Self Watering Garden Containers

Self watering planters/containers are great for any garden. You can find them in all different  sizes and styles. 

Here are just a few available at Amazon.
                                 










What is a self watering containers?

Water is stored at the bottom of the container.  Some just store the water and the plants roots will take in water when needed.  Other systems have tubing to connect for circulating the water. Both systems should give you more days in between watering.

The best part of using planters it eliminates hours of weeding.

Planted Early Straight Neck Squash - 50 Seeds in a rectangle self water container.  Just planted three seeds.  The planter itself was not a fancy one.  Made a trellis to support plant and squash.  This worked out pretty good.

Red Pontiac/Purple Majesty Potato Seeds

Want to try a two different types of potato's this year.



The Red Pontiac seeds shown here are somewhat medium to large size. 

You want to cut the seed in half, but make sure that each half has at least two to three eyes. Let the two halves form skin, before planting.



The Red Pontiac is a Mid-season maturing, plant.  Plants have a purple flower with white petals on the top, and they will spread. 


The Purple Majesty seeds here are of several sizes.  Tiny seeds do not have to be cut in half.  Medium/Large seeds should be cut in half, just like the Red Pontiac.

Remember when planting potato's, that the only grow above the original seed.  So make sure to add soil to the top of mound, if the potato's start popping out. 

Putting In A Pond

Last year over summer vacation, my two girls got bored. They came up with the idea to put a small pond in the front yard. Sounded like a great idea, but mom has one condition. They have to do all the work themselves. After clearing it with dad, they started the work right away.

My husband and I were really surprised, that by the end of the second summer the pond was taking form. It is ready for the next step.

For this year they are finished. Time to research prices for liners, plants, and pumps. Can't forget what kind of fish to put in it.

Potato, Potato, Potato

When I opened my Burpee catalog, and turn to the potato section. I didn’t realize there were so many kinds. You have the; Yukon Gold, Swedish Peanut Fingerling, Kennebec, Red Pontiac, Red Gold, Huckleberry, All Blue, Daisy Gold, and I haven’t mentioned the Sweet Potatoes yet. Oh, My!

Growing Red Pontiac Potatoes is rather simple. Keep in mind, I only had them in my garden one year. My garden is mostly sand, which worked great. Hard compacted soil will prevent the potato to grow. So make sure to work the soil often.

Instead of making a trench to place the seed in, I prefer to work the ground level soil. Lay the seed at ground level, and make a mound on top of the seed.

Simple Worm Compost

Worm composting is a fast process that turns kitchen waste into nutrient rich soil. I found the Red Wiggler worms, did an excellent job, maintaining my families kitchen scraps.

What can go into worm compost?

Vegetable scraps Tea bags
Fruit scraps Paper products (no glossy)
Coffee grounds Grass
Flower cuttings Leaves
DO NOT COMPOST MEAT, DAIRY, OR EGG PRODUCTS
Worm composting is a simple process, which can be contained to a small box inside or outside of your house.

There a many ready to go products available on the internet. Composting worms are also found on several internet sites approx. $25.00 a pound. Estimate one pound worms, per every square foot surface area. Bin only needs to be 24” deep. Composting worms don’t go deep in the ground.

Making a worm bin is simple. You just need a container big enough for your needs. Here are some examples: rubber, plastic, galvanized tub, wood, Styrofoam cooler, five gallon buckets, old wheelbarrow or even an old plastic kid pool. Treated wood should not be used; hazardous chemicals may be harmful to the worms.

Ventilation is important to the worms. Drill 1/8” holes, approx. 4 inches apart. Starting at the bottom, and work up the sides. If you plan on keeping the bin inside, do not put hole on bottom unless you have a tray.

Bedding is shredded paper products. Such as, newspaper, end of paper towel rolls, cardboard, egg cartons, junk mail. DO NOT USE glossy paper, REMOVE plastic windows from envelopes. Green grass, twigs, leaves are also used in the bedding.



When you get your wiggly friends, it’s time to get them into their new home.

Finish Preparing Bin
Moisten Shredded Bedding and layer on the bottom for the bin. Place a handful of dirt on top.

Add Worms

Place your worms on top of the bedding.

Maintain

Feed worms at least once a week. Sprinkle with water when needed. Compost bin should be moist, not dry or dripping wet. Give your compost some shade, otherwise you my bake them. Make sure you move the soil around from time to time.

Save Money !! Invest in a Garden

Starting a garden doesn't have to be expensive. I have been growing plants for years, for little money.

My garden is a little different than what my mother had. Her garden was a box garden which was filled with rows of carrots, radishes, tomatoes, cucumbers, corn. I remember watching my mother and father, either weeding or picking the vegetables.

Do you like getting your feet dirty when you work in the garden? Do you hate to weed? I personally like, using weed control fabric for both of these reasons. Simply, lay down the fabric, pour the dirt in rows or mounds. Leave enough space in between rows, so you are walking on the fabric. The walking area may look to big at first, but your crop will grow and spread out.

Don't have room for a garden. Planters come in handy for this job. I have grown tomatoes, peppers, carrots, radishes, strawberries and herbs in planters. Just make sure that the planter is big enough. If you purchase dishwasher or laundry soap in a large tall bucket. They work well for tomato plants.

The best part of having a garden for me, is sharing what I grow with friends, family and those in need.