Throwback Thursday - Our Seedling Growing Experiment

Is it just me that does not use all  their produce in time that it starts to sprout?  This happens frequently with onions and potatoes in our house.  I have good intentions to use it, but for one reason or another  it does not always happen.  Every couple of months or so, I end up with sprouting produce.   A couple of years ago we did a little growing experiment, which was a success.  Last night Kara and I tried it again with a little bit of a spin on it.  With gardening season right around the corner, I knew it would make a great Throwback Thursday post.  

Read More »

Start Your Spring Seedlings

Today is the first day of spring. You can not tell that by our weather outside. Where I live it is only going to be a high of 28, with the overnight lows in the teens.  Brrr.. Not a fun way to start off spring..(a year ago we were way above normal and in the 80's, can I have those temps back!) 

Since it is the first day of Spring, I am going to re-share an idea I posted about last year.  Even though your mind might not yet be on your spring/summer garden, you can start your garden seedlings now, even when the weather is not cooperating.  

Buying seeds and growing your own seedlings can be very inexpensive. It is also a fun experiment to do with your kids. 

Recycled milk jugs make the perfect container to start your seeds. 

Start by cutting the jugs about 2/3 of the way down,  leaving a  part the jug of it connected

Add some potting soil  a few inches thick to the container,  and then add your seeds. 

After you add your seeds, you will want to reattach your jug halves.  You can use things like duct tape, or a hole punch and twist tie like we did in the picture above. 

Use a Sharpie and write on each of the jugs what you planted.  Find a nice, sunny spot to place the jugs. We put ours on our deck that faces the south.  Its okay to keep the jug out there even when it is cold outside. The milk jug works like a terrarium and keeps the plants warm inside. 

Several weeks later, this is how our seedlings looked.  Our peas and beans grew the most.  Our seedling experiment was a big success, and we plan on doing it again this year. 

Add caption

Read More »

Our Growing Experiment

This project has been on the to do list for a couple of weeks. About a month ago, I saw a way to start seedlings in the winter using plastic milk jugs.  While I realize it is no longer winter, I thought this would be a good way to start spring seedlings.  I live in Michigan where it has been 85 degrees in March, and then 30 degrees in April. (I know, crazy right?!)  Even though we are starting late, it should be okay. Most seed packages say to start 6-8 weeks before planting in the ground. We have threat of frost through most of May, so the safest time for planting where we live is around Memorial Day. 

Read More »