Happy Earth Day

Today is a day set aside to thank Mother Earth for all that she provides to us, to do things for her to make her more healthy, and to create resolutions to do things differently in our lives to reduce our carbon footprint.

Thank you

Mother Earth provides us with everything we need to live a healthy life. From the soil and the plants that grow in it to the animals who are nourished by these plants and the people who eat the fruits of these plants Mother Earth gives us the food we need to live.

Making Mother Earth Healthier

One way to thank Mother Earth for all she does is to make her healthier. Plant a tree to provide shade, reduce soil runoff, and provide the oxygen we need to live. Go to a local park, woods, or stream and clean up the garbage that others have carelessly thrown away. Litter is a one of the biggest contributors to an unhealthy Mother Earth. Taking a few steps today (and everyday) are easy things that can be done for minimal cost but maximum benefits to Mother Earth.

Carbon Footprint

We've all heard the term "carbon footprint" and the media tells us we need to reduce it. But what is a carbon footprint and how do we reduce it?

According to Wikipedia, Carbon Footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide and methane gasses that are emitted by a person, company, nation, etc.

How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Some obvious ways to reduce your carbon footprint are to reduce your personal emissions of these gasses:

• Reduce the amount of driving you do. Carpool as much as possible - to work, school, sporting events.
• Plan your weekly errands ahead of time. Group them into close proximity to save gas and reduce your emissions.
• Use your air conditioner less. By using ceiling fans and keeping your air conditioner set at a higher temperature (or off), you greatly reduce the emissions needed to cool your house.

There are many many more, and there are lots of great websites with these types of obvious tips to reduce your carbon footprint - and reduce your electric and gas bills at the same time.

Buy Local Fruits and Vegetables

It's Earth Day! Celebrate Mother Earth by eating a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables!

Many people celebrate in this manner and drive to their local grocery store to purchase fruits and vegetables that were grown thousands of miles away and transported via boat, train, plane, and truck to your local store. These fruits and vegetables have a HUGE carbon footprint!

Celebrating Earth Day in the manner is, ironically, the worst thing you could do!

Instead, drive to your local farmer's market and purchase your fruits and vegetables there. Buying produce that was grown within a few miles of your home instead of a few thousand miles is EXACTLY how you reduce your carbon footprint.

Grow Your Own Fruits and Vegetables

But, the best way to reduce your carbon footprint is to grow your own produce. By providing your garden with properly nourished soil and growing plants that will be harvested for your own consumption, you reduce the distance your food travels from thousands of miles to a few feet!

My Earth Day Resolution

My family and I are expanding our garden from a few containers of tomatoes and peppers, to a large garden of green beans, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, squash, jalapenos, carrots, potatoes, watermelon, strawberries, and more!

We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint as well as providing healthy food for our family in our own backyard. We want you to do the same.

My series of articles on How to Start a Vegetable Garden will help. This series explains how to design your garden, build a raised bed or select containers for your garden, determine the right soil for your garden, and select and plant your seeds.

As my garden grows, I will provide more tips on growing your plants and harvesting them. Please follow me on this journey. A link to my website with all of the articles can be found on my Street Articles profile.

As for today, I am doing my part. The family and I are heading to the local woods with garbage bags to clean up the random trash left on our trails. I hope you take the time to do the same.