IN YOUR YARD

Keep the Climate in Mind
For green lawns or gorgeous gardens, we use a lot of natural resources and put loads of chemicals into the soil that end up in our water and food supplies. Ask your local nursery to direct you to drought-tolerant plants that are adapted to your local climate so you don't have to rely on excess watering and fertilizing to keep them healthy.

Make Over Your Mowing Routine
Burn calories instead of fossil fuels with a push mower, and set your blades to trim grass to 2 inches. At this height, the grass stays moister, so you'll need to water it less. Plus weeds, which need light to grow, are prevented from sprouting.

Weed with Abandon
Weeding every time you see even one pesky plant is worth the effort, since you'll reduce your need for pesticides. If these botanical intruders are out of control, consider Espoma Earth-tone 4n1 Weed Control ($7; neeps.com), which uses fatty acids and synthetic food-safe agents instead of harsh pesticides to kill weeds.

Plant a Tree
Just one can offset up to 1.33 tons of carbon dioxide over its life cycle. Plus if you plant it strategically, you can score some extra shade for your house, reducing the amount of energy you use for air-conditioning. Trees also help with irrigation and water runoff, keeping your lawn healthier.