Screw it! I'm Gardening!

 

So here we are, almost smack in the middle of February. In the northern hemisphere, it's mostly cold, damp, windy, rainy, snowy, icy...or any wintery combination thereof. The last thing on anyone's mind right now is gardening. This is true, save for one specific type of person. The gardener. Gardeners know full well that even in the colder months, some form of gardening is absolutely necessary in order to ensure the best outcome for the coming warmer months. For the novice gardener, 'garden prep' isn't something that comes as a type of second nature. Going to the local nursery, or garden center, and picking up 4 inch containers of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers is far easier than planting anything fresh out of the seed packet(s). Besides, who has the time these days to worry about having to buy all the stuff needed to start any garden from seeds? Wait....who ever said anyone had to buy anything in order to start a garden?!? 

     Do you use toilet paper, paper towels, eat things that come packaged in clear plastic containers and/or eat foods that come packaged in single serve plastic cups? Do any of you have to go drinks served in anything other than your cupped hands? Anyone out there still eat popsicles, fudgesicles or lollipops?  You see where I'm going with this, I'm sure. Those clear plastic containers that we get everything from berries to rotisserie chicken in make perfect mini-greenhouses. Got a spray bottle? Perfect water mister for starter seeds, microgreens and moss. The only thing you need to be 100% certain of is that the containers (especially plastic ones) are absolutely clean. After washing them, let them air dry. After that...you've got yourself some really good mini-greenhouses. Then there is always the issue of obtaining 'the right kind of dirt' for your seeds. Dear gods above, and below...why?! Is there dirt anywhere within walking distance of your home? Grab that. Now why would anyone just go outside and grab any dirt that's available to them? Well, because like it, or not, unless you plan on having a container garden, the roots of those plants are going to grow right into the surrounding dirt/soil anyway. That's what plants do. They seek out ways by which to allow their roots to expand, and grow.

Got milk? Maybe some eggs? How about some yogurt? Those containers can also be used to start seeds in. Egg shells can also be used, and are an amazing natural source of Calcium for your plants. Some people have even used plain kid-sized ice cream cones as starter containers. Remember, anything that is 100% biodegradable can be placed right into the ground without having to transplant the seedlings into the soil. So, while plastic is great to use as a mini-greenhouse, whatever you plant in those plastic containers will eventually have to be transplanted directly into the soil, or a larger container. Keep in mind that every time a plant is transplanted, the plant will go into a type of shock, and will need about 1 - 2 weeks to fully recover from that shock. It is at that point, when the plant will start to grow more notably. 

   It is for that specific reason that I personally prefer to use biodegradable containers to start my seeds in. When using toilet paper rolls, cut the cardboard in half. When using paper towel rolls, cut the cardboard in thirds. When using newspaper, use a toilet paper roll as a sizing guide. Wrap folded newspaper around the exterior of the toilet paper roll, and then fold in the bottom section of the newspaper, to form a type of cup. When using egg shells, be prepared to need to crack the shells a bit when transplanting. Egg shells (as all shells) are made of Calcium, which can be difficult for young roots to break through. Unlike birds, roots do not have beaks, and therefore may not have the strength to push through the shell in order to expand into the rest of the surrounding soil. Simply give the shell a light squeeze to crack it a bit, and then place it into the ground (or container).

Any fruit, or vegetable, with seeds can be saved and then grown in containers, and later be placed into either larger containers, or directly into the soil. The same is true for root plants such as, potatoes, yams, carrots, onions, garlic, and so forth. For more information on which foods can be easily regrown, simply do a Google search. You'll find that not only have you been throwing away free food sources on a regular basis, but also how many foods can actually be regrown. Some may surprise you! If you're new to gardening, here is a pro tip. Most veteran gardeners know that the colder months are when we clean, and sharpen our gardening tools. It's when we start collecting, and saving, starter containers, plant markers, seeds from our purchased produce and collecting dirt and/or soil that we will eventually use to plant our new seeds in. Oh...and if you're unsure of how deep to plant the seeds, just use your index finger as a basic guide. Simply stick the finger in the soil until you reach the first knuckle. Put the seed in that hole, and cover it with soil. Mist to keep the soil moist, and place the container in a sunny location. Keep the soil damp (but not soaked) until the seedlings are about 1 - 2 inches in height. After that, enjoy the garden!