A friend of mine gave me an amazing tip for starting plants in my garden. I've never started plants from seeds, but she said it was a hell of a lot cheaper, and really simple. I started saving the cardboard tubes that we're all familiar with. Don't you feel good when you recycle?
I filled them with dirt, dropped some seeds in them, and kept them hydrated.
Whoa - three weeks later, I had about a dozen zucchini plants.
In fact, I had so many, I took some to the Carving Class and shared them with everyone. We all agreed - we need to do this every year, with each of us starting a different plant.
The little plants were really healthy,
and went into the ground easily.
But it was still a little chilly at night when I planted them, so I covered them with yet another recycled container - one of those large clear tubs you get when you buy an industrial supply of spinach.
(Or - as Stella says - green treats.)
(Or - as Stella says - green treats.)
Here's that same plant, six weeks later.
And another.
All told, I have about a half dozen around the yard. Yes, I love zucchini!
That got me thinking - what else could I start from seeds? I love this yucca plant, the pink shoots and flowers attract hummingbirds all Summer long, but the local nursery charges way too much for them.
You guessed it - I saved up some more rolls
and found a pod of seeds laying near the plant. The plant drops these pods at the end of the summer. I never knew what was inside until I noticed Stella gnawing on one. She had little black seeds all over her tongue, and you know what your mom says - if you're going to eat that, you're going to have plants growing in your stomach!!! (Where do mothers get those lines?)
I grabbed some of my favorite planting mix
but you-know-who was all about playing, rather than helping.
Fold the bottom up,
put a little dirt in it and drop in some seeds.
Keep your fingers crossed.
Of course, just after I planted all these seeds, I read an article about pre-soaking the seeds before planting them - that it gives them a boost in the sprouting stage.
Next time!
These will be out in the sun until they're ready to go in the ground.
Here's a recipe for a great organic weed killer - don't you feel guilty spraying highly toxic stuff on weeds? I know I do! I'm planning on making a batch of this ASAP.
Yup, that's it - pretty much what I fill my Sundays with - gardening, working around the house, and catching up on my R & R. This lettuce looks great, doesn't it?
Speaking of R & R, someone asked me the other day what I do for relaxation. Ummm.... I had to think about that one. Yesterday I had the day off, and this is what I played with - a simple carving based on a tee-shirt I just bought.
It was an interesting design, so I thought I'd try my hand at it.
Happy Earth Day!
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