Gradual leaps and bounds in the garden

Enlisting help can speed up gardening progress.

I'm all about doing things gradually. I know that most awesome gardens started out humbly. But is it possible to gain leaps and bounds in the gradual garden? Yes it is because I'm doing it. This year, our garden has gone through a drastic clean up, the likes of which I thought would take several more years to accomplish. It's not quite where I want it. It's still a work in progress. However, the progression is accelerated. Here's why.

I have found awesome tools.

Using the right gardening tools has grown my gradual garden to new heights. Each year I discover something else that will enhance my work. This year, the battle of the weeds was made significantly easier with the addition of a propane torch to my tool arsenal. Next year, who knows what new implement I will discover?

I have enlisted help.

I used to be afraid to ask for help. No more. Instead of standing around wondering why no one is helping me, I speak up. Sometimes they say no. Mostly they say yes, though. It takes a village to raise a garden. And my villagers have been busy this year, for which I am eternally grateful.

I have worked my tail off.

Gradual bursts of energy can really make a difference. Even though I have a chronic illness, I have learned to use well days to their fullest. I'm the energized bunny, the little train that could or whoever your preferred fictional go-getter might be. Because what it boils down to is that if no one gets out there and seeds, weeds and maintains that garden, nothing is going to happen. Standing around looking at the garden does nothing for it.

I have hope for the future but I live for today.

Rather than sitting around belly-aching about what I can't do or discussing past failures, I do what I can do each and every day to get closer to my gardening goals. Some days, that's not much. However, those small daily efforts combined equal large results. So, even if I don't have an awesome day every day, I keep my hope alive because I know I will get there.

I don't expect miracles.

I know that on our budget, gradual garden improvements are a must, not a choice. Still, it's getting there. Plus, thanks to the factors above, it's getting there more quickly than expected. So, yes, there is such a thing as gradual leaps and bounds in the garden. You just have to want it bad enough to work for it.

I'm taking gradually gardening to the max lately

My garden bucket list is growing.

In fact, I'm not gardening at all, unless you count watering my houseplants. I've left the rest of the garden clean-up for spring. Oh, I guess I do add to the compost and Hugelkultur piles every day. So, there's that. Plus, I have to turn the piles once in while and keep them wet. Still, not much is going on in the garden to speak of.

All that will change soon, though. Why? Because even though spring is several months away, there will be planning and plotting, seed ordering and seed starting. There will be soil buying, supply assessment and somehow, we have to find a tiller before spring because the one we usually borrow is in need of repair.

So, maybe I have a small reprieve, but rest assured, it won't be long until my thoughts turn to gardening again. In fact, after writing this, well, shoot. Break over. I just realized, there's a lot to be done that I could get to right now. Sigh.... Now, where did I leave that bucket of potting soil?

Keeping the garden simple despite my lofty dreams

Browsing seed catalogs makes me hungry for a huge garden!

Yesterday, we spent some time out on the plains with Grandma and Grandpa. Grandpa loves gardening just as much as I do, probably more. While we were there, the seed catalogs were pulled out, which set my mind to spinning. Oh my gosh, the variety in those catalogs make you want to quit your job and grow the awesomest garden that ever existed.

On the way home, I told Gary that we should just plow up the whole back yard next year and plant, plant, plant. Oh, the fabulous veggies we could grow and sell and give away and taste and nourish ourselves with! We could have berry bushes, grape vines, herbs of all kinds and gorgeous flowers everywhere. We could have pots and raised beds and regular beds and fountains and....

Whoa there. Let's not get carried away. I have Lupus and Rheumatoid, which isn't exactly conducive to gardening on a large scale. I have to remind myself from time to time that more garden means more maintenance. The planting isn't bad. I can handle it. It's getting out there every day in the sun with Lupus that's the problem. Sure, I can utilize shade and sunscreen. Still, a garden like the one I dream of requires at least an 8 hour day of hard labor.

It's just not happening right now. So, maybe I'll just grow a few awesome things each year. Or maybe, I'll grow more variety, but less quantity. Or maybe, I'll buy some awesome lights and garden at night. LOL Only time will tell. One thing is for sure, though. After looking over all the seed catalogs, I will try to grow as much as is humanly possible without killing myself in the process. I just can't help it, you guys. Wish me luck!

Crazy harvests every day!

Today's harvest (copyright 2014 Jaipi Sixbear)

This year, the gradual garden is producing way more produce than expected. I guess it doesn't know that it's just a starter garden and not a fantasy garden. Not sure if it's all the rain we're getting or if I'm just plain awesome. Ya, that's it. I'm awesome. I'm pretty sure of it.

Anyway, every day, I go out and harvest dinner or lunch or whatever for Gary and I. It's just the two of us right now, with the grand-kids on vacation, so there’s no need to pick it all until we're ready to eat it. Today, I found that our cucumber plants are going nuts so I picked a few more of them than we need today.

I also found more of these gigantic beets. We've already eaten a ton of them. We love them raw in salads. We're not too crazy about cooked beets. They just seem so bland and mushy. We like the raw, crunchy stuff around here. It's better for us anyway. No point in cooking all the nutrition out of our hard work, now, is there?

In fact, everything in the garden is doing well except the corn. Sigh... The earwigs have become a real nuisance. We have gotten rid of them now, but the damage they left is sad. We have some awesome corn that is nearly ripe, but not as much of it as we would like. A moment of silence for the corn, please.

I thought you might like to see that what can even come out of a not yet fantastic, dream garden wannabe is pretty cool too. Yup, that's our harvest up in the picture. So, if you're building your garden up, one gardening season at a time, like us, don't despair. It may not be huge yet, but it can still produce some pretty yummy stuff.

DIY window box planters

Flower boxes provide quick color. (public domain photo)

While you're working on your gradually awesome fantasy garden, why not put together some container gardens to brighten things up? Making an unconventional but useful window box planter is a simple project. A window box planter should be unique to each household. I love the challenge of making them from unusual items. Here's two easy, inexpensive window box planters you can make.

Dollar store window planter

The first project is made from inexpensive plastic dollar store containers. It's not exactly a planter box, but functions as one. This planter can be used indoors or outdoors on the windowsill.

Collect several shapes, sizes and colors of plastic bucket type containers from the dollar store. Arrange them in a pleasing row pattern. You'll need a 2x4 lumber scrap approximately the same length as that row, a heavy duty electric drill and 2 ¼ inch screws (one for each bucket).
Sand the 2x4 smooth with a piece of medium grit sandpaper. Remove any excess dust with tacky cloth or a vacuum. Paint the 2x4 for the base with spray paint. Be sure to use outdoor paint.

The paint on the base should dry 24 hours prior to the next step.

Line the buckets up in a row pattern upside down. Place the planter base on top. Align it properly.
Use the electric drill and a Phillips head screw bit to finish the planter. Position each screw so that it's centered on the wood base and will go through the center of each bucket to hold it fast to the base. Turn the finished planter right side up.

Clay pot planter

The second box is made in a similar fashion as the first. This will be a miniature planter box resembling three prettily painted clay pots in a row. As before, line the pots up in a row and use a piece of scrap 2x4 approximately the same length.

The base will have to be sanded and painted. Paint the little pots as well. Both will need to dry overnight. In the morning paint a pretty design on the little flower pots and let it dry.

You'll notice a small hole in the bottom of each pot. Place the little flower pots on the base. Mark the spot where the bottom hole of each pot will sit with a felt tip marker. Remove the little pots from the base.

Drill a screw, very straight into the planter base at the marked spots. Don't let the screw go through all the way. It should protrude slightly on the other side so that each pot can be positioned. A small piece of scrap wood that fits at the bottom of each pot will be needed to finish the project.

Each individual pot will be attached separately to the planter base. Holding the wood base sideways, position an individual pot over the screw at one end so that the screw is centered in the hole. The small piece of scrap wood is then place inside the pot.

While holding the pot and the small scrap wood in place, slowly finish putting the screw through all three pieces to hold the planter together. Take care that fingers are out of harms way when doing this step.

Continue with this step until all the pots have been attached to the base. Turn the finished window box planter right side up. Both planters will need rocks or gravel at the bottom for drainage prior to adding soil and plants.

This article was previously published by this author on a closed Yahoo! property.

Is your gradual garden stuck in the comfort zone?

Getting too comfortable in the garden? (public domain)

It's easy to get stuck in the gardening comfort zone when gradually working on your dream garden. Don't be afraid to move forward! For instance, your garden is zoned depending on your region. Based on that zone, you choose the herbs, vegetables, flowers, etc. that will do best. If you've been gardening for some time, you might slip into another zone altogether. It's called the comfort zone. This zone occurs when you plant the same things every year because they go well with your particular shade of green thumb. Are you stuck in a garden comfort zone? Here's some ways to make gardening an adventure again.

Find a new seed supplier.

Do you order from the same seed companies, year after year? If so, you're only seeing a small percentage of what's available. Go ahead and keep ordering your favorites if you wish. Just spice it up by finding a new supplier to supplement old favorites. Better yet, make an effort to stop seed monopoly by patronizing non-GMO seed sellers.

What's my new favorite?

Seeds Now carries non-GMO seeds. Not only that, delivery is super fast. Their prices are comparable to local stores.

Let someone else make some plant choices.

Unless you're a hermit, chances are, that vegetable garden you plant feeds more than just you. How about asking friends and family members what they'd like to see growing in it? I bet you didn't know Uncle Tom has a thing for zucchini bread or that Aunt Jane adores butternut squash. Why not make it your job to grow everyone their favorites this year? Better yet, invite them to join you in the garden. That way, you can all learn something new.

Don't forget:
Planting new florals keeps your curb appeal out of the comfort zone too.

Explore heirlooms.

Why grow those same old boring red tomatoes? Have you any idea how many varieties of heirloom tomatoes there are? I'm betting there are more than you could grow in your lifetime. Since these seeds are passed down through the generations, there's little need to worry about them being genetically modified. Wouldn't you love to be known as the crazy tomato lady?

Grow something ridiculous.

Heirlooms aren't the only crazy things you can grow. How about planting some walking onions? These babies walk across the garden and re-plant themselves. Maybe cucuzzi squash is more appealing to you. These squash resemble coiling snakes when full grown. They can be eaten or dried for use in craft projects.

Be a zone jumping rebel.

Just because the seed packet says it doesn't grow in zone 4, doesn't mean it won't. Why limit yourself? With a little tweaking and some TLC, you can grow whatever you want. Sure, you might have to build a greenhouse around that lemon tree. Think of yourself as a scientist. Experiment until you get it right. What if it doesn't work out? Who cares? Gardening is all about experimentation. Break out of your comfort zone and enjoy it.

This post was previously published by this author on a closed Yahoo! property

Why rain water is better for the garden

Raindrops (public domain photo)

Did you ever notice rapid growth in your garden just after a rainstorm? It's never that abundant when you water with the hose, is it? Why do you think that is? Natural is always better. Still, when it comes to the benefits of rainwater in the garden, there is a bit more to it than that. So, just why is rainwater so much better for the garden than tap-water?

I've been debating this for quite some time and decided to do a little research. It occurred to me that rainwater is the natural source of water for plants. I had also heard theories of hydrogen peroxide content in rainwater. I wanted to know if those theories were correct. I'm a bit of a hater when it comes to chlorine in our water supply. I couldn't help but think that might have something to do with the reason my plants seem to have a love/hate relationship with tap water. Here's what my research revealed about the real reasons rainwater makes gardens thrive.

No chlorine

The chemicals in tap water may be detrimental to garden growth. Chlorine is the most prominent one. Plants do need chlorine,but they only need a miniscule amount. Excess chlorine has negative effects on plant life. It can stunt root development. It can also destroy beneficial bacteria and fungi. No wonder natural rainwater is a better alternative for plants.

Natural flow

Hoses, drip systems, sprayers and hand watering techniques do their best to duplicate natural water flow. Still, as hard as they try, they can't beat nature. Mother nature knows the exact water flow plants thrive with. Certainly, she also creates storms destructive to plant life. However, for the most part, plants are accustomed to the way natural rain falls.

Hydrogen peroxide

Did you know there is hydrogen peroxide in rainwater? Rainwater receives an extra atom of oxygen from the ozone. This turns some of it into H2O2, rather than H2O. The extra oxygen in hydrogen peroxide helps plants grow faster, better and stronger.

Did you know?

Due to pollutants in the air, the hydrogen peroxide content is diminished in some areas. So, many farmers use supplemental diluted hydrogen peroxide on their crops.

Try it out:

If you have a plant that seems to be drooping, fill a spray bottle with water and a couple tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. Lightly spritz the ground around the plant. If the plant is lacking oxygen, it will perk right up. This works very well in areas where soil is primarily clay. It brings needed oxygen to the roots for better growth.

This post was previously published by this author on Yahoo!