first plantings
Well! I’ve finally started on my garden!
That’s right, no more dreams and promises, this thing is becoming a reality!
I’ve got a packet of beautiful mixed heirloom tomatoes started on my south-facing windowsill - although I’m worried that it might be a little late for them, so I’ll probably have to supplement my garden with a store-bought plant or two. There are also about a dozen other little paper envelopes sitting on the shelf patiently awaiting May 9th (that’s the frost date around here, if you don’t know).
I also got started on my little bathroom window box (as seen above). It faces the deck, so it’s easy to get to.
I saved up tomato cans all winter (I use them a lot, so it wasn’t too hard) and then I nailed holes in the bottom (this is very important - plants need drainage) and spray-painted them that pretty colour. Then I put herbs in three (golden oregano, golden sage, and lemon thyme) and miniature black pansies in the two remaining cans.
Altogether it cost me around 10 bucks, and it worked out so well, I dumpster dived some oversized spaghetti sauce cans from a nearby market, and I’m going to turn them into planters too! You have to love a project that’s quick, easy, cheap (free!) and recycles.
April 21st, 2008 at 11:30 am
I am 100% going to do that. Kudos.
Can you give me any tips on how to deal with squirrels and raccoons? I’ve only planted green onions so far, and only 2 of my 8 plants sprouted because the squirrels have been digging and the raccoons have been knocking things over.
April 21st, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Eugh. The raccoon thing is actually something I’ve got to deal with too. We have a raccoon (although it also might be a cat) who keeps pooing right outside our door. Every-time we clean it up, back he comes. The only thing we seem to be able to find that might work in our situation is a coyote urine based repellant. We will track some down and try it out.
As to the squirrels (although the repellant will probably work for them too) I think covering up your little plantings with something to protect them would probably work best. You could try burlap or chicken wire until they get started, or I read in You Grow Girl (which you should totes invest in BTW - girl’s from Parkdale, too, so she’s even local) that you can make a simple “cloche” or “bell-jar” out of a old pop bottle to protect tender plants, and create kind of a mini greenhouse.
I’m just starting out too though, so don’t put too much stock in me!
April 21st, 2008 at 10:13 pm
best memory of late: Beth dumpster diving!
hahaha i wish a had a camera… it was pretty silly… altho i guess to be fair there was no actual ‘dumpster’ invloved so much as those big recycling bin thingys. still. entertaining as heck.
April 24th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
those black pansies are beautiful! Gotta love those tin cans, too. I’ve got about 8 tomato plants growing right now, I started them a bit late, too, and some rosemary (which is apparently really hard to grow from seed, I found out AFTER I had planted it). Anyway, I’m hoping for the best with the tomatoes. All the best on your garden!!!