Welcome! If you are new to our challenges, please click HERE for info. And, to help spread the word, please feel free to grab our Change The World Wednesday banner and link to the above post which will always list the most current challenge as well as a list of all past activities.
In the fall we challenged ourselves to plant something ... something which would benefit by the cooler temperatures and, in most cases, the increased rainfall. Now that it's spring, we're going to focus on planting for the warmer months.
This week, plant something. This can be as large as a vegetable garden or landscaping a yard ... or as small as planting an herb garden in a container for your window. You can plant by seeds ... or transplant something from your local garden shop. The idea, here, is simply to plant something.
Or ...
If you've already been busy planting, we'd like to hear about it. So, please write a post about your planting adventures and include why it's good for the earth.
Last week we used a carbon calculator to measure ways in which we could reduce our footprint. What I found most interesting about it was how very small actions had the power to reduce our carbon footprint in a big way. Let's see how our Honor Society did with it:
EcoGrrl pointed out that the carbon calculator makes assumptions that don't fit everyone. She's already ahead of the game by not having a car, A/C or a printer. She also suggested that we try carbonfootprint.com for a more in-depth calculator which should cover more options and situations. Thanks, EcoGrrl!
Two Vegan Boys joined our challenge (and thanks, so much, TVB for the mention in this POST). Krys and the boys are doing a lot to reduce their carbon footprint including using cold water to wash clothes, showering every other day and making use of natural light.
Waterwaif dropped in. From a previous challenge she shared that she and her family have cut out all white and enriched breads, flours and pastas and only eat whole grain varieties. They've also been enjoying raw veggie salads.
Argentum Vulgaris doesn't have a car, a dishwasher or air conditioner ... he also doesn't use paper. He saved $289.00/year and 850 lbs. of CO2/year. Yay! He also confessed that on the previous challenge, he didn't end up eating wholemeal bread for a week. It's okay, AV ... there's always another day (we could never hate you)!
Ange said that her husband loves these kinds of things and that he would probably be going through their home, evaluating everything. Since Ange and her family don't have a microwave, air conditioner or clothes dryer, she thinks that the car will be her best bet at reducing her carbon footprint.
Mrs. Green joined our challenge. She has a car, uses paper and uses a shower ... but the one change she is making can be found in this POST. Not only did she take the challenge but she did a little investigative work to find out why this particular activity is beneficial and safe.
Emmie from Bloomin Lilacs didn't have much to calculate but, from our whole foods challenge she made natural pomegranate/raspberry tea. Mmm ... that sounds wonderful! Would you, perhaps, like to share your recipe, Emmie?
Great job everyone! Don't forget ... I Stumble and Tweet your articles, as well as link to them here so ... write something up and leave a comment with the link address. It's my way of saying ... Thanks For Participating!
WE'RE CHANGING THE WORLD ... ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME!
fab challenge as ever. I'm really excited about something I'm growing this year. Forget potatoes, tomatoes and carrots; this is something COMPLETELY different!!
ReplyDeletehttp://littlegreenblog.com/green-home/gardening-and-pest-control/im-growing-a-luffa/
Done! CTWW is up on Tomus: http://tomusarcanum.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteAV
We planted our first "real" vegetable garden this year, and just got some of our seeds planted. We're so excited, and I like the idea that we're making a small difference in our world.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for mentioning us. I really love your page.
ReplyDeleteGardening is the best. Even if you have just a patio you can container garden and if you have a yard no matter how big or small it is possible to garden.
We rent but still started two beds. They are doing great. Yesterday, the boys and I planted some seeds to grow so we can transplant to our Summer garden. The Spring garden has greens, lettuce, broccoli, artichoke, beets, dill, garlic, garlic chives, peppers (sweet & hot) and we have the second bed full of tomatoes and basil. The seeds we started yesterday are for yellow squash, zucchini, watermelon, cantaloupe, eggplant, cucumber, and okra. I have started a section on my blog listing what we harvest from our garden each month. At the end of the year I am going to show a total of how much money was saved not buying vegetables from the store and growing your own.
Gardening is not only money-saving it is also therapeutic. There are also pictures of our garden on the page.
Thanks for such a great challenge.
I'm one step ahead of you! I started my garden on Monday. It still a little cool so I have the plants growing in the house until they are about 3 inches high then they go to my garden outside once the soil is a little warmer. I'm planting peppers, onions, corn, broccoli, squash and tomatoes. I'm also planting fruit trees. I grew up with a garden and plan to always have one.
ReplyDeleteCount me in! I bought some calendula seeds to plant on my windowsill! Happy gardening everyone!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a full garden so the window will have to do! :-)
http://www.smashingdarling.com/store/the-accessory-lady
Hi Small, came to read yr interesting blog. Btw, you've been tagged! Check out my post!
ReplyDeletestarted planting last month! carrots, onions, spinach, lettuce, leeks, garlic, nasturtium (for bug defense), kiwi, sunflowers and peas in march which are all happy as can be. i've taken a chance and thrown some corn into rows as it's just been so nice that i couldn't resist,and am tapping my toes waiting to plant my beans, tomatoes, zucchini, pumpkins, peppers, etc. my herbs survived the mild winter so haven't had to buy many of those except basil will be on the list next month (can never have enough!). big bummer? sweet potato slips indoors are still doing nothing, just rotting in the jar with the tip in water, so i'm going to try the alternate method of burying in sand to see if that works..sigh..
ReplyDeleteGardening is my choice..it is interesting too........
ReplyDeletei would like to go for gardening....
ReplyDeleteI'm finally back after family matters kept me away and am excited about this challenge! Gardening is relatively new to me. I was only semi-successful at it last year, but this year so far have planted some lettuce. My son and I also had fun throwing wildflower seeds all along the front perimeter of the house. I can't wait to see what comes up. I'm planning on doing tomatoes, cukes, asparagus (to attract a certain type of beetle I'm told is beautiful - love to draw those bugs!), beans and some herbs. Last year only my parsley and broccoli did very well. Wish me luck for a better growing season!
ReplyDeleteMust say I didn't comment on the last challenge because I too already don't use all that stuff (no car, no dishwasher, no airco, don't shower daily, already have the saving light bulbs). Also wanted to say the BF has cooked completely from scratch for years for me and I compose all my salads from fresh uncut unpacked vegetables. Processed foods are to be seen rarely in our house.
ReplyDeleteBut for this week take a look at the complete garden & plants section on my blog:
http://trashcollector.blogspot.com/search/label/Garden%20and%20Plants
And without knowing about the challenge: just sowed in my coriander las weekend, seeds all from last year's 'harvest'.
I'm Growing a Compost Heap using sod that was just lying around. I'm not certain that this idea will work, but I wanted to avoid spending money if I could, and I'm just amused by the idea of living walls!
ReplyDelete