Cacti and Succulents – Easy Peasy Gardening

Posted on August 11, 2019 by Shirley Sidell

Cacti and succulents are the perfect plants for easy to grow indoor or outdoor gardens.

Cacti and Succulents - Perfect for Easy Peasy Gardens

Perfect for Easy Peasy Gardens

Great plants for beginners or experienced gardeners.

Thousands of varieties, most with exotic blooms  (click to view slide show)
Minimal requirements; sunlight, good drainage and occasional water
Sizes vary from tiny (less than one inch) to huge (greater than 30 feet)
(click to view slide show)  
Fits any situation – from terrariums, small pots to gardens
Very long lived and many free from generous gardeners

What is the difference between cacti and succulent?

Cacti have stickers, succulents are more ‘user friendly’.
A cactus is the only plant that can sit in a blazing south window where the sun pours in, magnified through the glass.
A succulent is any plant that stores water in juicy leaves, stems or roots in order to withstand periodic drought.

Resources for buying, growing and caring for cacti and succulents. This is a random list – google for more mail-order links

Succulent Plant Care:   https://succulentplantcare.com/about-me/

Make your own cactus terrarium and more:  https://www.plantandwinedown.com/single-post/2017/10/03/CACTUS-CRUSH-5-REASONS-TO-LOVE-CACTUS-MAKE-YOUR-OWN-CACTUS-TERRARIUM

Great website for catalogs and more information: https://simplysucculents.com/online-catalog/

Posted in Accessible-Gardens, Cactus and Succulents, Container Gardens, Easy Peasy Gardening, Featured Gardens, How - To | Leave a comment

Easy Peasy – Sprouts (everything old is new again)

Posted on March 7, 2019 by Shirley Sidell

Please Note: It is with a heavy heart that we share our loss of Ron Sidell, the driving force behind Ophoenix Public Benefit Corp and www.accessiblegardens.org. In his loving memory we will continue to produce this site.    Read more…………………..

Different types of sprouts

Let’s grow sprouts – easy, quick, economical and tasty! *

What are sprouts?
– Sprouts are seeds that have germinated and become very young plants.

How to grow them……
– Sprouts are easily grown in containers with water rinses. No soil needed.
– Sprout Basics – Short Version  Read more………
– Sprouts 101  – Everything you need to grow Sprouts   Read more……….

How to get started……
– Start Small – there are many options for seeds.
– We suggest choosing one pack of seeds or a starter kit.
– Kits make it easy to sample several types. Link to 12 kits 8 sampler packs
– Containers – plastic or glass most used. Mason jars will work and are economical. .You will need a top that will allow drainage.

Where to buy supplies?
Sources for Organic Non-GMO seeds on line
1. Sproutpeople     www.sproutpeople.org – our partners for this post
2. Mumm’s Sprouting Seeds     www.sprouting.com
3. The Sprout House       https://sprouthouse.com/

Are they nutritious?
“Despite being low in calories, sprouts are a rich source of nutrients and beneficial plant compounds. Their vitamin and mineral content varies based on the variety”

Are they safe?
“When it comes to sprouts, organic is even a bigger deal. Sprouts have been blamed for several food-borne illness “outbreaks” (see our food safety page) over the past decade, and it has been true in EVERY case, that the seed used was NOT organic.”

Organic seeds are a must! Read More……..  Organic seeds are a must!

*Our Partner* For this post we are partnering with Gil Frishman, www.sproutpeople.org. Sproutpeople has been selling organic sprouts and seeds since 1993. They are a family owned business and we are proud to be associated with their company. We do not receive a commission nor any monies from sales of your purchases. All text in quotes (“”) is from their website, as well as sprout photographs – all with their permission.

sprout banner 2

 

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Why you should buy organic seeds from local small or family owned growers.

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Shirley Sidell

Why buy your seed locally? Locally grown seeds are better because:

– The seeds are adapted to regional areas for success
– The seeds attract and feed local pollinators and birds
– The seeds have genetic properties to fight local disease

Why buy from small and family growers? Small and family growers are pledged to strengthen biodiversity.

– 80% of all seeds are grown by 4 mega seed companies
– Small and family growers personally grow and sell certified organic seeds
– Small and family growers insure the survival of Biodiversity of seed sources

Find organic seed companies – small and family owned – read their websites and learn about their histories and mission to provide the gardening communities with organically grown new and heirloom plant varieties – not grown by large corporate companies. Many websites have growing information and offer free downloads of books and recipes. You will meet the people behind the seeds that you plant in your garden.

There are more than 3,000 varieties of heirloom or heritage tomatoes in active cultivation worldwide and more than 15,000 known varieties. More than 42 types of pumpkins are available as well as more than 14 varieties of cucumbers from just one company.

Find the Seed List that best suits your locality, garden and family favorites. Plant something new and it might become a family favorite in the future.

All lists are free and PDF downloads are Free.2019 List – Organic seed companies in USA
2019 List – Organic seed companies in Pacific Northwest and British Columbia (PNW)
2019 List – Organic seed companies in California

Posted in 2019 eCatalogs - Seed Companies, 2019 Seed Companies, Free, PNW | Leave a comment

Easy Peasy Gardening – Lemongrass – Buying and Rooting Stalks

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Shirley Sidell

Easy Peasy Gardening – Growing Lemongrass

Fail Proof Directions

About Lemongrass 
            Lemongrass is a very easy to grow herb used in Asian recipes, teas, medicals and skin care products. It is native to Asia, Africa, Australia, and tropical islands, but can be grown anywhere where it can get at least 6 hours of daytime summer sun.

Lemongrass is an attractive plant in the ground or container.

Lemongrass is an attractive plant in the ground or container.

Lemongrass can be found in most large supermarkets, Asian Markets or vegetable stands either loose or wrapped in bunches of 4 – 5 stalks. 4 – 6 stalks is a good number to start.

Lemongrass can be found in most large supermarkets, Asian Markets or vegetable stands.

Lemongrass can be found in most large supermarkets, Asian Markets or vegetable stands.

Some markets will package up several stalks. 4-6 stalks will be a good number to start the project.

Some markets will package up several stalks. 4-6 stalks will be a good number to start.

What to look for:  If possible buy stalks that have sections of root base at the end of the stalk. If the leaves come all the way to the bottom of the stalk, you will have to pull some of the leaves off the stalk.

Two leaves have been peeled off of the stalk.

Two leaves have been peeled off of the stalk. Unroll the leaves to expose the base.

Place the stalks in a glass, jar or vase and place in a sunny
window or bright spot outside.

Stalks can be placed in glass vase on sunny warm deck. In cold weather, a bright window will work as well.

The above photo shows stalks placed in glass vase on sunny warm deck. In cold weather, a bright window will work as well. Place the stalks in a glass, jar or vase and place in a sunny window or bright spot outside. 

In just a few days, roots will start to emerge in the spaces left from the removal of the leaves.
Roots emerging from spaces at end of stalk.

In a few more days and one or two new plants might also form in these spaces. The new plants are usually green and will face up.

Read More in part two ….

Go to: How to plant rooted stalks……..

Download FREE   Complete Directions for Growing Lemongrass

Posted in Accessible-Gardens, Container Gardens, DIY Do It Yourself, Easy, Enabled Gardens, Free, Gardening, Gardening Tips, Herb Gardens, Special Projects | Leave a comment

Easy Peasy Gardening – Growing Lemongrass – Planting in Soil

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Shirley Sidell

Easy Peasy Gardening – Growing Lemongrass
Part Two, How to Plant Rooted Stalks.

  • When the stalks have rooted in water, it is time to move them up to individual pots with soil.

  • Any container can be used for planting rooted stalks into soil. Containers must have drainage holes in the bottom of the container.

  • New or reused plastic pots can be used. Yogurt, food containers, bottoms of plastic soda bottles as well as milk cartons also work, don’t forget the drainage holes.

  • Bagged potting soil can be purchased for the new plants, any good quality is fine. Clean, pest free garden soil can also be used.

container half filled with moist soil.

Fill container half way with moistened potting soil, pat down gently to settle soil.

photo showing tiny new plant emerging from end of stalk

Tall new plant ready to move to soil.

This stalk has many new roots and a new plant growing out of the root base. Special care must be taken to plant in soil without damaging new plant.

Wearing gloves while potting plants is always a good idea.

Gloves should be worn while handling all new plants. Gently hold new plant to the side while carefully adding moistened soil.

Photo: How to firmly but gently tap the soil to settle and water- in the new lemongrass plant.

Firmly but gently tap the soil to settle and water- in the new lemongrass plant.

Photo: Several potted-up plants in sun.

Newly potted-up (planted) lemongrass. These will be taken indoors for winter, and placed outside in a sunny location when all chance of frost in over. Some will be placed in large containers, some in the garden and others for friends or sent to a local food bank.

Go back to: How to buy and root lemongrass ……...

Download Free PDF  Complete Directions for Growing Lemongrass

Posted in Accessible-Gardens, Container Gardens, DIY Do It Yourself, Easy, Enabled Gardens, Free, Gardening Tips, Herb Gardens, Special Projects | Leave a comment