Thursday, September 29, 2011

USGBCSFL GreenWoring tonight - Brickell Irish Pub 7 pm

Join us for the
Miami-Dade Branch GREENWORKING event at the Brickell Irish Pub!

Come unwind with the Miami-Dade Branch and enjoy an an evening of GREENworking at the Brickell Irish Pub. Expand your network while you mingle and meet with other branch and chapter members in a casual, fun atmosphere.

Our networking events are always highly attended so be sure to rsvp!

Complimentary cocktails from 7-8PM
Suggested $10 donation (tax-deductible)

Business Casual Attire
Educational Presentation: LEED Credentialing Update

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Rooftop Gardens in places like Austin Real Estate

Guest contribution from James Kin. Similar climate in Texas...


The recent craze to hit city dwellers is rooftop gardening. Rooftop gardening, as its name suggests, is when people garden on their rooftops. Rooftop gardening can make an urban outdoor space more appealing and colorful. It can also be an opportunity for people to grow their own vegetables as a sustainable food source. This practice is a fixture of the Austin real estate scene, as Austin, Texas evolves into a place that embraces big city life and nature at the same time.
So, now that you know what rooftop gardening is, you might want to know how it works. A rooftop garden is installed in layers to prevent unwanted leaking and damage to buildings. Layers are also essential to ensure that there is a sufficient amount of soil for plants to grow. There are five layers that are required to successfully start a rooftop garden. Below are the five layers in the order they must be installed on the roof.

• Waterproof layer
• Roof membrane
• Filter sheet
• Moisture blanket
• Soil and plants

People who want to make the task of installing a rooftop garden less arduous can purchase a pre-packaged rooftop garden kit. These rooftop garden kits come with all the supplies you will need to start up your garden. They are also reasonably priced and come in both small and large sizes to suit your needs. If the idea of building the garden on your own is still intimidating, there are many professional landscapers who can assist you. Professional landscapers will ensure that your garden turns out to be a beautiful addition to your home. However, hiring a landscaper will significantly increase your costs.
It is important to keep in mind that not all kinds of plants grow well on a rooftop. Your choice of plants should depend on your personal taste, the design of your roof, and the climate in your area. If you are a novice rooftop gardener, you may want to look into low water plants, Alpines, moss, ferns, sedum, and succulents to start out. These plants grow will in most conditions and do not require too much upkeep. If you are interested in growing food in your garden, tomatoes and bell peppers are relatively easy to grow in most areas.
You don’t need a green thumb to start a rooftop garden. If you purchase a pre-packaged kit and plant things that do well in most climates, you will find yourself with a beautiful garden in no time.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

GASC Miami Family Night - September 30, 2011. 6:30 pm.

Join the German American Social Club of Greater Miami for our Family night- an evening of fun and games!

September 30, 2011 from 6:30 to 11 pm...