Great news: Spring vegetable gardens are just around the corner. If you found yourself battling harmful insects last time you got your green thumb on, don’t reach for chemical insecticides just yet. Instead, plant smarter by choosing the right types of vegetables to group together. Did you know tomatoes repel caterpillars that chew on cabbage leaves? Or onions, with their pungent taste and smell, repel most pests? And radishes attract leaf miner insects to the leafy greens on top, but the insects have no effect on the actual radish itself underground? By adding onions, radishes and tomatoes, you can create a natural insect barrier to help your garden thrive.

Most people believe the best way to retire an American flag is burning it. But since most flags today are made from synthetic fibers, burning an old flag can actually be harmful and emit toxic gasses into the atmosphere. In fact, many states have banned the burning of flags due to the toxicity that comes from igniting synthetic fibers. One organization, called American Flag Disposal, wants to take old American flags and recycle them. It separates the flags into two material types -- nylon and polyester -- and works with textile recyclers to turn them into new products. Learn more at americanflagdisposal.com

If you do just one thing when it comes to your morning routine, consider switching to an all-natural, biodegradable shampoo. The suds we use to get our heads and hair squeaky-clean can end up in waterways, where aquatic wildlife and fish live. The chemicals in shampoos and conditioners, like artificial fragrances, dyes, microbeads and sulfates, can be hormone disrupters, and even cause death. The good news: It's easy now to find 100 percent biodegradable shampoos on the market, and they aren't expensive. One natural brand, JASON, is in most stores and is affordable and effective. Or look for biodegradable shampoo bars that ditch plastic bottles altogether; they create a rich later and are gentle on your hair and the planet.