From Garden to Table

I love my garden, there I said it! My favorite food and herbs are grown in my garden. They are always fresh, and ready to go. My garden starts at the end of March or the beginning of April. Sometimes the snow is still on the ground and the earth is frozen. This is when I start my "Spring Babies" (what I call my seedlings) inside. This may not be the correct way to start a garden or I may not use the most expensive containers, but this is what works for me. My garden is robust and beautiful and always enhances my recipes. Some of my most relaxing times I can remember is spent alone in my garden just after the sunrise. The world is quiet and I can be alone with my thoughts and prayers.

Make sure you start your garden with quality seeds. Burpee is my favorite and I've trusted them with my garden needs for years. Another must-have for my garden is empty water bottles that are cleaned and dried.

Stay with me, this really is an easy way to start your Spring Babies in the most cost-effective way. Why yes, I like to reuse and renew my plastic water bottles. Lay the cleaned water bottle on its side and grab sharp scissors. The goal is to cut the plastic bottle into three sections. I use the rings that are on the bottle as a guide. Three up from the bottom and three down from the top. The center hollow tube-like section is put in the recyclables. If it's windy or drafty where you are, you can use this center tube to shelter your Spring Babies.

Do you see where this is going? You're going to invert the top of the plastic water bottle into the bottom and this will be the container to start your Spring Babies in. I use Burpee Starting Seed Pods as a shortcut. They have the dirt and nutrients to give your seeds a great start. They are easy to use and less messy than using soil. Soak the pods in warm water and watch them grow! Once they are full size, place them into the top of the water bottle and use a straw to make a center well for the seeds.

Cover the top of the water bottle with plastic wrap that is sealed tightly. This will make an individual growing container and will allow the seeds a warm, wet place to germinate. Keep in mind some seeds grow faster (like cucumbers) than others. Herbs normally take 10-14 days to germinate- be patient, it's worth it.

These little incubators are placed on my window sill (away from drafts) to enjoy the sunshine. I'm lucky that Jersey (my dog) has no interest in them and leaves them alone. With that said, I have had to catch a few that have been a victim of his wagging tail. How can I be angry at a happy dog? They are pretty sturdy at this stage. Once the seeds break the soil then they go into the "fragile" category. You will note that I tag the container because at this stage all Spring Babies look the same. Last year my label fell off and I had a hybrid of the funkiest looking pepper.

After the plant has grown to the point of pushing on the top of the plastic wrap, it's time to transplant into a temporary growing pot. I like to reuse small plastic take-out containers with holes cut in the bottom for drainage. The lids are placed under the containers to catch seepage.

Transplanting day is fun because I know that I've successfully grown a small plant from seeds. Somehow this gives me great satisfaction knowing that I can live off the land. I would have made an amazing Pilgrim!

Fill the small plastic container with potting soil and gently lift the top of the plastic water bottle out of the bottom. You'll notice that the roots are strong and are peeking out of the water bottle.

Pictured above are bush cucumbers (they grow like a bush instead of a vine) that took 8 days to germinate. Gently take them out of the container and allow them to sit on the potting soil before you plant it. I like to call this "acclimating to its new home" and at this stage start talking to your plant. No, they won't understand you (or so I think they don't) but they enjoy the carbon that you're exhaling.

The Spring Babies will continue to grow inside their new home for another few weeks. During the warm days, I'll bring the containers outside but they come back inside to avoid the cool nights. NOTHING IS PLANTED IN MY GARDEN UNTIL AFTER THE FIRST FULL MOON IN MAY. (This is a Native American old wise tale that has worked great for me) Truth be told, the first full moon in May is normally after the third full week and there is less of a chance of frost at night. I like to think that I'm one with my Native American friends.

So now you know my secrets on how to grow a healthy and happy garden. Over the years I've come to use the above method. In the beginning, I bought the containers that had the lids that are sold commercially. They were expensive and only lasted one season. I get the same results with empty water bottles and plastic wrap.

Mother Nature has nothing on me when it comes to gardening!

Enjoy!