Spring is here, and time to think about getting outside, working in the garden, cleaning house, and lots more. Here are some ideas to help you get on with your life while being good to the planet.

** Check this page often for updates and fresh ideas! **

For Your Yard and Garden

Organic Garden Compost - Earth Care Farms in Charlestown.

Organic plants and garden supplies -- Good Earth Garden Center in western Cranston. 

Worms and kits for your own compost project -- Charlestown worm ladies .

Plant sales -- Southside Community Land Trust (City Farm) sale in May, RI Wild Plant Society sale in June.

Rain barrells -- to reduce runoff and relieve strain on local water systems.

Encourage wildlife -- your yard can be a haven for birds, butterflies and bees. The National Wildlife Federation can help.

Learn more -- URI's master gardener program offers lots of classes both at URI and the Botanical Center at Roger Williams Park. City Farm also offers workshops .  

Local Food 

When you buy local food, you support a healthy environment in many ways. You help reduce air pollution by cutting down on transportation. You help support the preservation of open space by helping local farmers survive economically. You take away your support from giant factory farms that abuse animals and erode the land. So buy local, whenever you can! 

The amazing Farm Fresh RI Web site has all the info you need, every day, about what food you can find where, all year round, from farmers markets to farm stands to local grocers,  restaurants, local artisan bakers and cheesemakers, and more. Check out the RI Farmways Web site for a listing of local farms that welcome visitors, many have farm stands. You can find fresh vegetables, herbs, fruit, pies, and more.

Stores that feature local and organic foods include Whole Foods (in Providence and Cranston), The Green Grocer (Portsmouth), and the Alternative Food Co-op (Wakefield). You can also find R.I. products at lots of local markets, if you look -- cornmeal, coffee syrup, bread, and more.

Edible Rhody magazine is all about local food. You can find their issues free at local markets and restaurants, but you can also buy an annual subscription online. 

Local Wine

Why not wash down that local food with some local wine! Our local vineyards are beautiful places to visit, and preserve open spaces and agricultural traditions. They deserve our support!

Check out Sakonnet Vineyards in Little Compton, Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth, and Newport Vineyards in Middletown (they also offer hard cider). These vendors may offer products made from grapes grown elsewhere... if you want to stick with R.I. grapes, be sure to ask. You can also find local beers at your liquor store. Newport Storm and Trinity Brewhouse are two brands that I know of, ask your storekeeper for more selections. All of these suggestions have multiple payoffs... they support your local economy, help create good jobs for your neighbors, provide worthwhile gifts that won't collect dust, and enrich the whole experience of living on earth. 

Local Vacations

With gas prices on the rise, folks are starting to look around and think about enjoying the assets we have right here in R.I. We have lots to explore and enjoy, from bike paths and rivers, to beaches and hiking trails. Our local theaters and Waterfire provide world-class options for summer nights.

Green & Clean For Your Home

When it's time to do some spring cleaning, remember the three R's - reduce, re-use, recycle. Try to find a way to recycle your trash before sending it all to the landfill -- and next time, think twice before buying more stuff. Look for nontoxic cleaning products like Shaklee Clean & Green , Ecover, and Seventh Generation. 

Money spent to support a vibrant and diverse local economy helps our environment in lots of ways. Goods produced and sold here consume less fossil fuel in transport. Local companies create jobs for your friends and neighbors, keeping everyone productive. Supporting local farmers keeps Rhode Island's countryside green and healthy. Artists enhance our quality of life and their orginal works make great gifts.

Do you have an eco-friendly shopping idea that you'd like to see listed here? This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it