Discount Gardening

[janastanley]

Hmm, this is a loaded question for me because I recycle everything. Old egg cartons become seed starters, old screen doors become a green house, old window screens become drying racks on two inverted trash cans, clippings of newspapers, and other stuff I shred goes into the compost bin, two litter bottles become plant warmers, and my potting bench is wired old milk crates with a couple of plastic bread racks.

I recycled my stone wall into a patio...the stone facings were already embeded into concrete, broken cinderblocks and bricks become cut worm protection for plants, Old seine nets become netting for cucumbers and beans. An outgrown and broken playpen became a paper compost bin...the paper doesn't blow out. An old pulp mill filter (heavy duty stainless steel) became a burning bin for making biocoal for summer cook outs. The 40 gallon water tank with a busted bladder from my well was converted into a small water feature with a fountain and goldfish for added fertilizer boosters for my garden. An old inflatable pool became the bedliner for my koi pond.

Ah heck I can go on and on.

Love the ideas! I recycle everything too! It drives my husband crazy! We had the cutest bean supports made from crooked tree branches. I re-use everything I can in my garden.

[janastanley]

Does anyone grow and save heirloom/open poolinated seeds? I have growing heirlooms for about 4 years. This will be the first year I only have to buy a few packets of seeds. I was able to save enough seeds for this spring and have left overs. I grow about 45 different veggies and herbs. So I am excited that I don't have to buy much.

[Jomurphey]

Jana,

Initially I used heirloom seeds about fifteen years ago. I don't like the bio-engineered stuff. Now, I just hold some back for seed for the next year. In my herb garden I section off the herbs and let the seeds fall to resow for non-perennials like basil. I'll find the new plants spouting in the spring when I put the mulch into the compost bin.

[janastanley]

Jana,

Initially I used heirloom seeds about fifteen years ago. I don't like the bio-engineered stuff. Now, I just hold some back for seed for the next year. In my herb garden I section off the herbs and let the seeds fall to resow for non-perennials like basil. I'll find the new plants spouting in the spring when I put the mulch into the compost bin.

Glad to see someone else growing heirlooms too. I didn't like the GMO's either, which is what prompted us to switch to heirlooms. We let most of our herbs re-seed. The herb garden has expanded to 2 large beds and is getting over crowded. This year I saved as much seed as I could so I can move them to another garden bed. I let the sage, thyme, rosemary, and chives totally take over one bed. They crowded out everything else.

[Jomurphey]

Jana,
That's the beautiful thing about planting herbs...they overgrow everything and keep out the weeds.