Using Organic Fertilizers

We are beginning our second year of organic fertilization, and thought we'd show you that the lawn looks just as good as when we were using a chemical fertilizer. We put corn gluten on in the spring and chicken manure on in the fall. We do have to pull out a few dandelions at the beginning of the season, but that's the only difference we have noticed so far.
Learn more about organic lawn care

Rain Barrel

This spring we have planted about 120 native plant plugs, in addition to a number of other flowers, and have not turned on the hose yet. When we need to water, we just fill up a bucket or watering can at our rain barrel. It takes just the tiniest rainfall to fill it up. We still have not turned our sprinklers on, either, and we think we'll keep going as long as we can without using them.

Learn how to make a rain barrel

Reuseable Shopping Bag

I bought this bag at Urban Outfitters to take with me while shopping at the mall, or any place other than a grocery-type store. I keep it in the trunk of my car and use it for all of my purchases. Last time I was at the mall, I made 4 stops and everywhere I went the salesclerks wanted to know where I got the shopping bag. They all thought it was a good idea - they themselves indicated that they feel the plastic bags or big shopping bags are a waste.

And if you want to see how mainstream reuseable bags are, please note that Oprah has her own bag that she is now distributing.

My bag was $16. It is made of a material that feels like oilcloth.