Earth Day has been celebrated on every April 22nd of my lifetime – but that wasn't always the case. In 1962, Senator Gaylord Nelson became concerned about the state of our environment and resolved to do something about it. Through his efforts the first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970 and this year is its 38th anniversary.

Here, at Farmers' Almanac TV, we are celebrating this Earth Day the entire month of April by helping you find useful ways to live more in harmony with the natural world. As a wife and a mother, living in an urban environment, I search for ways to live resourcefully and sustainably, while taking better care of the earth. Some of the ways I've found to do that is to produce more and consume less. The following things have helped me:

I grow and eat an organic diet of my own herbs and vegetables in raised beds, which saves money.

I designed my garden with three things in mind:

1. Maximizing growing space
2. Making it inviting
3. Designing it to fit the urban landscape

Earth Day reminds us that it's important to be working locally and thinking globally. Here are some ideas for you to try in your home and community.

Challenge your kids to pick up can and bottles, which can be redeemed. Start a fund for a green cause in your community with the money. Extend the challenge to your community.

Track your carbon footprint for a year by keeping a family diary as you recognize how large it is, find ways to reduce it week by week.

How many food miles are racked up, by what you are consuming? Search out local farmers' markets – support local suppliers.

One of the things I consider most important is to teach your kids to live healthier and provide for themselves, even on a small scale thru gardening and husbandry projects. This is an essential step toward preserving our culture and living sustainably and in harmony with nature.

We hope this Earth Day inspires everyone to take better care of the earth. And we hope that we can help you to live a more sustainable and resourceful life.

Patti Moreno, The Garden Girl

Helping you to grow green!

Raised Bed Assembly – Step by Step

Step 1 Level your ground

Step 2 Lay weed blocking cloth or gravel

Step 3 Lay out bottom tier of the raised bed

Step 4 Secure 1st tier with pins

Step 5 Lay out top tier of the raised bed

Step 6 Hammer the pins securely into the ground

Step 7 Fill your box with organic soil, compost, vermaculture and plant!

Grand Prize
Two 4x6x11 Naturalyards raised beds, $100 gift certificate to Johnny's Selected Seeds, 2008 Farmers' Almanac , and consultation on how to plant the raised beds from Patti Moreno, "The Garden Girl" and host of Farmers' Almanac TV – a $500 value!

Second Place Prize
2nd place prizes consisting of One 4x4x11 Naturalyards raised bed, $25 gift certificate from Johnny's Selected Seeds, 2008 Farmers' Almanac, and consultation from Patti Moreno.

Third Place Prize
Two 3x3x11 raised beds, $15 gift certificate from Johnny'e Selected Seeds, and a 2008 Farmers' Almanac.