earth day

Don't fret once the glow of Tax Day freebies wears off. Earth Day is another great day that's chock-full of free stuff and discounts. Retailers everywhere celebrate being green by offering consumers free loot that, naturally, has an eco tie-in. Here are some you shouldn't miss out on:

Amazon: The online retailer is offering many products for sale in its Earth Day store, including 15 percent off select Brita pitchers. 

Anthropologie: Check out these Anthropologie locations to see what free Earth Day craft workshops will be held near you.

The Body Shop: Get a free Earth Lovers Shower Gel with any purchase using this coupon or using the 3MINUTE promo code at checkout.

Caribou Coffee: Get a free cup of coffee at any Caribou location on April 22 when you bring in a reusable cup.

Disney: Get a free (and really cute!) tote bag at the Disney store in exchange for five plastic bags on April 22. 

Drugstore.com: Shop green products that are natural and organic at Drugstore.com today, and get 20 percent off.

Evos: Get a free organic milkshake at Evos on April 22. 

Jo-Ann: On April 21, stop by your local Jo-Ann's fabric and craft store and participate in a workshop and get a free bell-jar planter. The first 50 customers on April 22 will get a free reusuable bag. 

Michael's: Free t-shirt upcycling demonstration on April 20. 

National Parks: Enter a national park from April 22-26, and you won't have to pay an admission fee! 

Origins: Get a tree planted for free if you buy one of these products.

Pottery Barn: Pottery Barn Kids is giving away free seeds from April 20-22.

Peet's: Get a free medium beverage with every purchased tumbler or mug from April 20-22. 

Target: Every customer gets one free reusable bag on April 21 starting at 10 a.m. while supplies last.

Wegman's: At your local Wegman's on April 20, the first 300 customers can exchange a plastic bag for a reusable one. 

Earth Day is today, and it always serves as a good reminder to rethink our eating habits and cooking practices. There are so many small changes that we all can make in our everyday lives that, over time, significantly impact the world that we live in. While we may not be able to implement all of these changes all of the time, it is important to consider how our actions affect the bigger picture. Find out how you can make a difference when you keep reading.

When April showers aren't prepping May flowers, we can be found in the backyard flexing our green thumbs. Since we're no professionals in the world of gardening, digital resources are a must in learning which plants will thrive in a specific climate and how to produce vegetables worthy of a farmers market. Download one of these five apps this weekend to get your Spring (and Earth Month!) gardening in gear.

• Landscaper's Companion ($6) — Need to know how to grow just about anything under the sun? With facts on over 22,000 plants, this app is your gardening go-to. You won't want to hit the garden store without downloading this.
• Home Outside Palette ($2) — Draft a dream backyard to rival those on the pages of the most beautiful gardening magazine. Plot sections of produce, deck space, hammocks, or quiet meditation gardens to turn a drab backyard into a relaxation center. 

See how your garden can grow with three more green apps after the break.

It's always a waste when you can't finish the fresh produce you bought at the grocery store and end up throwing away the wilting remains. Here's a solution that will save you money and avoid unnecessary waste: grow your own greens. There are many fruits and vegetables you can grow in your home — yes, even if you live in a cramped studio. I've picked a couple of foods that you most likely use in your kitchen:

Tomatoes

You probably use tomatoes in all types of food — soup, sandwiches, salads, and more — so it only makes sense to grow your own. Pick tomato plants that do well indoors. You'll have higher chances of success with the smaller variety such as cherry tomatoes. Find more instructions on how to grow them here.

Herbs

Herbs are a must to add fragrance to your dishes, but when you buy them from the grocery store, they are not always fresh, and they may wilt way before you're done with them. Many herbs can be grown indoors and are perfect for small spaces, so do your research before deciding to grow them. Some herbs that don't take up much space and don't require as much sunlight include parsley and chives.

Mushrooms

You've probably seen lots of mushroom growing kits around, which goes to show how easy it is to grow them yourself. And they are perfect for apartment dwellers because they need to be grown in the dark. You can always start with a kit to get the basics of mushroom growing down before venturing out on your own.

What fruits and vegetables have you successfully grown indoors?

Becoming more eco-friendly really is a win-win situation for everyone. You save more money in the long run, but you're also doing your part to help keep the Earth healthy. However, it's hard to fix up your home when you're living in an apartment. After all, it's not like you can install solar panels to power lighting, but there still are some minor home improvements that you can do that will make a world of difference. Here are some ways you can green up your apartment: 

• Get a clothesline. Hang your clothes to dry whenever you can instead of throwing them in the dryer. This not only will help your clothes last longer, but it will also cut down on usage of the dryer.
• Solar gadgets. Consider investing in small solar gadgets, such as solar chargers or flashlights, so you're relying on a renewable energy source as well as saving money on your utility bill. Further, these gadgets are great for emergencies. After all, when the power is out, you can always rely on the sun's energy to charge your cell phone. 
• Consider blackout curtains. Covering your windows with blackout curtains is a good way of saving energy because they can trap in heat during the Winter and keep it out during the Summer. These curtains are also really affordable and can be conveniently bought at many locations, such as Target or your local department store. 
• Replace your bulbs. Replace your lightbulbs with energy-efficient ones to save energy and money. An energy-efficient bulb uses 75 percent less energy than a traditional incandescent bulb and lasts six times longer.

Read on for more.