Spring2018.exe is almost fully installed, but it just needs to finish updating its software. The download should take less than one minute, but we all know that means a month. While you're waiting for the sun to reboot and the grass to render, now is a great time to start thinking about ways that you can green your routine this year! It's much easier to keep your routine green in the warmer months so we're going to give you a crash course in some of the best and easiest ways to stick to a sustainable regimen without sacrificing the things you love.
1. Grow Your Own Food
Alright, so for those of you who haven't been hoarding plant and vegetable starts in your garage or greenhouse this winter, now is the exact time that you should start planting seeds if you're hoping to have some homegrown food this summer. You can pick up seeds and starts at Echter's Nursery & Garden Center and if you click here you can save $5 on your next purchase! If you plan to direct sow the seeds into your garden, you might have to wait until early April to get those started, but you should consult your nearest nursery. On the other hand, if you're planning to get started early so you can transplant instead of direct sow, set aside a sunny spot in the house for a tray of starts. You can then use either recycled egg cartons or paper towel rolls as biodegradable pots. Growing your own food means that you spend less at the grocery store, which means you can use your savings to do something fun!
2. Landscape for the Future
In the same vein, late February/early March is the optimal time to prune your fruit trees for maximum yield, so give your trees the perfect haircut they deserve. Whatever you do, stay away from giving them trendy haircuts. Trees should never have man buns or undercuts. Be careful, though; some fruit trees follow different growth schedules and like to be pruned at other times of the year, so check with your local tree care experts before snipping. Don't have any fruit trees? There's a saying in the horticulture community: "the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today." You can find a wide selection of trees at Country Fair Garden Center and you can click here to save $5 on your next purchase! Regardless of the type of tree you choose to plant, in addition to reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, trees can prevent wind damage and erosion on your property, saving you money on major renovations and landscaping.
3. Join a CSA
If you have a black thumb and just don't want to get your hands dirty, join a CSA! CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture and it works by subscribing for a weekly box of fresh produce from a local farm. Essentially, you subscribe to the CSA and then the farm uses your payments to grow sustainable produce, which is sent to you in a box that matches your membership dues. CSAs are great because you can get all sorts of fantastic local produce and other goods delivered right to your doorstep (or to a nearby pick-up location). Another great thing about these boxes is that if the farm grew and harvested a surplus that pay period, you can get some of that surplus in your box! Local ingredients taste miles better than store-bought ingredients because a lot of commercial produce is often picked before it's ripe, meaning some fruits and veggies will never fully reach their potential at a store. Click here to save $5 when you pick up your first box from Isabelle Farm!
4. Use Eco Friendly Cleaners
One of the worst parts of winter is the junk that gets stuck on the bottoms of your shoes. Whether it's salt, grit, or mud, your carbon footprints are going to be everywhere in the house. A lot of cleaning products available to the public are full of extremely toxic chemicals that will treat you and the environment the same way they treat a shower floor. Avoid chemical burns and environmental damage; start using environmentally friendly cleaning materials available from Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day. One of our mottos is "it's much easier to keep something clean than clean something that's dirty," so if you're feeling daunted by the spring cleaning task ahead of you, the pros are here to help. Call up Clean Conscience and your home will be as clean and shiny as before the winter! Click here to save $25 on each of your first three house cleanings!
5. Enjoy Food with Friends
As the temperature begins to rise with the coming of spring, it's a great time to get out of the workplace and enjoy the fresh air. Get your social infusion and take your coworkers out to eat at one of our sustainable dining locations. Get your mind off work and the cold and get to know your coworkers better!
Before you know it, spring will kick into high gear and there will be all sorts of good vibes, warmth, and outside activities. Start now so when April rolls around, you can hit the ground running with your new healthy and sustainable routine.
Best regards from all of us at Chinook Book.
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