After reading this post, don't forget to enter our contest – you could win a new dishwasher. Plus, do you have your own story to tell? Send it to greenchallenge@canadianliving.com (no more than 300 words, please), and you could win one of 30 daily prizes. Today's winner is Dot Mann.

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My six-year-old son, Jakob, didn't like the loud noise of the lawn mower so he really wanted a push mower. We bought a push mower without even thinking about the environment. Now I use it all the time and rarely have to use the gas mower all summer long. It's environmentally friendly and is very good exercise. Composting is also a great way to reduce the garbage taken to the landfill sites. It is great for gardens. Also use a rain barrel for watering your garden. This summer I would like to invest in some solar lights for the deck and garden.

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Thanks to Dot for sending in her story – and don't forget, if you still haven't entered, there's still time to send your own story to greenchallenge@canadianliving.com. Dot wins a woven rattan purse courtesy of Ten Thousand Villages. Today's code word: mower Read more: • How to plant a tree • How saving water will save you money • Guide to green gardening