So, my neighbors and I have decided our efforts to salvage our health and the environment by driving to various grocery stores throughout the region in search of organic labeling is wasting time, energy and burning up so much fuel that it's rendering our efforts a wash.

This spring, we're embarking on a community garden. It will be in my backyard, which offers the best space, sun exposure and protection from trampelling by large dogs. We plan to rotate chores such as planting, weeding and harvesting on a weekly basis. And we all get to enjoy the fruits, and vegetables, of our labor.

We've scoured a ton of references and are in the process of collecting supplies. There's information on composting, lasagna gardening and guides from what's in season when. I like the National Gardening Association's Edible Landscaping with Charlie Nardozzi. There are some particularly good articles for beginners in his primer section. The Garden Helper is another good resource and offers a calendar of monthly tasks and a forum. I have always found my local Master Gardeners helpful as well. You can search the site for your local chapter.

We're getting ready to grow seeds in our basements while we wait for the last frost to pass. And we've decided to try lasagna gardening. I've never been so ready for spring.

Skip ahead

• Easy ways to save your scraps
• Do you eat "real food?"
• How to grow your own