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| THE CASUAL GARDENER, Shawna Coronado Go Green In 2008!! = = = = = = = = = Dear Casual Gardener, I have created a New Years Resolution goal of getting “greener”? Any ideas for me? Signed, Greening Girl = = = = = = = = = = Dear Greening Girl, Absolutely! We should all focus on improving our health and the world’s health and what better way to encourage positive greening practices than a New Year’s Resolution! According to Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin, co-authors of True Green, 100 everyday ways you can contribute to a healthier planet, National Geographic Society, 2006, EVERYONE can make a positive difference for the environment by making simple changes to your lifestyle. A quick list of simple and easy ideas which should also reduce the amount of money spent yearly on utilities is below. It represents a great combination if you ask me - money savings and ecology savings. The list is a sampling of my favorite top 20 ways to reduce, reuse and recycle the products you utilize every day: • You can save over 20,000 gallons of water per year by installing low-flow shower fittings. • Turn unused lights and appliances off to reduce electricity usage. • Turn the heat or air conditioning down in your home to reduce emissions and money savings. • Unplug electronic equipment and appliances when not in use to prevent energy leeching. • Replace all light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs. • Chemicals are poisoning our environment. Use fewer chemicals on your property and when you have to; try to use chemicals and cleaners which are certified safe for the environment. • Utilize native plants or drought tolerant plants in your garden to save water. • Plant at least one tree a year. Effectively planted trees cool your home in summer and allow sunlight to warm your home in the winter. • Use rain barrels to collect water which collects rainfall from your downspout. You can collect as much as 36,000 gallons of rainwater each year from a 2,000-square-foot-home. • Save water by watering as closely to the roots as possible. Reducing water evaporation by watering in the early morning or late evening will also help conserve. • Mulch your gardens to add additional water savings. Mulch keeps the ground cool and moist. • Encourage birds, butterflies and nature by planting bushes and plants which encourage food and nesting locations. • Use a rake or broom. Hosing leaves off the lawn and sidewalk wastes water. • Grow your own fruits and vegetables for better nutrition and less transportation energy waste. If you cannot grow your own, buy local. • Prevent landfill waste by creating a compost bin and reuse all of your food scraps and yard clippings. • Refuse plastic bags when you are shopping. Bring your own reusable bag. • Buy vintage clothing from resale shops. Tons of clothing items end up in landfills every year, by reusing clothing we are reducing the landfill size. • Use rechargeable batteries and take batteries, as well as other biohazards, to the appropriate facility for disposal. • Buy appliances and goods with the Energy Star label which indicates better environmental performance. • Buy a hybrid car or a car which has a stronger mile-per-gallon ratio to reduce emissions. A hybrid car is the first choice as it utilizes far less fuel and has the lowest emissions. There are a few items on the above list which are a part of my own New Years Resolutions. The above list is so simple to do, that everyone can help. You can make a difference! You can get your family healthier this year! My New Years gift to The Casual Gardener readers is a free “Get Your Green On Goals List.” Print this list and create your own greening goals which you can keep on your refrigerator as a reference. Go to www. thecasualgardener.com and the link to the goals list form is at the bottom left-hand side of the home page. Happy New Year and Happy Greening to all of my readers! Please send your gardening questions for Shawna Coronado, The Casual Gardener to dearshawna@thecasualgardener.com or The Casual Gardener, P.O. Box 358, Warrenville, IL 60555. www.thecasualgardener.com |
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