Spring is here! Time to get out and enjoy all that nature has to offer. With that, it’s time to refresh and move forward with our Eco-Resolution of the month. For April, which is also National Gardening Month, not to mention Earth Month, our goal is to plant a garden and/or begin shopping at our local farmer’s market.
Keep in mind the reasons for doing so. Aside from healthier produce, transportation costs and resources are greatly reduced. And though a garden is a commitment, there are easy ways to get started. Consider one of these steps to begin your climb to healthier produce.
- Community Garden: Consider participating in a community garden. Through the American Community Garden Association, you can search for gardens in your area. A great opportunity to connect with experience gardeners for advice and beginners for support. If you are not ready to take on an entire plot, perhaps you can find another friend, neighbor or family to share one with and work together.
- Herb Garden: How about some herbs? Fresh herbs like chives, parsley, basil and oregano are fairly easy to grow and maintain. They can be grown outdoors as well as indoors for year round flavor. Or when you are at the end of the season, blend your herbs with a little olive oil, then pour into an ice cube tray. Freeze, then pop out a cube to spice up dishes later on.
- Container Gardening: Many fruits and vegetables do well in containers such as strawberries, blueberries, cabbages and cucumbers. Consider picking just one to start with. Our son brought home a small cabbage plant from the school garden and we were amazed at how well it did in a larger container.
- Home Garden: Perhaps you have the space, sunlight and determination to do this at home. While we participated in a community garden last year to get us going, we are gardening at home this year. Review this article from the Helpful Gardener to help you get started and visit the National Gardening Association to view this how-to video on maintaining your garden.
- Farmer’s Market: So you are not into or ready for gardening, that’s OK. Check out these resources for nearby options to either pick your own or at LocalHarvest.org, search for the farmer’s market closest to you. And since you moved from disposable to reusable last month, remember to bring your bags!
- Organic Produce: If growing anything is difficult for whatever reason and a farmer’s market is not an option, take a closer look at the organic produce at your grocery store. With so many labels, it gets confusing . Download this shopper’s guide from the Environmental Working Group- The Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 – so you know what’s best to buy organic or not.
Whatever step you take, it’s one step closer from the farm to your table which is all good for your body, soul and world around you.
Happy Spring!
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I would love to win the TErra Cycle yogurt cup growing cups!
It would be fun to have this in my classroom!
We are learning more and more about Terracyle and all that you do! Our school has just started with Terracylce and we are looking for great ways to motivate kids and get them involved. We are having drawings for all the kids that are getting involved and this would be a great item to share with the kids!