Green Resolutions for 2010

Sometimes living green means thinking outside the box, or this case, the house.

Instead of investing large amounts of money to replace items in the home with energy efficient items, simply turn off the energy eaters and find a different location to relax.

January is the time to plan the garden and changes to the back yard. As you think of new garden designs, consider ways of saving energy this summer by simply moving your family out of doors. Turn off the TV, air conditioning and lights and let the family relax in the shade or putter in a new vegetable garden. With little up front investment, this change of scenery can add up to big energy savings.

Consider a gazebo or pergola as outdoor family space. If you’re lucky enough to have the house facing the right direction to offer afternoon shade, use that yard space for outdoor living.

Build some raised plant beds for flowers and vegetables. Let the kids have their own plots, keeping them away from the TV, computer or game consoles for a few hours and letting them contribute their crops to the family dinner table.

Cut down on garden watering costs by catching water runoff from the roof in a rain barrel. Simply redirect a downspout into it. My grandparents always had a rain barrel. We used the water for plants, to rinse our hair after shampooing, and sometimes, Grandpa would let us fish in it.