Thursday

Growing my own healthy Greens...

 

I love Greens.  You know the greens that are so good for you.  Kale, Collards, Mustard and all the others that people seem to snub their nose at.
My yard has awful soil and although I've changed it in spots, just for veggies, nothing grows without the critters digging them up or the soil killing them.  So I went to a garage sale this past week and there was this LARGE flower pot.  Maybe it will deter the critters from climbing in but it's perfect for my greens.
 




 Did I tell you I only paid $5.00 for this huge pot.
First I bought some good potting soil and amended it with several goodies.   Where to put it?  Well the best spot was in full sun and somewhere I could keep an eye on it.  Right out back in my flower garden.  As you can see there are no flowers this time of year.  I might be in Florida but the weather is so wrong right now.
First I layered the bottom of the pot with styrofoam I had saved then added some bricks left over from my front porch.  This gave it some weight.  Can't have the critters tipping it over.

 

 Added some wood chips then several bags of good organic soil.

 All together I planted  27 baby green plants and it still has room to spare.  Last night I poked in a few garlic bulbs that were sprouting on my kitchen window sill.  Garlic might chase the critters?


 Since the back yard is so dark in the night I added a solar light just for fun.. looks good from my upstairs balcony.
It's so nice to run outside and pinch a few green leaves to add to salads or soups and I make loads of both.  If the kale grows as hoped I can make chips for a snack.  
From everything I've been reading buying greens from other countries is getting to be not safe.  They have so many different fertilizers added and the chemicals are damaging our systems and buying local organic is not always easy.  Have you ever read the tag on veggies in the grocers?  Peru, Chili, and who knows where else so I have been growing my own this past few years.  Using this big pot saves me both space and getting angry with my critters.


 Our weather has been going up and down in temperature for the past few months and right now it's on the cool side, in the 40's last night, perfect for greens.  But here, tomorrow might go up to the 90's,  I never know?  I'll be sure to post a photo next month when the plants get a big spurt of growth.

I'm linking up to

(((hugs)))

12 comments:

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

I should be getting all excited about getting outside to plant some greens...(well, not greens) but other home grown delicious food!
But...like you, we're having very unpredictable weather.
Warm one day,cold and rainy the next!

I HAVE learned to love container gardening, though.

-Pat

Sherry at The Rusty Pearl said...

Sandy .. LOVE this idea.. And $5 dollars for that big pot.. WOWZER that is a deal.. YOU know The Rusty Pearl loves a good deal... I love this idea.. Think I will give it a whirl................... Hugs and thanks always for inspiring me .. and costing me money to try these things LOL just kidding. LOVE IT

Tootsie said...

Oh I am so happy you linked in today and shared with my little party! I love seeing the tips, tricks and inspiring photos everyone has to share! I am getting ready for spring to pop and seeing everyone's shares always inspires me! I hope you will link in again very soon and flaunt with me and the others again!
I am sharing this post with the Tootsie Time Facebook page... if you haven't already "liked" it...please do so if you wish!
hugs from Alberta Canada!

Until Next Time... Happy Gardening!


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Beth said...

Your yard looks pretty! I am SO ready for spring now. Good idea to use your pot for growing greens.

Pondside said...

Good idea! I love to grow things in pots - especially flowers which I can move around for colour where I want it.

Redfly Classroom said...

Thanks for sharing this idea. I think I am going to have to do something like this too.

Melissa
redflycreations(dot)com

Lulu said...

I'm finding that growing in pots is much more successful than planting in the ground. What that means is my collection of pots is growing!

Unknown said...

Our weather is all up and down here, too, in SW Tennessee. We had almost 70 degrees -- and now they are saying chance of snow this week! And then in the 20's next weekend.

Despite below freezing temps, I've been growing greens through the winter in pots, that I cover with some garden quilt when the temps dip! I haven't had to buy lettuce or greens all winter, and in a few weeks I should be able to plant for spring.

Thanks for sharing!

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

Oh my gosh...it's so nice to see something green! Very cold here but glad to know someone is enjoying nice weather. :o)

Peg said...

Good luck with your greens! I had a groundhog come up to my window and eat lettuce out of a window box. He was stuffing it in his mouth with both hands/paws when I took his picture.

Google Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana soup recipe. It has kale, sausage and potatoes. I use lower fat turkey sausage and it is great on a cold winter day.

Indrani said...

How inspiring!
I like the potting details.

sabri said...

Your newest follower...i get critters in my garden alot and they still climb up in the pots...if it's a rabbit you have try feeding them some fresh mango...worked well for me and keeps them out of my other stuff..i can't wait to get in the garden...it's still iffy here witht the weather...i am just preparing my garden decor at this point ...happy gardening to you... sabri~