10 Ways to Go Green This Spring

The challenges facing this planet can’t resolve itself if we don’t give our best to help. Here’s just a short starter list of 12 ways around the home we all can make a difference.

1. Plant Natives. Huge amount of water are wasted watering lawns and gardens. Use your local nurseries and water departments’ facts online and start planting drought tolerant natives from your zones. Start taking Xeriscape classes, visit botanical garden and local garden tours for more information.

2. Buy Organic, local, produce in its natural season. Organic produce doesn’t use pesticides, so it is better for your health and the environment. Local produce in its season uses less energy for shipping.

3. Save water in your home by installing low flow showerheads and toilets. Buy front loading washing machines. Add a plastic cover for your swimming pool.

4. Use non-toxic cleaning products. Improve indoor air quality by using low VOC (Volatile organic compound) paints and install a central vacuum system.

5. Save energy by using compact fluorescent bulbs in your light fixtures. Install tank less water heaters rather than having to keep a full tank of water heated all the time.

6. Install solar panels, inverters, and reverse meters. There are tile-shaped photo voltaic panels now that are visually appealing to your neighbors.

7. Choose walking over driving. Choose metro-link, choose Hybrid or cars with high gas mileage over gas guzzlers. Carpool as much as possible. Drive steadily without much fast acceleration or stopping.

8. Reduce Run-off. You can start by just reducing the amount of time you run your sprinklers.

9. Create a composite file for fertilizing your plants rather than using store brought fertilizers.

10. Build your home right. Whether a new home or remodeled, create an eco-friendly home from the ground up.