayaan is an energy healing and flower essence practitioner based in Tucson. www.deborah mayaan.com