Tastes & Trends IN THE GARDEN

BY THE NUMBERS 41Percent more calcium a consumer absorbs from a genetically modified carrot than from a regular carrot, thanks to biofortification 20Percent of household water, on average, used for outdoor irrigation by home owners

1INCH Amount of rain falling on a 100-square-foot roof in 1 hour that results in 60 gallons for irrigation

 

TALKING ABOUT . . .

PEOPLE ARE

■ grass seeds that germinate with about half the water needed by traditional varieties

■ disease-resistant trees (e.g., Accolade and Triumph elms) to counter the spread of invasive insects and diseases

■ traditional energy-saving landscapes: shade trees on the south and west to block hot sun and evergreens in the north to block wintry winds

■ decorative rain barrels (not cisterns)

■ tomato-growing contests with awards for appearance, flavor, and weight

TOPS IN CROPS Most popular heirloom • The tomato Largest homegrown tomato • 6 pounds Biggest giant pumpkin • 1,689 pounds

SIGN S
OF
THE TIMES

IT’S ALL ABOUT US

People are visiting ancestral 1hometowns to research their roots. Hired

“photo detectives” are dating and identifying relatives in old family photos, using clues in clothing, props, and even shadows (which can reveal the time of day). Entrepreneurs are selling unidentified and abandoned photo portraits as “ instant ancestors.”

Happiness is linked to our com-

2fort level around neighbors,

says a Canadian survey. Citizens are happiest in Saint

John, Quebec City, and Charlottetown, where trust is high; residents of Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary are less happy. “Happy cities are not necessarily the wealthy ones,” says Chris Barrington-Leigh, an economist at