Growing Groceries

Salutations!

Yes, talking to the red leaf lettuce made it grow faster! Each late morning as I watered, a conversation always took place. The water was not too cold having been gently warmed by the sun, and the little weeds were quickly pulled out. The compost bucket underneath the greenhouse was growing inch by inch into black mulch for the next season...

We built the greenhouse from plans out of a popular homeschooling magazine.
Pea pods twisted up the sides and cilantro ascended all the way up to the thick plastic sheeting covering the roof.

Groceries grew on the porch as well. Sturdy containers of tomatoes, and squash and both red and purple potatoes.

Will you raise plants this year? Container gardening is easy and economical to start. Almost any clean container will work once it has drainage holes drilled into it. Potting mix goes on sale several times throughout the year. Pots are mobile, and that's what I really like. If plants aren't doing so well in one spot, they can just be picked up and moved to a better one.

Our greenhouse is up off the ground sitting on cement bricks. This makes tending to it really effortless. It also keeps the squirrels, rabbits, and other wildlife from destroying my plants.

Growing the ingredients for a fresh, green salad is satisfying. Even natural herbs can be used in breads, sauces, salads, and grill rubs.

If your family plans on traveling, just leave the containers in a kiddie pool, half full of water. They will soak up the water they need.

In this economy it is smart to grow groceries. It's true that we don't have a money tree in the backyard, but come spring, we will have a few containers growing some green.

This is a suitable time to start collecting and cleaning out all sorts of containers. Yard sales make a good place to start looking. Keep an eye out for used gardening tools too.

The early bird gets the worm. I've failed to plan a couple of times and missed the short growing season here. This year won't you join me? I'd love to garden with you and see photos of your homegrown produce. Let's can some tomato soup together.

From the porch,
Alis