How to Grow Veggies and Herbs in Containers

How to Grow Veggies and Herbs in Containers

Growing plants in containers is a great way to grow your own herbs and veggies where space is limited. From tomatoes to potatoes and virtually everything in between, container gardening is as fun as it is easy and the results are often surprising. A single tomato plant grown in a 5-gallon bucket can yield between 20-30 lbs of tomatoes if done correctly.The trick is to remember that plants grown in containers have very different nutritional and watering needs than plants grown in the ground. For starters, choosing the right container is important to the success of your harvest. Plants that grow more than 10” tall or plants whose root base is extensive should not be planted in containers less than 5 gallons. Basil, sage, chamomile, tomatoes and green beans are among those who need a large container. Containers for these plants should have the holes drilled on the side of the container as opposed to the bottom to allow proper drainage and from keeping taproots from burrowing beneath the container. Root vegetables such as carrots and potatoes can be successfully grown in large trash barrels or 55 gallon drums. The same rule for drilling holes applies to these as well. Thick (5 mil or higher) black plastic trash bags are a great alternative for growing plants that love heat like peppers, simply fill the bag with soil, tie shut and lay flat. Cut a small hole on top with a sharp knife and insert your plant. It's that simple! You can use the bags successfully for other plants as well, especially if you want to harden them off in the spring. As the season heats up, simply paint the bags white to deflect harsh sunlight and keep the roots cooler.

When choosing soil for your plants, be sure to check for peat moss and vermiculite content. These two ingredients will ensure proper drainage and help keep moisture locked in. A good soil to try for potted plants is Promix®. The best soil you can use however, is a 50/50 mix of potting soil and compost. The compost will add additional moisture and nutrients your plants will need to stay healthy. To help with drainage, cover the bottom of your pot with ¾ inch of playground sand before adding soil. Don't be afraid to mix a small amount in with your soil too, especially for plants like Lavender and Aloe.

Soil in containers tends to dry out a lot more quickly than the soil in the ground. In hot, dry weather, plants may need to be watered up to twice a day to keep them from wilting. It's always best to check your soil early in the morning. If it's not moist up to the first knuckle on your index finger, you'll need to water your plant so that it doesn't dry out during the day. Check your plants again in the late evening to make sure they haven't dried out too much during the day. If the soil is still moist to the first knuckle, hold off until morning to water. Never water your plants during mid-day, especially if the weather is hot. Even small droplets of water can severely burn your leaves and the sudden moisture can send your plant into shock.

Though most good potting soils contain nutrients to help your plants grow well, over time, those nutrients leach from the soil and must be replaced to keep your plants growing well. Comfrey Tea and worm poop are two completely organic and highly effective fertilizers your plants will love! Comfrey tea is especially good for herbs as it is high in nitrates. Both comfrey tea and worm poop can be added 1-2 times per month as needed. Cow manure is another really good organic fertilizer. It's best to add this to the soil a month or so PRIOR to planting.

Recycling Tips

Photo: dosomething.org

Recycling not only helps the environment by eliminating waste from the landfills, but it also helps decrease the amount of natural resources we need to use, since we already have the materials we need to work with. If you're not already recycling, here are a few easy tips to get you started:

-Create (or purchase) bins to store your recyclables in. They don't have to be fancy or even have the recycle symbol on it. They can be as simple as an old laundry basket. 

-Keep your recycle bins in an area that you are most likely to use them. For example, keep a small bin for paper waste near your desk or wherever you sort mail or use the most paper. Keep a small bin in the kitchen that you can empty into a larger barrel as it becomes full to store items such as paperboard, plastics and aluminum. 

-Keep recycled containers clean so they don't create offensive odors or attract pests like flies, cockroaches and maggots. You can use recycled water to clean them.

-Consider re-purposing items for things you need around the home such as shelving, storage containers and so on.

-To save space in your bins, crush or flatten your recyclables. They will still be recyclable.

-When recycling paper, make sure you remove address labels and confidential information. Those should be shredded.

-Use shredded paper to line animal cages instead of wood chips. You can also add it to worm bedding if you're doing vermiculture.

-Check with your local recycling/waste management office to find out which items are accepted in your area before saving them.

-If you live in an area that doesn't provide curbside recycling, consider only making one to two trips per month. Even better, consider carpooling with neighbors and have fun on the trip!

-remember that anything made of metal can be recycled. Contact your local waste management office to find out how to recycle old appliances.

-If you want to dispose of items such as clothing, furniture, and household items that are still usable, try posting them on Craig's List, Listia and Freecycle so that others can benefit from them as well.

-Most aerosol cans made of steel are recyclable too, so don't forget to add those to your bin.

-Rechargeable batteries contain heavy metals and need to be recycled. Most retailers who sell them, will also take recycled ones.

-Plastic shopping bags can be recycled at many big chain stores including Meijer, Wal-Mart and many chain grocery stores. Some county recycling centers will take them as well depending on where you live. Check with your local center first.

Remember, if every person recycled their trash, we could save over 10.4 MILLION pounds of trash from reaching landfills each year!!! 

Until next time, 

Be Well!

How to Use Less Paper

Photo courtesy: recyclingworksma.com

Every day, we waste millions of pounds of paper. Imagine how many trees we could save if we only recycled all that material! Here are several ways you can start reducing the amount of paper you use and throw away right now!

Save your Paper.

 - Use both sides for printing. 

 - Use the backs of old documents for kids to color on instead of using fresh sheets. 

 - Cut old documents in horizontally and use the backs for scrap paper.

 - Donate your old magazines and newspapers to local hospitals, nursing homes, pre-schools or after-school programs.

 - Share unwanted coupons with your friends and neighbors or donate them to your local food bank or community access organization or try starting a couponing club in your neighborhood. You'll be surprised at how much fun you can have on a dreary afternoon chatting and planning your money-saving shopping trip.

 - If you have internet access at home, try opting to receive bank statements, utility bill statements and other notices via e-mail instead.

Recycle used paper

 - Once you've used a piece of paper as much as you can, place it in the recycle bin. 

 -  Shredded paper can be recycled too, so don't forget to include it in your bin.

 - Keep a recycle bin near your desk or wherever you sort mail. That way, envelopes, junk mail and old statements can be recycled right away.

 - Remember that paper that has been contaminated with food such as food wrappers or paper napkins are not recyclable, so keep those out of the recycle bin so you don't have to sort them out later.

 - Keep another recycle bin in the kitchen to recycle cardboard and packaging. 

 - Know what to recycle. Packaging for frozen/refrigerated foods, hard-cover books, bubble mailers, and paper coated in wax or plastic are not recyclable. If you're unsure about whether an item is recyclable or not, contact your local waste management office.

Reduce Your Junk Mail

Tired of getting piles of junk mail? Here's how to get your name off those lists for good:

1. There are a number of websites available to get your name off junk mail lists. Here are a few good ones:

dmachoice.org  

catalogchoice.org

yellowpagesoptout.com

optoutprescreen.com

2. When filling out applications or contact information on-line, be sure to read every line and un-check boxes that allow companies to contact you with advertisements and special offers. These mailing lists can be shared, bought and sold, so once you sign up for one, you may end up on a number of others as well.

3. Don't sign up for mailing lists as malls, flea-markets and events unless you really do want information being sent to you from that company/organization. Always ask for an email option if one is available. Most companies would be happy to do this as it saves them money in postage as well.

4. You can also contact companies including banks directly and ask them not to send you junk mail, credit card offers, coupons and other solicitations unless you request them. 

5. Be wary of participating in surveys that ask for your address. 

6. You can also place a notice on your mailbox and on your property telling postal workers, salespeople and others that you do not want unsolicited materials being delivered there. 

Get Kids Involved!

Create fun activities using recycled paper for kids and use the time to teach the importance of recycling and conservation. 

A few good sites to get some great ideas are:

spoonful.com 

kinderart.com

babble.com

Until next time,

Be Well!

When to Start your Seeds

Photo courtesy: www.responsibletechnology.org

One of the biggest mistakes gardeners make is starting their seeds too early. As temperatures begin to climb and the days get noticeably longer, the temptation to force the season is great.  Plants that are started to early will elongate (get spindly trying to find sunlight) and become brittle and susceptible to disease. Even if they manage to grow, the rough start will yield a poor harvest, so you'll end up working hard and wasting valuable garden space for nothing.

The first thing you want to consider before starting seeds is your hardiness zone. A hardiness zone refers to the area of the country you live in. Each zone has different plating times due to weather, frost dates and so on. For folks in the US.. a hardiness zone map is available at:

 http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWe

Each zone has different planting requirements, so check to see what the requirements are in your area.  Most seed packets are labeled with zone planting suggestions so check the labels before opening them. 

The next thing you want to consider is the plant itself. Many herbs won't withstand even a light frost, while some thrive in the cooler temperatures, so it's best to read up on the herb before you plant it. Some vegetables like Kale and Carrots (called cold crops) do well in cool temperatures so starting those in a sheltered garden will work just fine during the colder weeks, such as the end of February in zones 9-6 in the US. Zones 5 and above will still be too cold this time of year, so it's best to wait until mid-March or even early April depending on the zone.

Last but not least, always check to see which seeds you can start indoors and which seeds need to be sewn directly into the ground. Remember, each plant has special growing needs, so always do your homework before you plant. That way, you will save valuable time and money and get the harvest you dream of in the end. 

Until next time,

Be Well!

The Magic of Mud

When I was a kid, there were three things that my siblings and I looked forward to each spring: Easter Baskets, puddles and mud. My favorite was mud. Mud pies, mud soup, mud monsters and who can top magical mud that turns monsters into goo and gives you the power to run super fast? 

Little did I know then that all that mud actually had healing properties as well! Perfect for bee-stings (it will literally draw out the stinger!), sunburns (It will cool the burn and actually help the skin heal) and facials (It will draw out any impurities and leave the face/body cleansed and radiant!), mud is one of the most useful, available and natural remedies there is. 

Not only is it great for healing, but mud is also good at keeping away insects (just ask a Caribou!) and believe it or not, for cleaning! Use mud to get tough goo like auto grease and tar off your hands, then wash as usual. 

So this year, reclaim the inner child in you and get out and play in the mud. Scoop out a little for a nice facial while you're at it. You won't regret it. 

Until next time, 

Be well!

Spring Cleaning Recipes

Ahh, the thought of spring! After months of long nights, cold days and snow, just the idea of spring and pretty flowers is enough to brighten anyone's day. As we anxiously await the warmer temperatures, many of us begin our spring cleaning so that once the weather breaks, we can spend it outdoors. This year, why not help the environment and try a few "Green" cleaning tips?

Here are a few to get you started:

For Walls, Floors and Cupboards:

To 3 Gallons of water, add:

1/2 cup Borax
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup white or apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup salt
1 teaspoon of Bergamot or Tea Tree oil.

Stir to blend and wash as usual. Makes a great disinfectant for kitchen surfaces too!

For Wood Furniture:

Combine 1/2 cup olive oil with 1/8 cup lemon juice and 1-2 drops of Vitamin E oil.

Apply with a clean rag. Leaves furniture shiny!

For Drains:

Pour 1 cup of white vinegar followed by 1/2 cup baking soda into your drain and let set for 15 minutes. Rinse with clean, hot water.

For counters, sinks, tub and tiles:

Mix 1 cup of baking soda with 1 cup of Borax and 1 cup of salt. Dampen the area with a clean, damp rag. Sprinkle a little of the mixture onto the rag and rub onto the surface. Rinse clean.

For stains or mildew, add a little lemon juice.

Garbage Disposal

Add 1 lemon, cut up and one cup HOT white vinegar. Let stand 3-5 minutes. Add 2 cups ice chips and 1/2 cup baking soda and turn disposal on. Rinse with hot water. Repeat as necessary.

Dish Washer Detergent:

Mix 2 Tablespoons of baking soda with 2 Tablespoons of Borax and use to wash dishes. For tough grease and grime, sprinkle a little over the dishes as well.

Tea Pots and Coffee Pots

In the pot, combine 1 cup of vinegar and 4 Tablespoons of baking soda. Let fizz, then use the mixture to scrub the pots clean.

Coffee Maker:

Brew 1 quart (less for small coffee pots) and 1/4 cup baking soda with 1/4 cup lemon juice. Allow to finish the cycle, then brew a pot of clean water.

Microwave:

For caked on grime, combine 1 quart warm water, 4 Tablespoons of baking soda and 2-3 drops of Bergamot or Lemon essential oil. Dampen a sponge or clean rag with the mixture and scrub as usual.

For Greasy Grill or Oven Racks:

Place the racks in a plastic bags outdoors. Mix 1 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup ammonia and pour over the racks. Close the bag tightly and let stand overnight. Racks will wipe clean in the morning. Rinse well with hot water.


For Carpets:

Mix 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1/2 cup baking soda and 15 drops of your favorite essential oil. Sprinkle on carpets and let stand overnight. Vacuum as usual in the morning. IMPORTANT: Be sure to test a small, inconspicuous spot with the mixture first, as some oils may stain.

For Smelly gym bags, Suitcases or storage totes:

Sprinkle a little baking soda and let stand overnight. Vacuum out the baking soda and odors in the morning.

Helpful Hint: To prevent critters like cockroaches and bedbugs from climbing into your luggage and coming home with you, sprinkle a little Borax inside. The boric acid will deter the bugs and kill any that come inside.

Experiment with your recipes and have fun!

Until Next Time,

Be Well!

Growing and Using Stevia

photo courtesy: exgrowgarden.com

Over the past decade, Stevia's popularity among gardeners and healthy-conscious people has grown considerably. Part of it's attraction are the super-sweet leaves that are used in place of cane sugar and artificial sweeteners. Up to 30 times sweeter than cane sugar and zero calories, the leaves offer an irresistible alternative for desserts and sweet dishes of all types, including baked goods, since Stevia is heat stable as well.

Stevia is very easy to grow and does well even in colder climates. It is a tender perennial, so it's best to bring this indoors during the winter months. Though it prefers full sun, this tasty herb will tolerate light shade and as long as it has well-drained soil, will grow with very little effort. Starting Stevia from seed can be tricky however. Germination is unpredictable, so it's best to grow this herb from rooted cuttings whenever possible. Plant outdoors after danger of frost has passed. In hotter climates, it's best to grow this plant in an area that gets afternoon shade.

To use Stevia, harvest fresh leaves after the plant has grown to about 8" tall. Dry the leaves out of direct sunlight in an area that gets good air circulation. Once dry, simply crush the leaves and use like regular sugar.

Just a quick note: Though Stevia is heat and shelf stable, it does not work like can sugar in all instances, and should not be used for home canning or to candy fruits.

Until next time,

Be well!