I recently found a website that, though not gardening specific, is a great resource for anyone who is following the global environmental issues of the day.  You can get a feel about the challenges of the global shortage of water, what is happening in regard to climate and energy around the world as well as what is happening in agriculture, food and sustainability. However, it goes further and explores the solutions to these growing challenges, which is great!

There is also a wonderful community of bloggers that are both well versed in the issues and fun to read.  Planet 2025 is well thought out giving perspectives and an actionable plan for individuals as well as small and large businesses.  This is good news for those who believe in being good stewards whether that be in the backyard or in the world.

This is a great time to start planning your garden for 2009.  One of the best ways to start is to look up the plants that you would like to add to your existing garden and flowerbeds.  Make a list of everything you want to add along with a place to do a little research to make sure that they will do well in your area.  If you’re not sure what will work in your area, contact the nearest Universities Agriculture Department and get their input as to what is the best plants to use that are native to your area.

Another great thing to start thinking about is composting.  If you are not currently doing a compost pile or own a composter, now is the time to do it.  You can create a great nutrient rich compound for your garden and pots right at your own home with all the biodegradable scraps thrown out by your family.  This is good for you and good to keep these same scraps out of the landfills; a win-win situation.

One of the things we don’t often think about this time of year is what gardens we have available in our communities.  One of the best places to go and check to see what community gardens are available in your community is to go to the ACGA (American Community Garden Association) website.

You will be able to read about what a community garden is and, if you don’t have one, how to start one.  Once you see how community gardens work you will be won over at how wonderful they can be.  Please check out the ACGA and make plans to contact and visit the community garden in your area and if you can, please donate to this fantastic cause.

There is a great tradition in our house to make Christmas not only white, but green.  From using recycled wrapping paper to eating fresh foods we do what we can during this time of year to make sure we take care of the earth as well as each other.

With this in mind, I want to wish everyone a wonderful Holiday Season and may you have the Best Green Christmas Ever!

It’s easy to look around and see what native plants are growing in your area.  All you have to do is go to a park in your neighborhood and look around or go out into a protected area and take pictures of the plants that you would like to incorporate into your yard or garden.

Get in touch with your state agriculture or extension department and show them the photos and ask if the species is available to plant and how to best take care of it.  That’s just one of the great services they provide to families in their state.  Take advantage of this and other services to improve your yard and garden for the coming year.

There are many people across the US that live in areas that have been and are still affected by drought situations.  To save water and follow local laws, many of us just stop watering our yards and plants and watch as they whither away and bake in the sun with little or no water.

While there is little you can do about some things, there are plants that you can plant in your yard that need little water to not only survive, but to thrive and bloom.  You can plant a water conservation garden and maintain a beautiful garden landscape even in drought conditions.  With a little thought and direction, we don’t have to sacrifice our yards completely in order to save and conserve water.

I recently read a blurb in Country Living Magazine that estimated there are seven million wild birds that are killed every year from the use of residential pesticides.  These are the chemicals we put on our yard and gardens for aesthetic reasons, not to grow our own food.  You can read more about how to save the birds at the National Audubon Society.

Over the last year I have read or seen reports of what the continued dumping of industrial chemicals, old medicine and pesticide runoff is doing to our water supplies here in the U.S.  In some places it is already affecting frogs and other susceptible animals in enormous ways.  There are those who feel that the rise in cancer and cancerous growths are due to a large degree of this same chemical waste.  What we do know is if we continue to dump all this stuff into our environment it will eventually catch up with us.  My question is; is having an aesthetically pleasing lawn worth knowingly killing anything?  I certainly hope not.  The next species just might be us.

Yes, I know its December and you really don’t want to think about your lawn just yet.  I also know that if you want to have a luscious organic grass lawn this next year, it’s never to early to start planning.

The first thing you have to ask yourself is; is having an organic lawn worth the effort?  Once you realize that pets and children are more susceptible to the poisons in chemical pesticides than adults, I believe you would agree that the answer is yes, it is worth the effort.  Any time we can reduce risks for our loved ones from getting cancer, asthma and other environmental health related diseases or problems, we should do whatever we can.  That includes using all natural fertilizers that have no chemical residues in them.  Check with your local lawn care companies to find out more of what you can do in your area.  You will need to look at climate, soil and the conditions of your site.

When looking for a greenhouse it is advisable to see how much space, with adequate sunlight, that you can contribute to putting into a growing house.  For those who only have minimal space or no yard at all and would still like to have a way to grow a few things with, you can invest in a wonderful mini greenhouse that can fit on a porch or balcony.  For those who do have ample room and sunlight, a home greenhouse is a great choice for you.

In today’s climate of rising grocery prices people are looking for ways to consolidate and conserve for the sake of their pocket book.  Though greenhouses do take an upfront investment, over time they not only contribute to helping with your expenses but also to your over health if you choose to grow fruits, vegetables and herbs organically.  The lifetime of savings in regard to your health expenses by eating properly might far outweigh the savings on food alone.  The bonus is that its not just your health; it’s your families as well.

I haven’t talked about this in a little while but thought I would bring it up again as I continue to hear that people are putting off healthcare and eating at McDonalds to save money in the current economy.  Eating right is a great way to hedge your bets with your health and fast food is not the way to eat well.  That’s not to say that I am against enjoying a Big Mac from time to time but there are ways to eat well without spending a great deal of money.  You can also go in with family members and invest in a garden that will let you grow your own vegetables and herbs and share among yourselves.

When it comes to your health, you can’t get started soon enough and if you don’t have room for a garden you have a couple of other options.  One is a raised bed that you can put on patios or landings that work well.  The other option is to eat locally.  Find farmers markets or vendors that sell produce at their place of business since these are normally a little bit less expensive due to not having transportation costs tacked on top.  Coupon shop and save where you can but if at all possible, please don’t sacrifice your health.