Deafgreenthumbs

28/07/2022

Hi!

Thank you so much for your support of deafgreenthumbs.

We realize we have not been on in a while. The COVID pandemic led us to evaluate our priorities in life. Right now, our journeys have taken us in different directions. We are excited to see where our respective journeys take us.

With that being said, we are not currently active on deafgreenthumbs. In the meantime, please do go to our FB and IG pages Deafgreenthumbs to review tips and helpful information to assist you with your houseplant care needs.


With Love,
B and Z

16/06/2021

ROCHESTER – Early voting is here! Please consider voting for Councilman Mitch Gruber. Go to mitchgruber.com to read more on his amazing platform and past accomplishments on our behalf.

Links: The Gruber campaign: www.mitchgruber.com

Board of Elections Early Voting info: https://www.monroecounty.gov/elections-earlyvoting

Rides to the Polls: The Monroe County Democratic Committee is taking responsibility for rides to the polls. https://monroedemocrats.com/voting-info/

TRANSCRIPT: Z: Hello! My name is Zach Ennis. I am excited to announce that early voting has begun in the City of Rochester. If you are a registered city voter and a member of the Democratic party, you are eligible to vote in the Democratic primary. For early voting, we have SIX voting sites in the city and please click on the Board of Elections link to see the map where to map at your earliest convenience. Early voting will continue all week until June 20. There will be no voting on June 21 and the actual Election Day is on June 22. If you decide to wait until Election Day, you will only be able to vote at your neighborhood voting site. If, for some reason, you are unable to find transportation to and back from the polling sites, you do have options! There is still time to register for an absentee ballot. You can also contact the Monroe County Democratic Party at the link underneath or the Mitch Gruber campaign to request for a volunteer to give you a ride. This election is very important and I highly encourage you all to vote for my friend, Mitch Gruber. If you are still undecided, please create a voting plan and vote! Thank you.

Mitch & Z: (signing together simultaneously) Vote for Mitch!

Special Thanks to Kira Avery for the voice over.

02/03/2021

The plant obsession is real. You plant lovers all can relate, right?

VIDEO DESCRIPTION: It is on a facetime call. Z is a white male with a beard wearing a gray sweatshirt and a gray hat. B is a white female wearing a green shirt.

TRANSCRIPT: B: -waves- Are you serious? -waves- Come on. Look at me, Z!
Z: What, What?
B: Move that plant alongside. I cannot see your face. This isn’t Deaf-friendly at all!
Z: Oh. -moves plant aside- (Talks to plant: Its ok, you are still beautiful. She didn’t mean no harm)
B: Zach… do you know what today is?
Z: Erm, November 4, 5, 6.. something?
B: -shakes head- Its March 2, 2021…
Z: -cackles- yeah right, no way
B: Zach, we need to talk.
Z: Can this wait? I’m on a roll, I have been potting so many plants.
B: I’m totally supportive of your plant love and all but I think you are going too far this time.
Z: This….. is a dinosaur pot! Imagine this plant going into a dinosaur pot! -cackles- A dinooosaur pot!

03/11/2020

TUESDAY PLANT TIP: Vote!

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: cream colored background with black text reading, “Tuesday Plant Tip: vote. You want to keep caring for houseplants? Vote for Biden and Harris to combat climate change.”

27/10/2020

Register for the upcoming November 6th S*xuality + Plants Healing Workshop!

VIDEO DESCRIPTION: A FaceTime call taking place between two light skinned female presenting persons. Bethany is wearing a blue v-neck sweater with earrings, a lip ring, and a nose ring. Her hair is short and curly. Brittany is wearing a mustard green shirt with a black fleece jacket. Her light brown wavy hair is down to her shoulders. They both appear genuinely happy to see each other on FaceTime.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:
Both: waving hi excitedly at each other.
Brit: I am excited to see you!
Bethany: Yes, it is good to see you! I am truly looking forward to our workshop.
Brit: Did you know that it is actually quite soon?
Bethany: Yes!
Brit: I am eager and so in awe of this company that has agreed to sponsor this workshop.
Bethany: Oh yeah! We have several sponsors with there being one MAJOR sponsor - Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. WOW!
Brit: They have allocated a generous amount of funds because, as a health provider, they recognize the importance of the community having access to health related information and that includes sexuality!
Bethany: Not to forget that includes a person’s interconnectedness to nature. I think this is great and because of that generosity, people will be able to register for this workshop for free. How nice! Why should people have to pay to learn about their own health, their own sexuality, and how to connect to nature? That would be foolish so we are very grateful to Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.
Brit: The registration for the event is not limited to one location such as Rochester or the USA. It is accessible to anyone with a network connection.
Bethany: Right! This event will also include real-time captioning along voice interpretation (in English) which is also accessible so I am thrilled.
Brit: Now I am getting increasingly excited! Where should people go to register for the workshop?
Bethany: That’s a good question, Brit! Go to my website: https://www.bethanygehman.com/events and register. It is free.
Brit: The workshop is in a few weeks. Can you share more about what it will be about?
Bethany: You know what is is about! The workshop will center around our health and our journey with our sexuality. How do we nurture and take care of ourselves? This is parallel to how we engage with nature. Brit, out of all people, you know what that is like.
Brit: Oh yes, I think a lot of people think our sexuality and connection to nature are two separate experiences but everything is connected. This workshop is unique in that aspect since we merge the two.
Bethany: Yes, and I want to recognize the other entities who are supporting this event such as the NTID Student Life Team and Deaf IGNITE.
Brit: True while without Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s sponsorship, this event would not be possible at all. As such, I am so extremely grateful for that!
Bethany: I absolutely agree. FYI, for folks that want to support this event, we are accepting donations to Deaf IGNITE at: https://willowcenterny.org/donate/ so that they can continue to do the important work they are doing.
Brit: For sure! Bethany, the event is taking place November 6th, correct?
Bethany: Correct, the evening of November 6th. I can’t wait! What better way is there to spend a Friday evening than learning about your sexuality and plant care! Brit, I also heard that NTID Student Life Team will be giving out plants?
Brit: Yes, NTID will be giving out 50 plants to students in addition to deafgreenthumbs giving out 50 plants to people locally in Rochester, NY. Folks should register ASAP at https://www.bethanygehman.com/events so they can claim their plant!
Bethany: That means 100 people can get plants in Rochester. Rochesterians are so lucky! I wish I live in Rochester.
Brit: Maybe I will mail you one.
Bethany: Ooo, I like that idea! Now, Brit, I am wondering if you know how many people have registered so far?
Brit: 50?
Bethany: -shakes head- More.
Brit: 80?
Bethany: Close! 90!
Brit: Amazing!
Bethany: I know!
Brit: People are truly excited.
Bethany: This is an indication of how much people are eager to learn about these topics and a reminder to us to continue to do our work.
Brit: Indeed. Join us Friday night on November 6th for the workshop!
Bethany: Yes, see you there!
Brit: See you soon! ILY!
Bethany: ILY!

20/10/2020

TUESDAY PLANT TIP: Do Your Research Before Moving Across State or Country Lines!

VIDEO DESCRIPTION: B, a white woman, is wearing her light brown hair in a bun with a long-sleeved dark blue shirt. She is facing the camera in front of a grayish brownish background with a painting mounted to one side.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Hello! For your Tuesday tip, I want to let you know that when you relocate to a different state or country with the goal of bringing your plants with you, you need to prepare ahead of time. Every state and country have varying laws on importing soil across their lines. Some of them may disallow the importing of soil to prevent an invasion of harmful non-native pests from other places that could destroy their agricultural crops. Do your research first prior to bringing your beloved plants only to be forced to dispose of them all. Good luck and I wish you safe moving experiences!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHsWgnBrT60

VIDEO DESCRIPTION: B, a white woman, is wearing her light brown hair in a bun with a long-sleeved dark blue shirt. She is facing the camera in front of a gra...

14/10/2020

Do you want to see what our greenhouse looks like?! Wait no longer!

VIDEO DESCRIPTION: Opening animation featuring the deafgreenthumbs logo then deaf appears onscreen before being joined by greenthumbs. Z is inside a greenhouse admiring the plants. Text appears at the bottom reading “inside an urban oasis". There are plants all around behind him. Z is wearing the deafgreenthumbs sweatshirt. Image of B tending to a plant. Closing animation showing deafgreenthumbs and its four social media handles saying “follow us” at Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube .

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:

Hi there! deafgreenthumbs has an awesome urban greenhouse.

It is ten feet by ten feet. We have maximized every available space in the greenhouse.

We have reserved this area as an experiment in indoor gardening. We are growing lettuce and carrots in a raised bed.

Above this area are shelves where we store our tools and equipment.

There is a whiteboard on the door behind me where we can keep track of our ideas, projects, and so forth.

This tree is a fig tree which is really cool!

The greenhouse is three feet under ground. The reason for this being that we are deriving from natural heat emanating from the ground which reduces our overall dependence on running heaters inside the greenhouse.

There is a fan on the wall over there. Its purpose is to vent out excess heat during the summer months. We want to avoid cooking the plants in higher temperatures.

When it gets overly hot, the fan will engage and vacuum out excess heat.

For water, we have two choices. We have a regular water line built into the wall here.

In some cases, for some plants, we use filtered water so it does not burn some plants. That is what this thin tube is for.

It is important to abide by electrical codes if you want your greenhouse to have power.

This prevents electrical shocks from taking place. We have installed waterproof switches and power boxes in the greenhouse for safety.

These are some of our plants.

The material enclosing the greenhouse is made of plastic.

There are differing points of views to this discussion.

Some say glass is better and others swear by plastic.

Both materials have their pros and cons.

We chose plastic because it creates great even light diffusion all over the greenhouse.

If glass is used, some areas will be very bright and other spots will be dark.

This is why we chose plastic.

Both are great options and it is not a matter of which is best but which works best for you!

Opening animation featuring the deafgreenthumbs logo then deaf appears onscreen before being joined by greenthumbs. Z is inside a greenhouse admiring the pla...

13/10/2020

TUESDAY PLANT TIP: Don’t Rake Your Fall Leaves!

VIDEO DESCRIPTION: B is seated outside wearing a dark green t-shirt. There trees showing signs of fall foliage in the background with an overcast sky.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Hi! Today’s tip has to do with gorgeous and colorful falling fall leaves! You may be feeling an urge to rake your yard and dispose of the leaves. This is not recommended. Mother Nature has a way of designing itself to support the ecosystem without human intervention. Falling leaves help root systems, retain water in the soil, and provide nutrients for the soil. When you remove the leaves, you are interfering with the land’s ability to benefit from Mother Nature and its life cycle. It is recommended you leave your leaves where they fall this year and observe how your garden grows next year. Will you see positive results?

LINK TO ARTICLE: https://amp.usatoday.com/amp/3853468002



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v41HV1-hmD4

VIDEO DESCRIPTION: B is seated outside wearing a dark green t-shirt. There trees showing signs of fall foliage in the background with an overcast ...

07/10/2020

We’re looking forward to spending time with you in November discussing S*xuality + Plant Healing!

Join S*x Education in ASL with Bethany Gehman and deafgreenthumbs to grow your knowledge of relationships and plants at the S*xuality + Plant Healing Workshop. Relationship building is necessary for all living things on earth, including plants. Plants are beings that, like us, require collective attention in order to thrive.

The first 50 Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened & hearing disabled people to RSVP in the Rochester, NY area are eligible for a free plant and soil courtesy of deafgreenthumbs for pick up within a week prior to the event!

The S*xuality + Plant Healing Workshop is an IGNITE event. This is made possible with a generous donation from Ficus tier sponsor Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Calathea tier sponsors NTID Student Life Team, DOVE, and Sorenson Communications.

Image Description: White background with green leaf border. Text: Our Sponsors Logos of: Excellus Live Fearless, Ignite, Sorenson, and RIT NTID Student Life Team. Bold Title: S*xuality + Plants Healing Workshop subheading: S*x Education with Bethany Gehman and DeafGreenThumbs. Thin Text: A Virtual Event Via Zoom Friday November 6, 2020 7PM-9PM RSVP: www.bethanygehman.com/events Teal Leaf on the left side with white Text: FREE!

*xuality *xeducator *xEducation

06/10/2020

TUESDAY PLANT TIP: Live In The Moment

VIDEO DESCRIPTION: B is wearing a mustard green long sleeved shirt. Her light brown wavy hair is down to her shoulders. She is standing inside her home facing the camera.

LINK TO CAPTIONED VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVbgomCHEU8&feature=youtu.be

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: I have learned that houseplant care itself is a process as I look back on my years of houseplant care. I build relationships with my plants throughout my learning journey I have had trials and tribulations. As a result, I have learned to live in the moment in appreciating my connection to my plants.

30/09/2020

Curious about African Violets? We got you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BugDWinkwzc&t=26s

VIDEO DESCRIPTION: Opening animation featuring the deafgreenthumbs logo then deaf appears onscreen before being joined by greenthumbs. Z is sitting inside a greenhouse. There are plants all around behind him. Z is wearing the deafgreenthumbs sweatshirt. Closing animation showing deafgreenthumbs and its four social media handles saying “follow us” at Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube .

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:

Today, I am going to talk about this plant I love: African Violet.

I have one with pink flowers that came from my grandmother’s plant.

There are many plants that can be passed down through generations. Spider plants and African Violets are among such plants.

In the beginning of the video, I had two African Violets in my hands for you to compare.

Oftentimes, when you shop at stores, you will see African Violets with blooming flowers then, over time, the flowers may wilt away.

This does not mean the plant has died.

African Violets have been known to bloom at least once a year. There are times when they bloom a few times in a given year.

Their blooms are long lasting blooms. They do not wilt after a day or two.

This is one of their many charms. You can enjoy blooming flowers indoors for a long period of time as opposed to bringing in already cut flowers that will wilt away within a week.

When you have an African Violet, it is important to put it in an African Violet pot and to fill the bottom of the pot with one thirds of water at all times.

African Violets love damp soil. They have been known to get upset with dry soil.

There is a cardinal rule to African Violet care. Never, ever get water on the leaves.

The reason for this is because African Violets have something similar to hair follicles on their leaves. They have a furry texture to them.

Once water is trapped in the follicles, there is no way to treat the affected area and a brown spot will appear.

If you yearn to grow a healthy African Violet plant, always stick to watering the plant from the bottom of the pot.

There are pots specifically designed for African Violets you can opt to use or a regular pot that rests in a deep saucer of water.

You can look to the plant’s leaves to determine its health. In the case of this flower-less African Violet, you can see the leaves are healthy. They are green, free of brown spots, and strong.

African Violets are sun lovers. You can find the most sunny spot by a window in your home to place the plant or in an area with plenty of bright light.
If you choose to keep your African violet away from a window in a lower light area, they will be quite unhappy. They require a lot of sun.

Also, another important tidbit to note is that you should fertilize African Violets with an African Violet fertilizer on a monthly basis during the summers then cease fertilizing in the wintertime.

Plants require cyclical care so be sure to follow this cycle and you will see an abundance of blooms throughout the year!

This is a great plant to have in your plant collection!

Opening animation featuring the deafgreenthumbs logo then deaf appears onscreen before being joined by greenthumbs. Z is sitting inside a greenhouse. There a...