This eco-friendly and creative gardening solution not only adds a touch of rustic charm to your space but also makes growing edible plants easier than ever. In this blog post, we will explore why mason jars make excellent self-watering planters for your favorite herbs, vegetables, and other favorite plants!
1. Repurposing with Style
One of the reasons mason jars are so popular as self-watering planters is their versatility and aesthetic appeal. Jars come in various sizes, shapes, and colors, allowing you to choose the perfect one to match your style or home decor. Their timeless design adds a rustic and charming element to your indoor or outdoor space, making your edible garden a decorative focal point. This lettuce kit on the kitchen counter makes creating a fresh salad for dinner or adding to wraps or burgers quick, easy, and as good as it gets!
2. Cost-Effective and Eco-Friendly
Mason jars are affordable and readily available, making them a budget-friendly choice for anyone looking to start a small garden. Using mason jars as planters is an eco-conscious choice, as it repurposes items that might otherwise go to waste. By upcycling these jars, you reduce the demand for new planters and contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. They also have dual purpose so when you are done using them for one thing (like storing food in) you can use them to grow your own food.
3. Self-Watering Magic
The self-watering feature of mason jar planters is a game-changer for those who struggle with plant care. The concept is simple: the jar acts as a water reservoir, while the coconut coir and clay pebbles - or soil depending on the growing medium, and the plant sit above it. A wick, often made from cotton draws water up from the reservoir into the growing medium as needed. This ensures that your edible plants receive a consistent and controlled water supply, reducing the risk of overwatering or underwatering.
4. Ideal for Small Spaces
Mason jar planters are perfect for urban dwellers or anyone with limited gardening space. Their compact size makes them a practical choice for windowsills, countertops, or balcony gardens. You can grow a variety of herbs, such as basil, cilantro, and sage, or even small vegetables like cherry tomatoes or lettuce, all within the confines of a mason jar.
5. Educational and Fun
If you have children or are passionate about teaching others about gardening, mason jar planters offer a hands-on and engaging way to learn about plant growth and care. Watching seeds sprout and plants thrive in a clear glass jar can be a fascinating and educational experience for both kids and adults.
6. Easy Maintenance
Maintaining mason jar planters is hassle-free. You can easily monitor the water level, ensuring that your plants receive the right amount of moisture. The transparent glass also allows you to check the condition of the roots and soil, making it easier to identify any issues early on. Additionally, mason jars are easy to clean and sanitize, promoting healthier plant growth.
In the world of gardening, innovation knows no bounds, and mason jars have proven to be a delightful surprise as self-watering planters for edible plants. Their affordability, eco-friendliness, and charming aesthetics make them an excellent choice for novice and seasoned gardeners alike. So, why not embark on your own mason jar gardening adventure and enjoy the taste of homegrown herbs and vegetables, all while adding a touch of rustic beauty to your space? Get creative, have fun, and watch your edible garden thrive in these timeless glass containers.
Which plant growing kit should I buy? Which one is the easiest to grow? Which one will last the longest? Which one will they/I like the best? I’m new to gardening…HELP!?
These are questions that may come up when trying to figure out which planting kit is right for you, and if you are giving it as a gift, trying to decide which one might they like can cause some anxiety.
Here is a little guide to help you out. Here’s the main info you may want to know. Here’s a quick reference:
]]>Which plant growing kit should I buy? Which one is the easiest to grow? Which one will last the longest? Which one will they/I like the best? I’m new to gardening…HELP!?
These are questions that may come up when trying to figure out which planting kit is right for you, and if you are giving it as a gift, trying to decide which one they might like may cause some anxiety.
Here is a little guide to help you out. Here’s the main info you may want to know. Here’s a quick reference:
These grow the fastest: Greens. Your lettuce, arugula, and swiss chard. Greens are the fastest to grow and fastest to harvest. These are all cut and come again meaning you can get longer harvest times. Some full grown plants will be ready from seed to harvest in just 30 days.
Grab the bundle of all three here
The most popular: You can’t go wrong with basil. It is the best seller and for good reason. It germinates fairly quickly (in about 3-5 days on average) and can get pretty tall if you allow it. The more the merrier. You can use it in many versatile ways.
Grab the hydroponic. Grab the soil.
Growing fruit looks tough. How long does it take? It’s not as tough as it looks but it can take a bit longer to harvest and can potentially be more “involved”.. Expect it to take 2-3 times longer than your greens. We are talking about 60 + days until fruiting. These are for the long term commitment-loving people. But there is no reward without some risk and patience. Tomatoes and peppers produce very easily, it’s very much a set and forget plant, but the fairy tale eggplant can be a bit more finicky and can require some hand pollinating if they aren’t producing on their own.
Grow your own fruit Indoors here: Tomato, Fairy Tale Eggplant, Thai Hot Ornamental Pepper
What’s good for a semi-experienced gardener? Mint, thyme, cilantro, and sage are great for people not new to gardening. Mint can be tricky to get started, the seeds are some of the smallest you can encounter. Thyme takes time to grow and get established. Cilantro takes 2 weeks to germinate so it can seem like it can take awhile before it appears (not the best for the instant gratification people out there), and sage is a love it or hate it plant, much like cilantro. People either love the taste or hate it!
Grab the hydroponic. Grab the soil.
Hydroponic or Soil? Hydroponic is relatively different when it comes to gardening. These plants aren’t just sitting in plain ol water but rather nutrient infused water. All the nutrients, the N-P-K (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium), in soil are contained in hydroponic plant food. If you want to try something new, see the roots, grow plants you normally wouldn’t be able to grow in a soil container indoors try Hydroponic. If you’re more of a traditional grower, try the soil. You can’t go wrong with either and both are fun.
Tips:
Don’t grow what you think someone won’t use on a regular basis. I don’t recommend growing sage if you only use it once a year around the holidays. When in doubt, pick basil. It’s easy, relatively fast, smells great, abundant to grow, and can be used in a multitude of ways.
Do grow something that you can use in versatile ways. Greens are a great example of this.
Don’t grow something you won’t use! All these plants thrive off of *conscious harvesting, so the more you need it the more it will grow.
Do think of ways you can incorporate it into your life and favorite meals, drinks, and dishes. Try new recipes to spice up your life.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. There is support here at Coco and Seed. Ask away, visit the blog, watch our videos on youtube, instagram, tiktok, meta/facebook, and anywhere you see Coco and Seed videos.
Do have a curious mind! Gardening should be fun! Try something new. We offer a free seed guarantee if you don’t succeed with your first growing attempt. Try again with the same plant or try something new.
*conscious harvesting refers to the idea of harvesting, pruning, cultivating as much as you need without causing shock to the plant. Over harvesting can cause shock and slow regrowth to some plants (herbs and greens). Not harvesting when ready will cause the plant to stop producing.
]]>There are many fruit plants that are self pollinating or self fruiting. The flower contains both the male and female parts to fertilize and grow their own fruit without the need for a second plant to assist it.
In fact, many gardeners opt for self-pollinating plants because they are easier to grow and maintain. Here are three popular fruit plants that produce fruit on their own and grow well indoors.
First up:
Micro, cherry or any small variety of tomato does well indoors. Depending on the variety they can grow well indoors and not take up too much space, both vertically or horizontally. Cherry tomatoes grow in clusters which make them great for picking or cutting them right off the stem, and are great for snacking when tending to the garden, or cutting and adding to a hot pan for steaming.
Second:
If you made it this far you may be wondering if tomatoes and peppers are even fruits or If they are vegetables. Wait until we get to number 3, but yes, these are fruits.
Peppers are wonderful self pollinators and grow well indoors without any outside intervention. The Thai Hot Ornamental pepper is a lot of fun to watch grow as they change colors and look like little Christmas tree lights but pack a punch! Thai Hot Ornamental peppers sit on the pretty hot scale of 50,000-100,000 Scoville units. In comparison, jalapeños sit around the 2,000-8,000 range! These are most definitely small but mighty peppers and grow without any hassle.
Third:
One thing these three have in common is not only the argument whether they are fruits or vegetables, but they are all members of the nightshade family. So eating tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants are nightshade fruits and also provide many health benefits, so don't be put off by the name!
Growing eggplants indoors can be a bit trickier than growing tomatoes and peppers. While they are self fruiting sometimes these plants need a little extra help producing their pretty purple fruit.
A tip for growing these is to vibrate the plant to get the pollen moving by either gently shaking it to simulate wind, or using something like an electric toothbrush. Essentially what this does is simulate wind or a buzzing insect. Sometimes the pollen needs help getting down to the stigma to start the production process.
Another tip is to take one eggplant flower and using the stigma massage it to another eggplant flower in the morning hours when the flower is the most open.
By doing these tricks, and planting these seeds or transplants you can have fruit growing indoors, any time of the year.
Products used to grow these indoors are:
]]>Expanded clay pebbles, also known as hydroton, are a type of porous potting media made from fired clay. Used in hydroponics and aquaponics, they are an excellent horticultural substrate for growing plants. Their porous structure and ability to wick water and nutrients make them an ideal growing medium for plants.
Clay pebbles are also a perlite alternative made from natural clay. They are non-toxic, pH neutral, and environmentally friendly. Because of its porous nature, areas of space between the clay pebbles help your plants roots breathe and move around freely in turn allowing the roots of your plant easy access in taking up water and nutrients.
These garden tools serve multiple purposes in non-tradtional gardening methods like:
Although clay pebbles can be a staple in hydroponic and aquaponics you can use them in traditional garden methods too. These same reason you may want to aerate the soil, maintain even watering levels, allow the roots to move freely through what could be packed soil, clay pebbles are very helpful in these cases. Because they are several times larger than perlite, they can aid in better aeration.
While it may go by many different names like, hydroton, hydroballs, or LECA (lightweight expanded clay aggregate) these balls of baked clay can benefit many types of plants. The high heat capacity of the balls helps to regulate soil temperature, providing plants with a stable environment in which to grow.
Do you use these in your garden? If not I hope you can see the benefits of these natural little wonders and give it a try!
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Back in 2019 I had just started getting back into creative projects, planting seeds, and reviving my business I put on hold. After deciding to leave the tech industry, and ultimately corporate America, it was time to get back into small business life.
After reactivating my Instagram account I immersed my way back into all things #plantlife. While connecting with the community at large through another account called Black Girls With Gardens I connected with the multi-talented gardener, tiny house living, home schooling, musician, certified yoga instructor, singer, the price is right winner, and then some extraordinaire, Siri Lorece.
I had the honor of chatting with Siri on her podcast Kinda Hippie, Kinda Hood...oops, did I mention podcast host to the list?
You can listen to the episode by clicking here or pressing play below.
Learn more about Siri and what she is up to by visiting her Instagram as well as the very soul-inspiring community she is building over at Creative Arts Farm where she is sowing seeds of wellness. You can also visit her website where she just released her very first solo EP. Check it out here!
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There are many reasons why you may want to grow lettuce indoors. Perhaps you are looking to save money on groceries, or maybe you want to have a little bit of green in your life all year long. Here are three reasons why growing lettuce is a great idea:
1) Lettuce is fast and easy to grow.
2) Lettuce is a tasty leafy vegetable high in nutrients.
3) Lettuce can be grown in moderate climates, making it an ideal crop for people
Lettuce is easy to grow which makes it wonderful for first time growers. Depending on the variety you can see sprouts as soon as 3 days after planting. It's as close to instant gratification you can get with growing edible plants from seed.
It's also a very forgiving plant which makes it wonderful for low maintenance gardeners. Plant some seeds, cover them up, make sure the growing medium is well hydrated, and then voila! Delicate, soft, pet-able leaves that you grew yourself spring up!
On the beginner gardener scale, lettuce would fall under the recommended side for excitement. For not only quick growing but relatively quick harvest at around 30-45 days.
You can't go wrong with a fast growing plant, that is pretty and colorful, but also tastes great. Sure, having a pothos plant is great. It's sturdy and can survive through a lot of neglect, but can you eat it?
Chances are you're not chopping off leaves from your standard indoor house plants to add to your burger, sandwich, or make a mighty fine deliciously tasty Caesar salad with.
Lettuces are leafy green vegetables. You can get a lot of taste and health benefits out of it too.
According to this article from WebMD you can find a variety of nutrients like Vitamin K for bone health, Vitamin A which is a key player in eye health, it contains some Vitamin C and iron, but is also a great source of hydration with water making up 95% of its structure. This article breaks down which type provides more of which vitamin.
The lettuce seeds included in the hydroponic mason jar garden kit contain a variety of lettuce seeds such as romaine, oak leaf, lollo rossa, and red and green lettuces. The seeds in the lettuce kit covers almost all bases.
You can grow this almost anywhere! In Arizona when temperatures peak at 118 degrees fahrenheit in the summer, and wants to tease up to 120, you can have some crispy summer salads without worry of the wilt from the outside garden bed. Growing indoors is the ideal option, no matter the time of the year or the location, because of the temperature controlled environment and honestly, no pesky bugs trying to compete with your food!
Lettuce grown indoors, especially in the hotter months may drink up more water than normal but it's comforting to know your water source, the air your lettuce leaves are breathing in, and ultimately that they are thriving with little maintenance.
If another E-Coli outbreak occurs and lettuce is threatened then you know you are covered with your own stash of greens. Plus, an opened bag of lettuce with little critters inside in not my idea of a good time, no matter how "helpful" little miss, or mister, ladybug is.
Have you tried growing indoors? Stayed tuned for more!
]]>The Tidy Treats variety of container tomato plant is unique because it has the size of a determinate but produces like an indeterminate. So while it's made for containers, containers vary!
But you can still grow some healthy and happy tomatoes in a mason jar, even a pint sized jar. While it may continue to grow up for a couple feet you can always control how big they get by cutting the stem, or what's called "topping off".
It sounds scary but don't be scared! Would you rather have an out of control plant, or have a smaller manageable size with bunches of tomatoes as tall as your basil plants.
Below are some videos showing the progress of originally topping off one tomato plant, putting it in water until the roots form, then replanting in the jar.
You don't have to put it in water and wait for roots, you can certainly place it directly in a hydro kit or in a grow pod first.
Any questions or comments? Leave them below!
]]>When it comes to starting seeds this is a common problem that beginner gardeners tend to ask themselves in frustration. Why aren’t my seeds growing?! Beginner or not each seed is different in terms of size, type, and germination and many times it is trial and error. Some seeds need weeks to germinate, others may need help by scraping the seed to wear it down a bit to have an easier time opening up, others really prefer light and to not be covered up at all. While each seed may be different there is usually a common thread to this age old question, particularly in terms of indoor gardening and container gardening. And that is overwatering.
You may have heard that overwatering is worse than underwatering, when it comes to your little seedlings that is usually the case. Remember there is a dormant life in there and all it needs is to be activated. Giving it the best chance with an aerated growing medium that is not soaking wet is key.
The best thing to do: let it dry out! Give it time to expel some of its extra water and once you do you will begin to see seeds sprouting in just a few days. And keep this up! Once it sprouts don’t get water happy, that’s when they wither away.
Find the Goldilocks method: not too wet, not too dry... just right!
Do you need a large growing space to grow palm sized, and even bigger, leafy greens? Absolutely not.
Brightly colored swiss chard can is just one of the many things you can grow indoors on a windowsill, no grow lights needed.
This particular variety is called Bright Lights and you can see why it gets that name. The gorgeous yellows, pinks, oranges, and whites brighten up any kitchen garden grow area.
These sit on the south facing windowsill where it can get a good balance of direct and indirect sun light all day long with the early morning and early afternoon hours being the best for direct light.
The container they are growing in is roughly the same depth and width at around 5.5 inches. Again, not a huge container, but look at how healthy they are!
These leafy greens use the passive hydroponic technique by wicking up nutrient rich hydroponic fertilizer via a thick cotton string. The string also helps to make sure the coconut coir is evenly saturated with enough moisture. Not too much that it will drown and not too little that they will dry out. There are holes at the bottom that allow aeration and roots to work their way through to get instant access to the food source.
Products used in this video are:
EcoPlanter Base: Available Here
EcoPlanter Refill: Available Here
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Products used: Hydroponic Mason Jar Garden Kit
Harvest when you need them, pinch flowers or cut stems to promote more growth, preserve the leaves by freezing, drying, making something with them (like a salad dressing or herb salt or butter)...These are some of the ways you can promote growth and save what you have. But here's another thing, why not root them in water?
The most important thing is using your herbs as they grow. Like most plants, the more you use them, the more they will produce for you, and thus the more they will grow.
So what happens if you just plant a seed and leave it? Typically what happens is they grow, then produce flowers, if it gets too hot it will bolt, or go to seed before it's ready, and the plant will taste bitter. Unwanted plants are not happy plants.
If you want to have EVEN MORE greenery and basil growing in your living space stick your cuttings in water. They will start growing roots in a couple of weeks and then you’ll have more plants to place into new garden kits, or containers, to tend to and eat from. Don’t let them go to waste! Let them multiply. :)
Give this a try and let me know how it works for you!
Need a reminder on the best way to harvest them? Watch below:
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Topping off a tomato plant can sound scary when you realize what it means. To top off a plant means to basically cut off the head of it at the stem. But why do we do this to plants? It's very common with tomato plants and that is to mainly control the size of it. Depending on its variety of indeterminate or determinate you may want to consider it more than not. Some varieties of tomatoes can grow and grow and staking, or vining, may not be something you may want to deal with.
Even compact container variety of tomato plants can benefit from a cutting. This is perfect for controlling the size, as well as focusing the energy on the existing fruit and new flower cluster production. It will grow width wise rather than continuing to grow upwards.
This particular container type is a dwarf indeterminate that will continue producing tomatoes for its growing season, outdoors that mean until frost comes. Because it is being grown indoors it will grow as a perennial and will last about 2 years before you'll want to plant again.
A big upside to topping off your tomato plant is being able to propagate, or root the cutting in water, to grow a whole new tomato plant!
Watch the video for a visual walkthrough on the benefits as well as a key indoor pollinating tip!
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So you've been growing your lettuce, now what? Ideal harvest time for your lettuce mix, comprised to romaine lettuces, rossa leaf lettuce, oak leaf lettuce, and red and green leaf lettuce. Ideal harvest time when growing indoors is between 28-40 days. If you wait too long to harvest your lettuce mix it can become bitter tasting.
The best tip I can give is to harvest when you need it. Use it as fresh as possible. Add it to your salad mix (throw in some microgreens, arugula, spinach, chard!), use it on your burgers or fish tacos, add it to your eggs in the morning as a side salad, and throw in some vine ripened hydroponic cherry tomatoes too.
You can get 2-3 good tasting harvests from your lettuce mix before you'll want to replace it with new seeds.
]]>In this quick video we show the best way to harvest your basil so that your plant becomes full and bushy rather than tall and lanky. By continually harvesting your basil the right way it will continue providing for you. The more you use it the more it will provide.
]]>When you first plant a seed you want to make sure that the water level is just within reach for the roots to have access to that nutrient rich water waiting below. You don’t want them to work too hard so keeping them within root’s reach will make sure that the plant is strong and encourages its growth. As always it’s important to keep an airspace so that the higher roots can take in oxygen while the longer roots seek out food.
In the case of hydroponics seeing roots exposed in a net pot is a very good thing. That’s one reason the net pots have so many holes in the bottom and/or around them. In traditional planter pots this isn’t exactly the case as that could be a sign it’s outgrown its pot and it’s time to repot the next size up. But in the case of hydroponics these roots are feeding on the nutrient rice water that sits in the container below. They are getting instant access to food and are not restricted by the container size. So going along with this, there is no need to transplant. The benefits with small space hydroponic growing is that you can use a larger container if you’d like but it’s not required.Bigger containers means more water holding capacity which in turn means less watering checkups. It won’t matter if it’s one cup or one gallon, your plant will continue to grow and grow and produce as long as you are feeding it well, checking on its health, and harvesting to encourage more growth.
So what does this mean for the roots? Well happy roots mean a happy plant. They should have a healthy light colored appearance. If they start to turn dark brown or green then they are struggling and this can be seen in the plant leaves as well. One thing to keep in mind is that roots can appear different colors like red, purple, and yellow if the plant itself is that color.
To maintain healthy roots keep your container clean, and topped up with fresh water and/or nutrients. A simple kitchen nozzle to gently massage roots can work wonders. If your roots look “congested” at all, or slightly discolored, you can use a very diluted hydrogen peroxide solution to clean them. Let it sit in this solution for a few minutes before rinsing then going back to your normal watering schedule. Too much hydrogen peroxide can burn the roots so keep a safe ratio 1 tsp per cup.
Roots can be trimmed on any plant but be sure to only trim what needs trimming! Any roots that are unhealthy can be removed but if they are healthy why not take in the view!
]]>Alright, harvest time! I often get the question about harvesting your greens like lettuce and arugula (and even wheatgrass!) and how much! These are all cut and grow again varieties. Let’s chat about that for a second!
Stick to the 1/3rd rule! Meaning, harvest only 1/3rd at a time. A couple reasons to do this are as follows:
💢SHOCK! Harvesting more than this at one time can cause your plant to go into shock. If this happens regrowing then then may be very slow, not as vigorous, or worse not at all :(
👣 Take only what you need. This reminds me of camping or hiking. Be gentle with it, if you don’t need to harvest it all then don’t feel the need to. Take only what you need (up to 1/3rd at a time) and leave the rest!
✂️ Alrighty, now where to cut? Give yourself roughly 2 inches from the base of the stem. Don’t cut all the way to the base because it won’t have a chance to grow at all! Don’t get too scissor happy 😄 give yourself a couple of inches of plant to work with so it has something to grow from! Cut where there are leaves. Deal?! Sweet! Now have fun harvesting buds! 🌿
]]>How to Harvest Your Swiss Chard For A Continuous Supply
Hey! Join me on the kitchen floor and let’s chat Swiss! No need to get fancy, I’m in my sweats 😊. Since some of you are just now starting to grow your Swiss chard let’s talk about how to harvest it to get the most out of your new plant! If you have any questions be sure to leave them below 🌱
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I realized what most people don’t know about gardening Indoors is that you can do so without bubblers and grow lights and soil. I wanted to share this corner of my windowsill with you because it’s where these cool cropped veggies are growing despite the temperatures being in the triple digits. Although fall is here around the corner, the high is 107 this week but that won’t stop me growing Swiss chard 🌱
If you look close enough You may be able to see where some of the lower leaves have snapped off by accident. That is ok! Because my tip for you today is to harvest the smaller outer leaves to use in salads or to green up your dish as this will encourage more growth! This particular plant is a big provider when harvesting the outside leaves and allowing the inside leaves to continue to grow. Talk about a near endless supply!
Grab your Swiss chard garden kits in store now!
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Updated 9.17.23
Matches! A secret indoor garden staple. Using matches in your garden can not only deter pests like gnats (the worst!) but also to add fertilizer to your garden.
Is this safe? Yes, these techniques have been used for generations! I personally first tested it out on household plants before using it in my edible garden. Sorry to my pothos plants for always being the guinea pigs. If you need convincing try it out on your houseplants before venturing out to your edible plants.
So what do match stick heads contain? The main ingredient is phosphorous sulfide which essentially boils down to just phosphorous and sulfur. If you’re a plant nerd you know NPK are the macro nutrients that plants need and the P in that stands for phosphorous.
These “strike anywhere matches” also contain phosphorous sesquisulfide which is essentially the same thing, but with red phosphorous and sulfur.
The other main ingredient in these matches is potassium chlorite. The K in NPK is potassium! See how these matches work in your garden? Potassium chlorite is composed of potassium, chlorine and oxygen. All together these combine to help your flowering plants fruit.
The best part of using these matches is that they get rid of those annoying gnats by integrating more sulfur into the growing medium which they hate. And ultimately we all love.
Have you tried this technique before?
——
How to use it:
In hydrated soil/coconut coir take 5-10 matches, depending on how big your container is, and place the match heads down in to the top layer of the soil, steering clear of direct contact with the roots.
Wait an hour, or until the match tips have fully absorbed into the growing medium, and dispose of the match sticks however you normally would!
It’s that easy! Watch your plant flourish and gnats disappear. Repeat as necessary.
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One thing that I haven't noticed is when adding matches to your garden your fruiting plants may respond to ripening quicker. I have tried this with tomatoes and peppers and they seem to ripen and turn red a little quicker, especially when growing indoors. You can insert them directly in the coconut coir when using in the EcoPlanter refills or in the coconut coir grow pod in the hydroponic mason jar garden kits.
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Let’s head into the weekend with another garden hack that you may have hanging around your house! It’s called magnesium sulfate or MgSO4 7H2O or magnesium sulfate heptahydrate or most commonly known as Epsom Salt 😊
It breaks down into essentially magnesium and sulfur (and oxygen) which are micronutrients plants need. We talked about the 2 of the 3 macros in the matchstick post (phosphorus and potassium) but plants also need micros to help them absorb their macros.
So what does Epsom salt do to your plants and how much should you use? Epsom salt is really great for flowering plants. For the Coco and Seed kits that includes Thai hot peppers, eggplants, and tomatoes. Will your plants grow without added Epsom salt, of course! There is no need to go out and get it if you don’t already have some readily available.
But if you do have some what this does is improve flower bloom, really makes your green leaves greener, increase flavor, increase nutrient absorption, and may increase yield due to the added benefits.
So how much do you use? This is a bit trickier to determine as it varies from different sources. Personally, with the hydroponic nutrients 1/4th teaspoon per gallon is recommended. Some places list up to two tablespoons per gallon!! That’s a big difference. I recommend starting with less and working your way up to 1 teaspoon, then from there if your plants are enjoying it and looks like they can use more then venture slowly. Too much, just like with anything, can be harmful.
This mixture can be used on regular houseplants, plants in soil, hydroponics and outdoor gardens and flowering or non flowering plants. It benefits flowering plants more but go wild!
Either mix it into water beforehand or sprinkle some on top (or spray on leaves as a foliage spray) or water in if using in a traditional garden space.
]]>Growing Fairy Tale Eggplants Indoors!
Harvesting them is easy! In this quick video you can not only see how easy it is to harvest these little cuties but also watch me awkwardly talk about them self pollinating. It’s like having “the talk”. 😅 These little ones are great and you can get dozens and dozens and DOZENS of them in a small space Indoors, on your windowsill! Yup! Pretty darn cool if you ask me!
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Rice water fertilizer? Check! Banana peels? You bet!
The red sun has been beaming down in Arizona these past several days, you can even see it in the pictures I took of my banana tea fertilizer. I don’t know why but it encourages me to want to use more of what I have around the house and put it back towards my plants! I made several jars of this banana fertilizer after making many loaves of banana bread.
Each mason jar has 3 banana peels and they have been sitting in water for just under 2 days! They have already been fermenting and bubbling. Also reminds me of halloween and the holidays when we will undoubtedly be baking all the things. Bubble bubble 🔮
How to make it:
🍌 Take 2-3 banana peels and completely submerged in water in a container (I use a glass mason jar). Loosely cover. If you’d like it to ferment quicker then securely close the lid.
🍌 let it sit for just a few of days then remove and dispose of them however you’d like (compost/blend them up and fertilize outdoor plants).
🍌 Dilute with water to feed your plants, house plants or edible plants, for a boost of potassium, calcium, phosphorous, manganese, magnesium and more vital nutrients.
🍌Storage. I’m no expert here but fermented liquids don’t need to be refrigerated but kept in an airtight container (think kombucha and kimchi). If white mold or yeast appears don’t worry about it, it’s harmless. If it begins to turn colors you’ll want to discard it.
Will you be giving banana tea fertilizer a try? One last important thing, water from below and dilute to keep any nearby bugs far away.
If you're adding it to your passive hydroponic kits dilute, dilute, dilute! Allow your plant to drink it up and then flush with water and then repeat!
Updated: 5.9.2022
]]>The good news here is that the Thai Hot Peppers, Tidy Treat Tomatoes, and Fairy Tale Eggplants are all self pollinating fruit bearing plants. Sometimes they can use a little bit of help, but you can leave your makeup and paintbrushes at home.
So how can you stop your leaves from dropping before they produce fruit? Create some movement. This can be airflow from an open window, a fan, a simple touch, or a handy tool you may already have, an electric toothbrush!
But don’t worry, your bristles will be safe, it’s the simple vibration while touching the stem that gets the pollen moving from within each flower. So no need to carry pollen from one flower to the next, but rather there are male and female parts within the same flower that can create some tasty tomatoes, or mouth watering spice.
Watch this clip for a demonstration!
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So here are a couple of tips when growing Coco and Seed tomato growing kits.
There will be a few seeds available in each kit but it’s advised to only keep 1 seedling/plant per container. These tomatoes can get large and take over the space. Growing only 1 can keep the size down as well as maintenance.
2. Well Fed
Tomatoes, just like other flowering plants will require a fair amount of nutrients. Once the flowers arrive be sure that the plant has enough nutrients, whether provided from the shop, homemade, or purchased elsewhere. Once the plant starts putting energy into producing fruit it can use an extra food boost. This can as simple as increasing the plant food ration from 50:50 up to 60:40 or even 70:30 if it looks like the plant needs more
3. Shake to Pollinate
The tomato seeds provided in the kits are self pollinating, meaning that there doesn’t need to be outside intervention, pollinating bugs, or paint brushes to get your tomatoes to start appearing. What can further assist is a gentle shake. My favorite tool is an electric toothbrush to merely touch the stems to have the whole plant vibrate. That helps the pollen move throughout the flower. A fan to help circulate the air and strengthen the stem also works. Once the flowers appear don’t forget to give them a friendly shake. The same rules apply to the thai chili peppers and eggplants!
4.Cut the stems or pull one by one
When it comes time to harvest you can do it one of two main ways. One is cutting the whole stem when they all turn red or two, pulling individual tomatoes once they turn red. They won’t all ripen at once so feel free to pick and or choose :)
5. It keeps growing!
Your tomato plant will keep producing flower sets even after your tomatoes have come and gone. While they ripen at different times they will continue flowering. Keep watering after your harvests and look for more buds to arrive.I hope these tomato tips help along your growing journey!
Feel free to watch this short video chatting all about them here.
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Updated 9.17.23
Mold and fungus is everywhere! Have you tried this method? Some indoor and potted plants are prone to getting white mold but don’t freak out. This is totally normal and is deemed harmless to the plants and us. This is because there can be a lack of air circulation, overwatering, and not enough sunlight to help dry it out.
Even looking around at my own pots some have a bigger issue while others seem just fine. An easy way to fix this would be to open windows and turn on fans to make sure there is enough airflow. Make sure there is adequate sunlight to help dry out the topsoil, and making sure not to overwater. The last one is the biggest part! Check to make sure of where your water levels are. If it's too high reduce it and let things dry out a bit.
If you have excess water feel free to drain it and let it dry up a bit. Plants like thyme do not like to be overwatered, so letting it dry out in between watering periods can help.
You can also scrape it off and replace it with new topsoil. My new personal favorite is adding a thin layer of ground cinnamon! Cinnamon is a natural fungicide and helps prevent the growth of mold. You can work it into the top layer of your growing medium!
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If you see white mold on your clay pebbles in your hydroponic mason jar kits that means that your water level is too high. Keep an eye on this as the water level should not go above the bottom of the grow pod/bottom of the net pot, especially when first starting your seeds. The clay pebbles absorb water and release it when the grow pod needs it.
When your plant begins to grow roots those should be the only part in contact with the nutrient water.
If you begin to see the mold appearing take that as a sign that you are over-loving them and they need some room to breathe.
Alternative to cinnamon you can also clean off your pebbles in a light bleach to water solution, or hydrogen peroxide and soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and allow them to dry before returning them to the net pot in the mason jar. Because they absorb so well you don't want them to hold onto the bleach or soapy water solution.
*Originally posted on IG here
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1) Grow something you will actually want to eat
2) Have fun and try new things
You know what they say, store-bought will never taste as good as homegrown. I can tell you now that I love spinach, I’ve eaten it regularly ever since I can remember but this, THIS right here is what I imagine Popeye would eat 😆. It tastes full of life, green and earthy, but dense and filling and fresh. Yes, all of those! I wish you could taste this because spinach will never taste the same again 🤤 grown indoors on the windowsill, indoor farm to table mission complete!
Check out these photos below to follow along the journey.
Just seeded. Planted about 1/4th inch deep, or roughly pinky nail deep.
Week 3: Slow growth but finally starting to see some progress!
One week later
Week 5:
The following week:
So there you have it! The journey to grow some spinach indoors. Now, onto the next adventure in indoor farming :)
]]>This little thyme was planted in the pint-sized mason jar but hasn't had trim yet. Mainly we do this for two reasons:
1) To encourage new growth
2) To use those delicious smelling and savory tasting herbs
If you have some little herbs around and haven't harvested yet, go ahead and do it! They'll love you for it.
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Microgreens! What are they? How much do you use? Microgreens are a great quick way to incorporate vegetables into your diet. Some microgreens have 4x to 40x more concentrated nutrients than their full-grown counterparts*
Typically harvested fresh and as you need them you can add them to entree dishes, soups, salads, sandwiches, smoothies, etc.
Microgreens are steps up from sprouts as they have at least their first set of leaves that have formed and have been able to absorb nutrients during the photosynthesis phase. It’s truly nature’s fast superfood.
Depending on your use a handful of microgreens fulfill the nutrient and mineral values you need in a day. Radish has vitamins A, B, C, E, K, calcium, magnesium, essential amino acids, and more!! Yes indeed!!
* Data cited from University of Maryland
#microgreens #indoorediblegarden #eatyourgreens #radishes #radish