In the garden

Helpful hints from Canadian Living Magazine include disconnecting downspouts, using rainbarrels, watering wisely and organic fertilizers

www.canadianliving.com

Try vermicomposting. The clean, indoor, less odoriferous way to compost employs a small colony of red worms. Let them set up shop in a neatly self-contained bin and they'll go to work on those scraps you've been shoving down the disposal (as well as old newspapers). Come springtime, you have free, rich soil.

Take a working vacation to help organic farmers with seasonal harvesting. You'll learn sustainable farming methods to boot. WWOOF is an international network of organic farms, gardens and businesses where you can visit and receive food, accommodation and training in return for your help and participation. No experience is required, although any skills you have can be put to good use. There are over 600 locations in Canada alone, plus hundreds more in 70 countries around the world