Do Just One Thing

Smart planning for your flower beds around the house can lead to significant water and time savings. According to National Geographic, "companion planting," which consists of grouping certain plants together, can help them mutually grow. By planting taller, sun-loving plants in the back with shorter, shade-loving plants in front, the plants can help each other thrive. The taller plants block the sun's rays and also help reduce evaporation of water from the shorter plants. The symbiotic planting will help your flower beds thrive and almost grow all on their own.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Terra cotta pots are great for container gardening and are an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic pots (plus they also look better in your garden or on your patio). But what to do when they break? Instead of tossing the shards in the trash, use them to improve your garden. In rainier climates, mix the shards in the soil under the eaves of the house where rainwater can build up on stormy days. The shards will help with drainage, since terra cotta absorbs water, and you won't see them, since they'll be mixed into the soil.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Do you use Apple AirPods? These wireless buds use a small rechargeable battery, and when the battery dies, it can be nearly impossible to replace. (Apple currently does not offer a service to replace the battery.) Instead of recycling your dead AirPods, you can save money by simply using a service that installs a brand-new battery. For a fraction of the price of buying new, services like PodSwap do the work for you. They also sell lightly used, fully refurbished AirPods (they call them "Extra Loved") for a third of the price of new.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION