On Saturday, April 23rd from 10am-2pm, Earth Day Decatur will have lots of family fun activities at Decatur Recreation Center (next to Decatur Library). If the weather is good, we’ll be outside in the front, side, and backyards of the Rec Center. With bad weather, we’ll move events indoors. This event is a partnership between Decatur’s Environmental Sustainability and Active Living Boards and Decatur First United Methodist Church.
Spring is blooming! I have checked the temperatures for April and we seem to be out-of-the-danger-zone for late frosts. With this belief in hand, I decided to sow my wildflower seeds this past weekend using a mix of annuals and perennial seed types adapted for the Central Piedmont of Georgia. As I have written before, soil preparation is crucial. To this end, I turned over the Scarlett Clover into the soil. Scarlett Clover is a legume – a type of plant that harbors bacteria which “fixes” Nitrogen and makes it available for growing plants. The nitrogen and the decaying plants will nourish this year’s seedlings. Plants like Scarlett Clover are called Cover Crops and as they decay, the plants are called Green Manure. As the plants decay, they release their nutrients slowly for optimal uptake by the seedlings and young plants.
I walk the garden and view the plots every few days. Many are looking wonderful – no weeds, a covering of mulch, plantings galore, fencing when needed, and some whimsical additions! All-in-all, the garden is quite beautiful and it will become even more so. However, I strongly encourage those of you with plots that need tending to do so! Weeds are and will take hold and seed quickly in the warming weather. Less work weeding now, than in the future. Remember, the seeds from the weeds in your plot spread to other’s plots. So, help out and tend to your plot sooner rather than later.
As you are working on your plot – remember a few basics! Planting the same type or a member of the same family of plant in the same spot every year degrades the soil and invites pests such as nematodes specific to the type of plant you are hoping to grow to move in. So, I suggest, trying different plants in your plot or at least move them to a new section of your plot. Test your soil’s profile for nutrients needed and for the correct pH. Add what you need and don’t waste money on what you do not need. Weed your plot and cover with a layer of mulch – not too much. Water as needed. It is best to water deeply and less frequently in order to encourage deep root growth. And, never forget to enjoy your plot! Take time to enjoy the smells and sights associated with a healthy garden. The pollinators and birds benefit from your efforts. I hope to see and talk with you at the garden!
Congratulations to Decatur High School Girls Ultimate Team for winning the Treminus Juniors tournament. Many of the players started right here in on the Decatur Active Living Ultimate Team. It is awesome to see that the DAL program continues to serve as a feeder program to the High School Ultimate team.
As we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month, we would like to pay tribute to a giant – Madeleine Albright. Mrs. Albright served as 64th United States Secretary of State under the Clinton administration becoming the first female in U.S. history. Albright once stated, “It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent.” Let us give thanks for her voice and paving the way for so many women in her life.
What you eat before and after you exercise is almost as important as the workout itself. Food is your fuel—it gives you the energy necessary to be active and focused, and it also provides the nutrients required to build muscle and bone strength, as well as help the body recover post workout.
After two long years Touch A Truck is back! Visit trucks, bikes, MARTA vehicles and get a popsicle from King of Pops! We are partnering with City’s Touch A Budget and Clean Energy Plan. Help us kick off Spring with our most beloved event. See you all there!
Touch A Truck – Saturday, March 19 . 10am – 2pm . East Lake MARTA Station, North Lot
For those of us who watched this year’s Super Bowl, we saw a female pioneer committed to breaking barriers continue her efforts by becoming an Honorary Coin Toss Captain for the Super Bowl LVI. Billie Jean King is an American world No. 1 tennis player winning 39 Grand Slam titles and much more in her career. In the 1970s, the tennis icon quickly become a pioneer for the fair and equal treatment of women in sports. King stated, “It’s an honor to stand with these outstanding student athletes and celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX on one of the world’s biggest stages. It’s hard to understand inclusion until you have been excluded, and I am proud to be part of this year’s Super Bowl Coin Toss and the NFL’s commitment to bring us together and make us stronger (Kamal, 2022).” Decatur Active Living is committed to continuing King’s efforts ensuring that all programs and events are inclusive for all because, above all, we are Better Together!
Gael Doyle
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