Seedlings

May 21, 2009 at 9:10 pm · Filed under Food ·Tagged , , ,

I finally got my tomato seeds into the perfect conditions for growing. The seeds were placed in my makeshift egg-box recycled seedling container. It being already warm I placed them on the back patio where they would get some sunshine during the early part of the day and benefit from the general humidity in the afternoons.

And I’m very proud to announce that after only 5 days the seedlings are developing beautifully. I planted 20 seeds (12 plum and 8 heirloom). As of today there are 10 of the plum and 2 heirlooms showing the initial leaves.

The next step is to transfer them into a larger container to develop some more leaves before placing them in their final home. Wondering what to recycle for this purpose. I have some Styrofoam cups in my cupboard that have been there for ages. Not very green but better than turning them into landfill. I think they will make a good intermediate seedling pot. I’m open to other ideas.

Will post some pics of the first leaves soon.

It’s exciting to see something you planted grow!

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To grow tomatos

April 3, 2009 at 9:05 pm · Filed under Food ·Tagged , , , ,

To start seedlings I’m going to need a few items.

1. Seeds – fresh seeds from a reputable company. I found burpee.com to have a wide range of seeds and have placed my order.

Tomato Seeds

Tomato Seeds

2. Containers/pots – my recycling creativity has taken over here. Instead of purchasing seed trays whether biodegradable or not I’m going to use egg cartons. I wish I could say the idea was mine but I found this one online. I think its a great use of something that I would have otherwise thrown out.

Recycle

Recycle

3. Soiless mix for seed starting – soiless you might ask. From what I’ve read this is what is used. It gives the seeds the best chance without having to fight whatever insects, fungus for example that occurs in soil mixes.

4. Good place to keep the pots – from what I’ve read seeds need a 70 degree environment to do well. They suggest covering the container with plastic to keep the soil moist and the environment humid, like a green house. Somewhere sunny like a window sill for warmth. Not sure where I’m going to put this yet. My cat is quite nosy and there is no where that is out of reach for her.

I await the arrival of my seeds and I’ll have to get the soiless mix soon. The egg cartons I’ve been saving. Hopefully I have the patience for this.

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Backyard Garden

April 3, 2009 at 8:15 pm · Filed under Food ·Tagged , , , ,

Well the country’s first lady is starting her garden for the spring I figure I should get the ball rolling as well. I certainly don’t have the space she has but there’s a lot that can be done with my back yard patio. I’m lacking much garden bed space so my garden will be a potted garden.

Yummy Tomato

Yummy Tomato

Now the #1 garden must have in the US is the tomato plant. It’s a great choice for me too as it does well in pots.
To step up the challenge a notch I’ve decided to start my own plants from seeds. Now I’ve never done anything like this before so yeah! for the new experience.

My next step is to get all the tools I’ll need to start seedlings. I plan to use as much as possible things I already have around the house. Re-use and re-cycle is the order of the day.

Stay tuned.

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Laundry Ball

March 7, 2009 at 10:46 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , ,

I recently learned about the laundry ball. I don’t know how long it’s been around but the idea is amazing. One companies website says no need for detergent but another said very little detergent needed.   A little more research needed but I’m willing to try the product.

There is also dryer balls which are suppose to help the clothes to dry faster thus using less electricity.

I will keep you posted on the results of my experiments.

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Salt

March 5, 2009 at 9:01 pm · Filed under tips ·Tagged , , , ,

The recorded use of salt dates back to 6000 BC. Salt was used as a food preservative especially for meat. Today it is a popular food seasoning and salt flavor is one of the basic tastes. But did you know there are other uses for the common household salt.

1. It will prevent grease from splashing.

Household use of salt

Household use of salt

Throw a few pinches of salt into the frying pan before frying and avoid the messy cleanup. And save you from buying one of those splash guards.

2. Use if to wash your green leafy vegetables which we’re all eating more of. Vegetables like kale and spinach with its curly leaves can be difficult to wash. Well a 1/2 sink full of cold water and 1/2 cup of salt will do the trick.

3. Use it to freshen up your waste disposal. Pour a cup of salt in, run the water and turn on the unit. It will remove all those greasy deposits.

And my favorite

4. Use as a bath rub. Just dip the mitt into a bag of sea salt and massage while your skin is wet. Then wash off. What do you think those expensive body scrubs are?
Think Green!

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Think and Grow Green

March 5, 2009 at 7:02 pm · Filed under tips ·Tagged , , ,

Be Green

Be Green

Have you ever given real thought to this green movement? Companies use the title of being ‘green’ for purely profit reasons. Making their companies greener saves them money and in some cases makes them money. But its the good public relations they’re after. But what is the green movement really trying to achieve? Saving the planet and ultimately saving the human race? Is it really that noble a cause?

We’ve progressed to the point of destroying our planet and now we’re trying to slow that down. How did we allow ourselves to lose sight of the big picture so easily? Now we’re basically trying to learn the things previous generations did. Take organic foods. Thats how our fore-fathers grew crops and raised farm animals. Animals weren’t fed other animals and pumped with hormones. Now we’re trying to recapture that time.

What upsets me is that these terms – green, organic – are now just marketing terms. You have to be careful not to be misled by some companies. But it is great to see more and more new companies that provide organic products and products made from recycled material and products that are biodegradable. As more and more people become aware of their availability, we’ll have less and less use of the harmful products. Which we hope will eventually force other companies to make their products earth friendly.

I look forward to the day when we stop creating new land fills and everything we produce is biodegradable or recyclable. When the food that is sold is less chemical and more natural and we don’t even have to think about organic because it will already be. Utopia? Maybe.

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