Eco hobbies

Being green doesn't have to be all about being frugal, cutting down on luxuries, and generally minimising all opportunities to have fun. Getting an eco hobby can make you healthy, happy and wise – and that's before you consider the warm glow of satisfaction you'll get from helping to save the planet.

Gardening is perhaps the ultimate green hobby. Growing your own vegetables means you get to eat fresh, organic, local produce. This is the type of food that costs the earth in the supermarket, but with a little care and attention you can have it literally growing on trees, or up from the ground. Gardening is also extremely good exercise, and comes without all the carbon generated by gyms, with their electric machinery, heating, air-conditioning systems, drinks machines and the rest – it's cheaper too.

If you don't have your own garden, put your name down for a spot at your local allotment or join a 'green gym' – conservation projects involving regular outdoor work. Green gyms are run by the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.

Green fingers

If growing food doesn't take your fancy, you can plant flowers. Gardens provide a vital environment for wildlife, and flowers can help bees prosper – the continuing decline in the bee population has huge environmental implications as bees are solely responsible for pollinating many fruit and vegetable varieties.

Albert Einstein is reported to have said that when the bees die out, humans will have four years left. This makes beekeeping seem like one of the most worthwhile activities you could possibly pursue.

As well as being very green, beekeeping is also hugely rewarding, and you get to enjoy your own honey – with no air miles except those flown by the bees. For advice on starting beekeeping, contact the British Beekeepers' Association.

Forage away

Another way to sample luxury organic fare grown in the most environmentally friendly way possible, and all for free, is to go foraging. From perennial favourites such as blackberries and sweet chestnuts, to mushrooms, hazelnuts and sloes, there is a wealth of food out there just waiting to be gathered. Of course, knowing what to pick and when is a real skill, and so to avoid a bellyache it's best to do some studying first. Either get a good book, such as Food for Free by Richard Mabey, or do a short course – a quick Internet search should throw up something local to you. If you're still not sure whether you're picking the right thing though, it's probably safest to leave it where it is.

Another worthwhile way to spend your spare time, and infinitely more interesting than another weekend slouched in front of the TV watching repeats, is to volunteer on a local conservation or environmental project. But don't try to be green by driving 20 miles to spend an hour mending a hedge, as the pollution caused by your journey will be counter-productive. Try to take public transport, or share a lift with someone else on the project if you can. If you are really keen, you could even go on a conservation holiday– these range from tracking marine life in the high seas, to learning the art of dry stone walling.

There are many other green hobbies you could try, from cycling to making artworks from recycled objects. So why don't you turn off that electricity-consuming TV and do something else less boring instead!

Related information:

Holidays that help – how to find a charity or volunteering holiday.
Fire safety in the garden – barbeques and bonfires can cause considerable damage if not properly organised or supervised – find out more about how to stay safe.
De-clutter your home – looking for other constructive projects for a rainy day? Check out our guide to spring-cleaning the organised way!