So...It's time. To start a garden.
You say you cannot garden? that you are just going to bite the bullet and pay the higher prices? That it is too hard to get to the farmer's market on Saturday morning?Or you will just not be eating anything veggie unless it's frozen? Then here is an idea that will work for even those with apartments ( if you only have windows no stoop or patio, think herbs in pots in the window. At the price of those little packages of herbs, it's worth it. and tastier.) We have a child's plastic wheelbarrow, it has square areas for tools and then the body of the wheelbarrow. so we are making Jackson his own garden. We have bought the three strawberry plants...and are chitting potatoes in the window ( letting them green up and sprout.) If they fail, we will buy some seed potato. We do have to create drainage holes. As Megan says, a big nail and a hammer will do that just fine. we have to do top and then bottom as this wheelbarrow is double walled. A drill would be faster but maybe not as much fun! We will put small stones over the holes on top so the soil does not slip slide away. I bought potting soil at Costco.. a huge bag for less than ten dollars. we also have compost and manure piles.I do use Espoma as well, and lime in the outside gardens,. not needed for potting soil.,not good for potatoes anyway.(you can dip them in sulfur to help with rotting.) So we plant the three strawberries, then put in about six inches of soil in the body of the wheelbarrow . the potato starts are placed-this will take maybe three of fingerling size....and covered. You can continue to fill with soil...or straw, as the potatoes grow.Lots of choices.keep it watered in dry spells ( Jackson can do that with a small watering can) and perhaps add Espoma or other natural fertilizer once a month ( just a little bit!) Jackson can wheel the little wheelbarrow into the sun whenever he wants. He will be able to see his strawberries ripen to red. And kids are always impressed by pulling potatoes out of the ground. This is not just entertainment or an experiment. You can grow some of your own food. Taking a found object...with wheels! means you can chase the sun if you need to for better plant growth,. We also have a little red wagon that may get pots for sunflowers. I think it would be adorable, Jackson could help get the seeds out of the heads and even feed them to the chickens! Given our acid soil, I am rather glad for the potting soil....less for me to do to bring it up to par. and here is another hint. Never toss even the worst old potting soil from pots away.Throw it on the compost pile! A low planter with lettuce.. a bag or pot with a tomato plant ( don;t forget the egg shells in the soil for the calcium) just that tiny bit of independence, a reminder we are not dependent on big agro business to eat. And for heaven's sake start getting up and going to your local farmer's market. Fresh, relatively cheap fruits and vegetables are good for you, and keeping local farmers in business is good for all of us. |
Faith and ReasonA grandma's perspective on a few things.. Archives
May 2020
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