Growing Spomething from Nothing

Hello All!!

As you know from my last post, we are anxiously awaiting Mother Nature to get with the program and "make" it Spring here in Edmonton.  Since patience is not one of my strengths, I have gotten an early start on Spring by growing some veggies inside.  these are a bit unique though...they are grown from scraps, not seeds.  Pretty cool, huh??

I first saw the idea to grow new veggies from old veggies a while back on Pinterest.  I even blogged about it here.  Well, things have taken off a bit and I would call this project a success!! 

Here are a few of the things I've grown:

First up, here's an update on the green onions I posted about a while back.  Once they got to be good sized, I planted them in some dirt.  They were getting so tall that I thought the stability would do them some good.  They are growing fantastic!!  As soon as they get too tall and flop over, I give them a haircut and they are good to go.  I take the portion that I cut off and with my kitchen scissors, I cut them into usable pieces.  I then add them to a jar I have in the freezer.  This is a great way to store green onions!!  You simply toss in the pieces, and then when you need some for cooking, you shake a few out!  They thaw instantly in warm food, so they are ready to go anytime! 

Next is my celery.  I simply chopped off a bit of the root end and placed it in a dish of water an inch or so deep.  within days I saw growth popping out of the center.  I left it in water for two weeks or so, changing the water at least every other day.  Once it had some established growth, I planted it in a pot.  Now, it is taking off and getting more and more lush every day!  I can't wait to get it outside for some warmth and sunshine. 

Finally, here is one more veggie that I actually just started today.  It seems as though this method of sprouting will work with most any veggie that has a strong core with roots.  So, I had some past-its-prime Romaine in the fridge and I'm going to see how it does.  I just put it in water this morning, so I'll keep you posted on how it does.

So, what is the lesson to be learned?  You can grow something from nothing.  You don't need expensive seeds or seedlings to have home grown veggies.  It also takes minimal work for maximum results...my kind of gardening!!!

Happy Planting!
Sharon

Spring Fever!!!

Hey Everyone!!
The fever has shown it's ugly head in our house recently.  No, I don't mean the flu (Thank Goodness!!), I mean Spring Fever!!  Though it is still clearly winter, we have been getting lots of sun lately, which has brought with it warmer days, lots of melting, and many many thoughts of spring!!

To help get ready for the upcoming season, I have been a busy bee.  We're in a new house, so I am still learning what plants are already in the ground (the former owner left me a very detailed journal...score!), and what grows best in our location. 

I wanted to share a few recent purchases with you, as well as give some updates on plants I have mentioned in the past.

First up, I scored some beautiful planters at Winners recently.  The tags said they were beverage coolers, but they screamed planters to me!  I am going to use the larger two for veggies out back and the smaller one for bulbs out front.

I've also collected a few seed packets and books about local gardening.  I'm still planning on consulting my trusty Square Foot Gardening book, but I figured I'd add a few more good reads to the mix. 


For seeds, I am trying a new brand this year,  Renee's Garden.  The various seeds I bought are all smaller versions of veggies, perfect for patio growing.  I'm going to miss my old garden in Calgary, but I think these seeds will offer a new and exciting growing method.  I bought my seeds at the Enjoy Centre, but based on their website, it appears as though they sell all over the US and Canada, as well as from their site directly. 

Even Hannah has gotten into the growing spirit.  A week or two ago, we went to the store and picked out some easy to grow seeds.  She picked Cosmos and Marigolds.  They are growing great, and she is learning a wonderful lesson about responsibility.  She sprays them daily and lets me know if they need a bigger drink.  I can't wait until it is warmer outside she she can pick where we plant them.  I saw some cute rubber boot planters the other day at the Enjoy Centre, so maybe those will work...we'll see!! 

Stay tuned for a few more gardening posts...tis the season!!

Happy Planting!
Sharon

Spring Has Sprung in Cowtown!!

Hello All-

I am so sorry for the lack of posts lately.  I have been so busy!!  Between dance classes, music classes, playing outside, Easter, and a slew of other things, I have been right out straight. 

Yesterday Hannah and I spent most of the day outside.  It seems as though Spring may have finally sprung here.  My gardens are all full of new life, and even the grass is greening up nicely. 

I started weeding yesterday and found lots of green "non grass" popping up.  My gooseberry bush apparently survived its first Alberta winter, as you can see.  There is a bunch of new growth coming up in the middle, and all of the branches are budding.  My family has always had gooseberry bushes on their property, and they all swear that you have to grow them alongside a red currant bush.  My Great-Grandmother used to mix the berries for jam and it makes for a nice balance of sweet and tart.  I saw a few currant bushes at Walmart the other day, so maybe my little gooseberry bush will be getting a roommate before too long.

At the end of the season, I transplanted my strawberries from my veggie garden into my flower garden.  I wasn't sure they would survive after a move and then the winter, but I was wrong.  They are growing nicely, and, in my mind, I can already taste the first berry of the season...yum!

The chives have really taken off!!  This is year number three with them, so the plant is quite established by now.  I can't believe how thick the chives are getting though!  They remind me of the ones my Memere and Pepere used to grow that we would use as straws because they were so big!! (Don't mind the grass in the photo too...I was mid-weeding when I took this photo)

My edible crops aren't the only things that are popping up.  I have several bulbs coming up, including this cute little hyacinth.  I cannot wait until they all come up and add lots of color to my flower bed.  The only problem is that I cannot remember exactly what I planted for bulbs, or where, so I'll be as surprised as everyone else once they start blooming!!

Out front things are popping up nicely as well.  I haven't taken any photos yet since I have a lot of weeding and cleaning out to do.  Our home is directly north-south, with the backyard in the south sun, so the front of the house gets sun so much later.  Up until a few days ago there was still a fair amount of snow in the front garden.  Thankfully it has all melted and the ground is softening up, but it is still a bit behind the back.  I did see some tulip bulbs sneaking up, and the day lilies are greening up, so next week I should have some progress photos from out there. 

So far the weather has been quite agreeable.  It has been warm the past few days, and the rain that we are expecting today should help things along.  I just hope that it is more gentle than driving, since I planted some seedlings yesterday and I don't want them floating down the alley!!

More updates to come, including some photos of my indoor plants!!

Cheers!
Sharon