It really feels like the thaw is for real, and little bulbs are up, so gardening's on my mind. Here's a list of books that are great reads for new gardeners and gardeners interested in going green outdoors. All have information useful for gardening in Calgary, even the ones whose authors live south of us.

1. All New Square foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew. This revised classic focuses on intensive gardening of edibles in small spaces rather than long rows, and is perfect for city gardeners.

2. Eco Yards by Laureen Rama. If you want to go lawn-less in Calgary, this is your go-to guide with excellent information on feeding plants and soil organically.

3. Creating the Prairie Xeriscape by Sara Williams. The updated edition about water-conserving gardens is on order. This is a must-read for its lists of suitable plants.

4. Naturescape Alberta by Myrna Pearman covers a lot of ground and would be a great elementary school teacher resource. It focuses mainly on creating animal and insect habits and is full of information on how to attract birds, frogs, and more.

Feel free to list your eco gardening favorites by commenting. . .

Canadians urged to turn off the lights for Earth Hour CBC website

Turn off your lights tonight between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m.

That's all that the supporters of Earth Hour 2012 are asking you to do.

It's easier than you'd think—fun, even. I blogged about my family's activities last year (Standing in the Dark: Earth Hour 2011) and the year before (Earth Hour 2010). The event is supposed to make us all think about our electricity use and little things we could do to reduce it.

If you'd like to have fun with just the light of the stars, you may want to take advantage of Public Star Night tonight from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. in Fish Creek Park by the Royal Astronomical Society and Fish Creek Provincial Park (it's FREE and there will be BIG telescopes).

Click on the links below for more information on Earth Hour 2012 and events taking place in Calgary tonight:

Earth Hour events in Calgary aimed at raising awareness of global warming: Calgarians asked to minimize energy consumption for one hour on Saturday night Calgary Herald

WWF Earth Hour info page

Will you turn out the lights tonight? I'd love to hear about your Earth Hour 2012 plans in the comments below!

"Sun shines on energy-efficient house" Edmonton Journal

An Edmonton neighbourhood celebrated the grand opening of the Belgravia Green Net Zero Project—three new net-zero energy building homes built through a collaboration between homeowners, local experts and Effect Home Builders, an Edmonton builder specializing in energy-efficient homes. One of the homes is a showhome open for viewings on Sundays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

What exactly is a "net zero energy building (NZEB)?"

Generally speaking, a NZEB is a home that produces as much energy as it consumes over the course of one year. Experts divide net zero energy buildings in to four different categories:

Net-Zero Site Energy — A building that produces and exports at least as much renewable energy as the total energy it imports and uses in a year, when accounted for at the site. The measurement time frame is annual.

Net-Zero Source Energy — A building that produces and exports at least as much renewable energy as the total energy it imports and uses in a year, when accounted for at the source. "Source energy" refers to the primary energy required to generate and deliver the energy to the site. To calculate a building's total source energy, imported and exported energy is multiplied by the appropriate site-to-source conversion multipliers.

Net-Zero Energy Costs — A building where the amount of money a utility pays the building's owner for the renewable energy the building exports to the grid is at least equal to the amount the owner pays the utility for the energy services and energy used over the year.

Net-Zero Energy Emissions — A building that produces and exports at least as much emissions-free renewable energy as it imports and uses from emission-producing energy sources annually. Carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur oxides are common emissions that NZEBs offset.

(source: U.S. Department of Energy)

Below are just a few of the books on green building in the library collection:

	Energy free homes for a small planet: a comprehensive guide to the design, construction, and economics of net-zero energy homes by Ann V. Edminster
	Green Design: From theory to practice by Ken Yeang and Arthur Spector
	Green architecture: advanced technologies and materials by Osman Attmann

If you love fabrics and/or crafting, one of the best green crafting events is just around the corner! For the last five years the Ujamaa Grandmas have held an annual sale, to benefit the Grandmothers Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. The sale is so good that people line up around the block.

The next Ujamaa Grandmas Annual Fabric & Craft Sale is scheduled for April 14, 2012 ~ 9:30 am-3:00 pm. at Woodcliff United Church, 5010 Spruce Drive S.W. Calgary

But, the Ujamaa Grandmas need your help – AND your cast off fabric & yarn in advance. Donations of the following are needed:

• Unused fabric 0.5 meter or longer, unless quilting cotton or exceptional piece
• Yarn
• knitting needles
• Sewing Notions
• Threads
• Patterns
• Embellishments

Donations may be dropped off: Wednesday, April 11th & Thursday, April 12th 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Woodcliff United Church – 5010 Spruce Drive S.W. Calgary

For more information or to volunteer contact: Carla 403-256-2828 carla.lorfing@live.ca

See you at the sale, or on Etsy with your fabulous recycled fabric products!

Celebrate our environment and sustainable living in Calgary
with fun for the whole family!

Fish Creek Library

Thursday, April 12, 2012
5:45 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Fun Activities for Kids
Face-painting and magic 5:45 – 6:45 p.m.
Eco-Storytime with Alderman Peter Demong (ages 2-5) 6:00 – 6:30 p.m.

Voices Of Nature Concert with Holly Arntzen and Kevin Wright
Singers from Canyon Meadows School join Holly and Kevin in standing up and
singing out for nature in a high-energy musical performance. 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Central Library

Saturday, April 14, 2012
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Main Floor – Speakers and demonstrations
Edible and Medicinal Plants with Julie Walker 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
Home-Made Body Products with Sara Haney, 11:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Home-Made Green Cleaning Products with Green Calgary, 12:00 – 12:45 p.m.
Electric Bicycles with Power in Motion 1:00– 1:45 p.m.
Composting and Vermicomposting with the Calgary Horticultural Society 2:00– 2:45 p.m.

2^nd Floor: Fun Activities for Kids
Eco-Scavenger Hunt 10:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Eco-Babies Storytime (6-23 months) 11:15 – 11:45 a.m.
Eco-Storytime (2-5 years) 12:15 – 12:45 p.m.
Green Poetry Slam (Teen/All ages) 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Eco-Friendly Art Drop-in (6-12 years) 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Face-painting, air-brush tattoos and a balloon artist!

Voices Of Nature Concert with Holly Arntzen and Kevin Wright
Singers from Canyon Meadows School join Holly and Kevin in standing up and
singing out for nature in a high-energy musical performance. 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

 Saddletowne Library

Saturday, April 21, 2012
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Ecopalooza Fair 10:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Local organizations share what they're doing to create a greener Calgary with hands on activities.
Fair entertainment: Face-painting, magic, caricaturist, and a balloon artist!

Green Calgary Rain Barrel and Composter Sale
Begins at 10:00 a.m. – until supplies last! More info here.

Eco-Storytime 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Fun stories with an eco-theme for kids aged 2 to 5.

 Wildlife Talk with Lyn Hancock 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
The author and conservationist tells stories and shows pictures
of her exciting adventures saving orphaned wildlife.

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development 10:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Educational trailers 310-FIRE and Respect the Land

For program registration information click here