Low Carb Gardening 2007

[Alexa]

Re: Low Carb Gardening 2007

Thanks for the idea Megs, very resourceful I think I'll go for containers this time because I've run out of soil space.

Thanks

[ValidRouge]

Re: Low Carb Gardening 2007

I bought a Salsa vegetable basket a couple weeks ago at a plant fair here in Tampa. It has roma tomato, onion, jalapeno, mint, cilantro, onion, kung pao peppers, and tomatillos. It's been great. So, then this weekend I bought a big boy tomato, yellow bell pepper, red bell pepper, and cucumbers. It's getting hot already here.

[Scooterjam]

Re: Low Carb Gardening 2007

Karen and I always plant Tomato's, Jalapeno's, Chili's, Green Peppers! This year expanding the garden. Summer squash and Zuchinni. And a pumpkin patch too. Although it won't grow till next year, we've got strawberries and rhubarb too. And growing my own herbs out on my deck. I thought it'd be cool to post some pictures during this whole thing too!

That'd be fun!! Happy Gardening friends!! Yummy!

[sallyseachange]

Re: Low Carb Gardening 2007

Sally, I can't wait until it gets warm enough to plant beans here too! There's nothing like veggies straight from the garden. I feel so good, when I can walk outside my door and pick a tomato and a few sprigs of herbs for my meal.

Baarb, yes you can grow the tomato from seed. You can plant the seeds directly into the container or you can make a newspaper pot. For a newspaper pot, you need newspaper and a food can/tin or a bottle. Take a newspaper and cut it into 6 inch wide strips. Wrap the newspaper around the bottom of the can, leaving a 2 inch overhang at the bottom. Fold the overhanging paper onto itself to form a bottom, then slide the newspaper pot out. You'll need to set the pot on a tray, fill it with soil and plant a seed, because you don't want to glue or tape the bottom. When you transfer the seeding to your container or to the ground, you don't need to peel away the paper---it will breakdown in the soil.

I hear you Megs on the joys of fresh picked veggies!

Also, what a brilliant idea... to use newspaper for seedling pots! I'll pass that on to hub who has me saving cardboard eggboxes for that, but complains about them (not quite sure what's wrong with them, but something!)

[not2late]

Re: Low Carb Gardening 2007

The paper pot idea isn't mine. I got it from a book by Jerry Baker. It's fascinating book too because he mixes up gardening and lawn sprays from common household ingredients, like dish soap, Coca Cola, tea, etc. Anyhow, I've seen a 'paper pot' maker sold for $16!

[sallyseachange]

Re: Low Carb Gardening 2007

The paper pot idea isn't mine. I got it from a book by Jerry Baker. It's fascinating book too because he mixes up gardening and lawn sprays from common household ingredients, like dish soap, Coca Cola, tea, etc. Anyhow, I've seen a 'paper pot' maker sold for $16!

Sounds like a good book. A paper pot maker? Goodness me!

[not2late]

Re: Low Carb Gardening 2007

Sally, here's a link to a paper pot maker:

http://www.seedsofchange.com/garden_...item_no=S14924

From the picture, it looks like they fold the newspaper strip before they roll it into a pot. Probably to make the pot a bit more sturdy. So I guess, using a half sheet of newspaper would be the way to do it.

But I'm too much of a penny-pincher to spend $16 on a paper pot maker. Better to use the bottles and cans I have in the pantry.

Here's another link with more ways to make a paper pot.

http://smallmeadowfarm.blogspot.com/...aper-pots.html

[sallyseachange]

Re: Low Carb Gardening 2007

Thanks for the links Megs! Nice.
I agree though... I wouldn't spend $16 on a paper pot maker... especially when you can make them so easily without.

Sally, here's a link to a paper pot maker:


http://www.seedsofchange.com/garden_...item_no=S14924

From the picture, it looks like they fold the newspaper strip before they roll it into a pot. Probably to make the pot a bit more sturdy. So I guess, using a half sheet of newspaper would be the way to do it.

But I'm too much of a penny-pincher to spend $16 on a paper pot maker. Better to use the bottles and cans I have in the pantry.

Here's another link with more ways to make a paper pot.

http://smallmeadowfarm.blogspot.com/...aper-pots.html

[jmprgrl74]

Re: Low Carb Gardening 2007

Oh cool, a gardening thread! We just picked up some tomato plants and green pepper ones last week when we went to pick strawberries. My 22 month old planted and waters her 'matos and my 11 year old is in charge of the peppers I added dill to my herbs that are already doing well (thyme, oregano, chives and rosemary.) I love being able to let the kids take part in growing things we can eat!

Pam

[sallyseachange]

Re: Low Carb Gardening 2007

You're right Pam... letting the kids get their hands dirty is really good. They learn so much from gardening and get enthusiastic about eating veggies too!

[not2late]

Re: Low Carb Gardening 2007

My parents used to involve us with the gardening too. When I was very little, my job was to push the soil over the seeds and pat it down. As I got older, my job included watering and picking.

I think it's a good activity for children to have because it teaches them how to care and nuture things; it gives them an appreciation for life in general and the work it takes to get that salad on the table; and it also gives them a feeling of pride and accomplishment that they've contributed something that the entire family (and friends) can enjoy.

Plus I think vegetables and flowers growing in the yard is beautiful not only to look at but the whole concept of living and growing.

[not2late]

Re: Low Carb Gardening 2007

I went to a herb festival over the weekend. I bought a Bay tree and had great fun looking at the variety of herbs they had.

The temps dropped around here. So my planting has been limited. I did plant some snow peas and they are poking through the soil (YAY!)

[Alexa]

Re: Low Carb Gardening 2007

Hi Megs,

Herb festival sounds lovely. I love bay - so good for daal (dahl?)

My veg is wilting - no rain here for weeks. Also something is chomping on my spinach...grrrr.

[sallyseachange]

Re: Low Carb Gardening 2007

Never had a garden without a bay... until now. I keep telling myself I must get one. Thanks for reminding me Megs. They are great to have, aren't they?

[not2late]

Re: Low Carb Gardening 2007

I'm nervous about this little tree. I was warned: don't water it too much and don't keep it too dry. lol.

There were other plants that I wanted to buy, but I couldn't think of a place to put them. For example, there was a chocolate mint plant: it smelled like chocolate mint candy. The plant guy said it makes a wonderful mint tea. But I don't have space in my yard for it.

There was also a woman selling rose-scented geraniums. They had a wonderfully rose scent---like those old-fashioned roses. Again, I wanted to buy one, but couldn't think where to put it.

Same goes for the lemon verbena, a variety of sage (the leaves were short and narrow), the fennel bulb, a horseradish plant and a bunch of other plants I would love to have.