Growing Tomatoes . . . soil additives

As an organic gardener, I'm always looking for tips from other gardeners who have successfully used what some would consider off-the-wall methods for maintaining healthy tomato plants.

The following mix has been used by several gardeners

 on the Organic Gardening website forum . . .

Mumsey's Magic Mix 

1 handful bone meal
1 handful cornmeal

1/2 handful powdered milk

1/4 handful epsom salts

Mix well in hole, plant tomato.  

Side dress every few weeks or so
with the cornmeal and powdered milk,
 watered down or not . . . the rain will soak it in.

I've posted these links before, but here they are again ~

If you need information on how to grow your own tomato plants, Fine Gardening has an awesome video series covering various topics.  Click here to go to their tomato page.

And if you haven't checked it out yet, click here to go to my tomato links page.

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Cilantro ~ Grow it in your garden

Coriandrum Sativum . . . also known as Chinese parsley.

The leafy part is called Cilantro, the seed is known as Coriander.

Cilantro loses its flavor when dried or cooked, so it is best used fresh.

Since Cilantro plants grow and go to seed quickly, it is best to plant them continuously (every three weeks is suggested) throughout the growing season (spring and fall) to keep the crop going.  Summer heat will speed up the growing process, quickly seeding the plants when soil temperatures reach 75 degrees.  

The plants love growing in a moist, well-drained soil mulched with compost for nutrients and root protection to keep the soil cooler to prolong growing.  The shade from closely growing plants also keeps the roots cooler.

The plants do not grow well indoors . . . they require mostly full sun, although it is possible to grow in morning sun and afternoon shade.  In general, they are a cool season plant and best grown in the ground since they don't tolerate transplanting well.

To prolong leaf growing, trim off flower heads as soon as they start to flower.  You can allow the flowers to mature and seed . . . they will resow and another crop will be ready in a few weeks.  The seeds can also be collected when they turn brown to use as coriander or to dry out and save for replanting.  Keep your seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for use as a culinary spice in cooking or as seeds for next year's crop.  

The cilantro leaves are ready to harvest about 8 weeks from seed and can be cut any time during the growth period.  Cutting the outer leaves first is recommended so the smaller leaves can continue to grow.  It is best to harvest before it begins to seed, which produces bitter tasting leaves. 

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Mosaic Trash to Treasure

This gorgeous mosaic planter started off as a concrete slab piece with square inserts that someone had ready for the trash.  It goes to show you that one person's trash is another's treasure.  I love the use of mosaic tiles!

Click here for the tutorial on how it went from a ready for the trash concrete slab to gorgeous mosaic planter.

Creative projects for the garden are so cool!

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Container Gardening in the Shade

Awesome containers!

Utilizing containers in different shapes, sizes and colors can add lots of interest to the garden landscape.

I love container gardening in shady areas of the garden, but not all plants can tolerate shade.  Find the plants that love the shade and the results are awesome!

Click here for an excellent article from Fine Gardening that lists shade loving plants and tips for growing container plants in shady areas.  Lots of great tips!

The photo source is Fine Gardening.

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Outdoor Seating Areas

Having a larger sized property makes it possible to have various

seating areas for the versatility of having smaller secluded quiet 

spaces and the larger spaces for entertaining.

The Captain and and I are currently clearing out our large

property that is still way overgrown, making way for new and

exciting areas which are still in the planning stages.

I'll be featuring more garden spaces that inspire me, along

with informative articles that I find as we go through our

inspirational planning stage.

I love this intimate outdoor garden spot . . . a great little place to

escape and enjoy nature.  Love the chairs and the placement of

container plants to create the barrier.  The use of the fence as

a backdrop rather than trying to hide it is a great idea!

Click here for an informative article from Fine Gardening entitled

"Seating Areas Made Simple" for tips on creating awesome spaces

on your property.  The photo comes from this article.

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Coffee grounds in the garden?

Don't throw away your used coffee grounds!! 

Fertilize your acid loving plants with old coffee grounds . . . they will love it! 

Did you know that used coffee grounds repel snails and slugs? Add to your garden soil before seed planting or work in plants already planted. 

Used coffee grounds also repel ants . . . 

Spread used coffee grounds around your flower beds to keep the cats from using your garden as a litter box.  

I never throw away left over coffee in the pot! What I do is add water to fill the pot and water the container plants in my carport jungle. They love it! 

 Of course your compost pile will also love those used coffee grounds . . .

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Want to grow your own tomatoes?

Although we got a late start, we are enjoying tasty tomatoes our tomato plants are putting out.

In the past, we have been able to grow our tomatoes all year long, which is what we are setting out to do.  There is nothing like picking your own tomatoes off the plant for dinner . . . and you can never have too many tomatoes!

If you need information on how to grow your own tomato plants, Fine Gardening has an awesome video series covering various topics.  Click here to go to their tomato page.

And if you haven't checked it out yet, click here to go to my tomato links page.

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Creative Garden Design

Michelle is "consumed by seeing art and design in everyday life."

It is apparent in her awesome landscape designs that is a mix

of gardening and art with awesome and unusual results.

Her blog, Garden Porn, is an art gallery for the gardener who

loves putting an artistic touch in their garden designs.  It is a

delight for the inspirational senses!

The above photo from her blog features an awesome staghorn fern

planting that is mixed with a variety of succulents displayed in a way

that we will definitely be doing for our carport jungle.  I've already

decided to cover the wire container with staghorn ferns since those

succulents don't do well in our humid climate.

Here is what I have done with staghorn ferns . . . they are featured

in a discarded book rack trash to treasure project that is still thriving

in our garden after a decade and survived some very harsh winters.

I started the staghorns as babies in the book rack that

was lined with chicken wire and gardening moss.  It has

grown in a semi-shady area and basically left alone for

at least the past 8 years.  This photo was taken four

years ago.  It is still thriving and growing in the same 

spot . . .  definitely a survivor!

We may scatter some baby staghorns around the sides of

the rack, which should make a spectacular feature in

 the garden.

More recent photos to come as soon as we refresh

the bald spots!

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Trash to Treasure

What an awesome idea for yard sale treasures!

My grandmother used one of these to make her

 tasty mashed potatoes.  It brings back lots of 

great memories :)  

I'd love to make one of these

for the carport jungle!

Click here for a tutorial on how

 to make one of your own.

I've often used many kitchen items in the

 garden.  My favorite is an old broken 

coffee maker that I painted . . .

One of the things I love creating most is giving

life to  an otherwise useless item.  You'd be

surprised what a difference a little paint makes.

Happy crafting and gardening!

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Driftwood Plant Container

Container gardening is one of my favorite methods of gardening.  

One of the things I love most is being creative with containers.  

I love this container featuring driftwood!

Click here for a tutorial of how to make it . . . awesome idea!

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