Many communities face water restrictions due to long-term droughts. One way to keep lush landscaping and save water is to promote "deep water" instead of frequent watering of plants. Deep water is when you fully saturate the ground for water-loving plants. You do this type of watering less frequently. Over time, the plants get enough water from deep watering, and they learn to send roots deeper into the ground to search for water, which helps to develop drought tolerance.

Summer is a time when many of us travel to new cities or destinations, and it often means renting a car. But if you want to save money -- and the hassle of paying to park and manage a rental car -- consider researching public transportation options in your destination city. It's also very green: In 2011, U.S. public transportation (trains, buses and ferries) saved 450 million gallons of gas from 500 urban areas. Most cities have websites that show you public transportation options, including maps, schedules and planners to make your visit a breeze.

Got an extra shower cap you nabbed from a hotel stay? The plastic caps can be used for more than just keeping your hair dry. Wrap the bottom of your shoes with shower caps; they'll create barriers that prevent the germs, bacteria and dirt that live on the bottom of your shoes from getting on your clean clothes in your suitcase. You can also create a mini greenhouse for seedlings; just cover the container that's holding freshly planted seeds, and the cap will keep it warm and moist to create the perfect growing environment.