Do Just One Thing

When it’s time to get your backyard vegetable garden going, consider giving the tiny transplants a little nutritional boost. Save (or collect from friends) expired multivitamins as something nutritious and healthy to give plants. When you make a hole in the ground for, say, a bell pepper plant, pop a vitamin in the hole first. As the vitamin dissolves, it’ll give a boost to the plant and help it thrive. Many gardeners who have tried this trick have found great success with prolific and overproducing plants in their garden.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

One of the easiest ways to “green your stay” at hotels is to simply hang the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door. This stops housekeeping from changing your sheets, using water and wasting natural resources to get your room clean. Many hotel chains now reward guests for going green or for opting out of housekeeping. They’ll often give you a free drink at the bar, breakfast or reward points applicable toward your frequent guest account.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

More than $750 million goes unspent every year from gift cards, and it’s a shame, because the unused balances could be used to do some good. Many charities will accept your unused cards from almost any retailer. They’ll either use the balance to buy much-needed items for their works -- like clothing or food -- or they’ll sell the gift cards to raise funds for their nonprofit work. Take the time to rummage through your wallet, purse or junk drawer and give your unused gift cards away. Even a card with a few pennies left on it is better used than unused.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION