The new home I just moved into has a bigger garden than my previous home.

Some people might add stones to the extra space in their garden, but I love to add fruit seeds, vegetable seeds, flowers, and trees.

In today’s society, many people choose to buy new products each and every time they go to the store—that was my life, too.

These days, I try to seed my own fruit and vegetables to be more sustainable and help leave a healthier earth behind for the next generation; my children and other peoples’ children.

When we seed our fruits and vegetables ourselves, we don’t have to buy products that are packed into plastic packages.

Last month, I learned that we also don’t have to buy plastic shampoo bottles. Instead, we can buy shampoo bars. For every shampoo bar we use, we save two to four plastic bottles.

So, here are four ways to be more sustainable to leave a healthier earth behind:

1. Use fewer plastic bags and bottles

When we use fewer plastic products, we save the world a little bit more. Instead of using soap that comes in plastic, consider buying soap blocks—this will help save about four plastic bottles from eventually landing in the ocean.

When I go to the store, I bring reusable cotton bags for produce and bread so I don’t have to use any plastic bags.

I know it may be hard to find some items without plastic, but we must continue to try our best to avoid those products.

2. Use cotton products

It’s not always easy, but when I buy clothes, I try to buy cotton items as much as possible. These days, there are too many products with polyester.

Polyester is made of microplastic parts and therefore, unsustainable. Those microplastic parts will make their way into the sea, and eventually, end up in the bellies of all the marine animals. And, unfortunately, this can be fatal for these creatures.

These animals need to be protected and treated as if they were also human beings. It’s important that we use our conscious minds to think about our own well-being, as well as the well-being of our planet and all the animals that reside here.

3. Save seeds from fruits and vegetables

Lately, I have been saving my seeds from my fruits and vegetables. I cut out the seeds, clean them up, save them, and then, when the time is right, I plant the seeds into the earth until they became small plants or trees. Or, I plant them in slightly large pots and sow them into the ground until the plants grow bigger.

I like to plant courgettes, pumpkins, cucumber, melons, tomatoes, beans, broccoli, red beets, onions, strawberries, carrots, and really, anything you can name.

I love to grow my own food so I can make my own recipes with what I’ve grown. Tasting my own grown vegetables and fruits is amazing—it is incredibly fulfilling, brings me such joy, and it’s better for the environment.

4. Add flowers to your garden

Not only is it great to grow your own fruits and vegetables, but it’s also important to plant different kinds of flowers that will benefit the birds and the bees.

Try to look for the flowers that fit well together and put them into one beautiful spot. Then, combine it into one square, if possible. I love to add a walking path between the different kinds of flowers.

Having a garden is wonderful—not only for the environment but because it looks beautiful and it tastes delicious.