Accessible Gardens

Last Minute Christmas Gifts for gardeners of all abilities

Posted on December 15, 2019 by Outreach Contributor

We have added three new products to our popular Christmas Gift List from last year. These products were suggested by several subscribers and we hope you will find them useful for the special people on your Christmas list or as great stocking stuffers.

Need help shopping? List Below……

Need help shopping? List Below…..

Need help shopping? List Below……

Shopping for:
O’Keeffes Hand Cream

Target: https://www.target.com/p/o-keeffe-s-working-hands-hand-cream-2-7-oz/-/A-21410885

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/OKeeffes-Working-Hands-Cream-ounce/dp/B00121UVU0

Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/O-Keeffe-s-Working-Hands-Hand-Cream-5-4-oz-Jar/45800592

Shopping for:
Lazy Susan Turn Tables

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lazy-Susans-Pantry-Cabinet-Drawer-Organization/s?rh=n%3A3744181%2Cp_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A4277231011

Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Turntable-Lazy-Susan/16664722

Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com/kitchen-tabletop/sb0/lazy-susans-c419149.html

Lock Laces

https://www.locklaces.com/pages/llstore

Christmas List 2018 Click to go to list

www.accessiblegardens.org does not collect fees from any of the above vendors or manufactures of these products.

Posted in Accessible, Assistive Tools, Enabled Gardens | Tagged Christmas List for Gardeners of all Abilities | Leave a comment

Succulents – Living Sculpture

Posted on October 21, 2019 by Outreach Contributor

Succulents are easy to grow plants that require little maintenance. Lean (low in nutrients) well draining soil, bright light and minimal water are their basic requirements. There are hundreds of varieties ranging in size, color, texture and shape to meet any requirement. Succulents are available wherever plants are sold including; nurseries, grocery stores, drug stores, on-line and from generous gardeners.

Soil Requirements

Succulents need lean, well-drained mineral soil, porous enough to allow water to run nearly straight through it.

Good Recipe for DYI (do it yourself) potting soil for succulents
3 parts potting soil (non-organic)
2 parts coarse sand (turface or poultry grit)
1 part perlite (or pumice)

Growing Information

Where to buy on-line – Suggestions from expert succulent and cacti growers

Intermountain Cactus Kaysville, UT

Specializing in winter-hardy cactus.

Posted in Cactus and Succulents, Container Gardens, DIY Do It Yourself, Easy, Featured Gardens, Free, Gardening, Gardening Tips, Multimedia, Photo-Gallery, Resources - PDF Files - Catalogs, Slide Shows, Videos-Slideshows | Leave a comment

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.

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.

Posted in DIY Do It Yourself, Easy, Easy Peasy Gardening, Special Projects | Tagged Organic and Non-GMO Catalogs, Sprouts - Sprouting | Leave a comment

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

We have added three new products to our popular Christmas Gift List from last year. These products were suggested by several subscribers and we hope you will find them useful for the special people on your Christmas list or as great stocking stuffers.

Shopping for: O’Keeffes Hand Cream

Shopping for: Lazy Susan Turn Tables

Lock Laces

Christmas List 2018 Click to go to list

Soil Requirements

Succulents need lean, well-drained mineral soil, porous enough to allow water to run nearly straight through it.

Good Recipe for DYI (do it yourself) potting soil for succulents 3 parts potting soil (non-organic) 2 parts coarse sand (turface or poultry grit) 1 part perlite (or pumice)

Growing Information

Tons of free videos and helpful information. How to grow, propagate and enjoy your succulents and cacti. Short videos, excellent tutorials and all are indexed for easy access. A wonderful place to get lost on dark and cold days – or nights. Use like a Free On-line Text Book.

Where to buy on-line – Suggestions from expert succulent and cacti growers

Intermountain Cactus Kaysville, UT

Specializing in winter-hardy cactus.

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

Great plants for beginners or experienced 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

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…………………..

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……….

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.”