Spring is here! Even in our northern corners, gardeners are assessing their plots and making plans. So we thought today would be a perfect time to talk about some spring garden essentials – particularly, soil prep, including building raised beds and greenhouses, as well as solarizing the soil and encouraging kids-and-beginning-gardeners to try their green thumbs. There are no mistakes in gardening if you are learning all the time from your experience.

We start with soil and preparing for planting, discussing nine pest-preventing plants, seven DIY greenhouse projects we like, and the benefits of native plants. On the topics of food and sustainable eating, we explore how to start small in the garden with edible container gardening and the many vegetable and fruit cast-offs from cooking that can be re-grown and eaten.

In the news, get the low-down on Earth911's first sustainability awards and the recent Institute for Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) national conference, where women in recycling leadership were in the spotlight.

As usual, we answer your Earthling Questions. This week, we talk through the disposal and recovery of spoiled mulch, how and where to recycle cathode-ray tube (CRT) televisions, and the proper disposal of Roundup and other herbicides and pesticides.