I am writing a series of 101 small changes that we can make to our life quality better and build and lead more happier life that is in attune with our heart and mind. If you have not read previous posts, check it out below.
101 changes: Change 1- Reduce drinking soda
101 changes- Change 2- Getting to email zen
101 changes: Change 3- Slow blogging movement
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Even if you have never planted something your entire life, you can plant something small to start this season. Try it, I know I have been a plant destroyer in past, either I watered too much or watered too little and when my dear plant failed to thrive, I felt so sad. I learned slowly with my mom and Zenguy who are better gardner than I am. If I can overcome it, I know any one can.
Try with Tomatoes, as they are one of the easiest plant to grow. If you can not try it with seedlings, go to OSH, Home depot, or Any plant nursery near you and buy small tomato plant for your home. It will not matter if you live in apartment in 5th floor or have little garden space, as plant can grow on container or small square foot area. Growing in container is easy enough for many of us so let’s look at a few ways to get started on square foot garden.
Here are some simple ways to get started;
1. Pick a location on your balcony or front yard where you are getting lot of sunshine.
2. Make sure that area is safe from rain, your pets and kids.
3. Arrange your square yard in to squares, 4 by 4s and decide what to plant.
4. You can put rail road ties or bricks for border yourself.
5. Use potting soil with compost or make your own.
6. You can choose mix of vegetables and flowers in there. Make sure no one walks inside.
7. Dig a small hole and plant 1-2 seeds in each hole or buy small plants from nursery and replant them in soil.
8. Water slowly by hands, as not to wash out seeds from the soil.
9. Water everyday as needed and wait for few weeks before sprout comes.
10. Harvest during summer, add compost and replant different plants for different season. Repeat.
If you do not think you have enough space still or for unique way of planting, you can check out upside down tomato plants, which seems to grow wonderfully, I have not personally tried it so can not share details, here is a picture of it. If any of you know more about it, I would like to know your tips.
Best thing about this change is, it is green, good for environment and you will get to eat home grown salsa, tomato soup or whatever your crop may bring you. If you are already doing it, let me know what do you like best of planting or gardening, any tips and suggestions?
To see next 101 changes please click here –> 101 changes: change 5: Wake up smiling .
Zengirl
Image sources:
Upside down Tomato plant: www.tomatocasual.com
Square foot garden: catnorman.com
Container Tomato plant: www.growquest.com
101 changes: Change 1- Reduce Drinking Soda
101 changes: Change 2: Getting to email Zen
101 changes: Change 3: Slow down- Slow blogging movement
101 changes: Change 4 – Plant something
101 changes: Change 5 – Smile when you wake up
101 changes: Change 6:: Read a book – Benefits of reading
101 changes: Change 7 – Watch less Television and Be more productive
101 changes: Change 8 – Stretch your comfort zone
101 changes: Change 9: Drink to your health- Benefits of Drinking Tea
101 changes: Change 10: Bring out the artist in You AKA be creative
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I agree that growing things definitely will improve your quality of life. I love my little veggie container garden, and it gives me a real feeling of well-being to work in it. I can’t wait to see what your other life changes will be!
.-= Betsy Bargain´s last blog ..Each One Reach One =-.
I remember the last time I tried to plant something, they all died from too much watering. I basically flooded my plants with too much love (water) and they drowned. However, that happened many years ago. I should try it again!
Your pictures on the post sure look yummy! I love tomatoes!
.-= Evelyn Lim´s last blog ..How To Make Peace With Noise =-.
Betsy,
That is great that you have a veggie container garden. I am finally making changes that are good for me and life around me, one at the time. Thank you for joining my change’s journey!
Evelyn,
Thank you for stopping by and posting a comment here. You surely can grow, I was very bad at watering too, either too much or too little. I am slowly learning, one step at a time. And it feels great to make salad from my own garden and tomatoes are easy enough to grow. Try it and let me know how it goes.! By the way like your blog topic and articles.
This tip hits home hard. Our family is planning on growing our own vegetables next year. Sick and tired of all the non-organic veggies or too expensive if they have it veggies. I will have to look into the upside down tomatoes. That may really be done.
I so appreciate this post & keep up the good work here!
Take care!
Ali
.-= S. Ali Myers – Soulful Body & Mind´s last blog ..10 Ways Juice Fasting Could Benefit You =-.
S. Ali,
Thank you for stopping by and your first comment here.
I think that is the reason we started gardening a year ago to eat more organic and fresh food. Even starting small can be good. I have not tried upside down tomato plant but I know a friend who has and she loves it.
Let me know how it goes for you if you try it.
No doubt! We plan on doing it next year. I really do love the idea!
Later
– Ali
.-= S. Ali Myers – Soulful Body & Mind´s last blog ..10 Ways Juice Fasting Could Benefit You =-.
S. Ali,
Good luck! Thanks for comment again.
Pingback: 101 changes: Change 5 - Smile when you wake up | Heart and Mind
Dear Zengirl, I am a newbie gardener but my dad is an expert of many, many years so it is most a combined experience I share with you here – great article by the way and more so, wonderful photos of tomatoes.
So we decided to try the upside down tomato this year and it was, for lack of a stronger word, a disaster!! We build a stand for it, got the whole assembly from the store, followed instructions to a T, my Dad got a healthy tomato stem to come out from the bottom, I monitored the watering and my balcony gets plenty of sun – and top quality organic soil to boot. And nothing happened. My tomato branch did not grow even an inch! It just grew yellow. In the end, it seemed that we watered too much but only because it’s very hard to know how much to water – since it has to reach all the way to the bottom to reach the plant. My Dad thinks the whole thing is a scam and the WORST part: Cleaning it up and disposing of it from my 2nd floor balcony with no access to a yard. Don’t ask. Suffice it to say I am back to standard downside up tomatoes ;)!
Farnoosh,
I am so sorry to hear that your upside down tomato plant did not thrive. That is one thing I have not tried so can not tell you. But based on your experience with your father who seemed to be expert gardener, I would say I am not going to buy those.
I am learning gardening from my mom and Zenguy, who are better at it. I have often have watered too much or too little to kill a plant. I am so glad to opened up a comment, this is a valuable input. Thank you.
You are very welcome, dear – and remember, this is my experience and my father’s very angry input 😉 LOL! You may have a different experience but really, the regular tomatoes are so much more fun and as nature intended them!! Good luck!!
Farnoosh,
I can only imagine frustration and anger on your father and your side. I actually plant tomatoes on ground and it has worked the best. I have not tried planting on a planters although some of my friends have done it successfully.
Good luck this summer, I hope your experience will be much better.