Sunday Bits #75 (Garden Sheds, Greenhouses, Organic Fertilisers)
- themarigoldgc
- Apr 21, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 7, 2024
I was watching Homegrown the other day, a gardening series on Magnolia Network. There are no gardening shows on HGTV, despite that G in there. Any who, I watched the new for this season episode first and then a repeat from last year. The repeat was about building a lovely garden room and plant propagation. I somehow loved it more this year than last, for whatever reason. I am not really big on indoor plants, they're just not my gig. However, I loved this episode a whole lot, so when I saw this podcast about propagating plants, I had to give it a read. If you love indoor plants, you will like this one (and Homegrown is a great show for all of us crazy about gardening peeps). I must admit, a pretty propagation wall would be super pretty.
If you have Magnolia, the Floret story is on today, too. Such a great watch.
I have a bunch of interesting reads and so many pretty greenhouse and potting shed pictures for you to peruse in today's post. I love nothing better than poking through other people's gardens, or greenhouses... whether in person or on line, it is always inspiring.
Gardening Bits
This beginner's guide to starting seeds indoors is very good. If you are new to starting seeds, you will enjoy this one.
Followed by this article with 3 Seed Starting Methods, with pros and cons for each method.
Are you tempted to quiet quit your garden?
No Mow May... good idea? Or not?
Most of you know that I am a no-digger, so I top dress my beds with manure/compost in the fall and walk away knowing that the beds will be ready to go in spring, with (usually) no further effort required on my part (a la Charles Dowding style). However, it takes time to build up great soil, here are some organic amendments that you can use for better crops, better yields in the meantime, for an organic boost. Organic gardening feeds the soil to feed the plants, so all of these items will make your soil better, not just the plant.
Ps, if you have really hard soil, poor soil, sandy soil, clay soil... mix in manure or compost rather than peat moss. Peat has no nutrients and is a non-renewable resource, but manure helps amend and condition the soil, plus contains nutrients so your plants will thrive. It takes several years to 'make' good soil, all good things come with time, as they say.
Also, soil never goes 'bad' unless some kind of contaminant is there, so no need to dig out the topsoil, or soil in your garden beds, but instead, buy a yard of manure/compost and dig that in. You may need to do it a couple of years running to build great soil, but you will see improvements already in the first year.
*As an Amazon affiliate, if you purchase an item from one of these links, I make a teeny bit of money to support my blog. It does not cost you a penny more than it would if you went to the item on your own, without my link. Huge thanks : )
Home & Garden Idea Bits
These stepping stone ideas for your garden. There is one other one, one that is not mentioned here, that is my personal favourite .... recycled rubber steppers. They come in squares and circles (see above). I like them because they last forever but mostly becuase they are super light so that I can easily move them about the yard myself.
These garden oasis ideas for your back yard. Number 3 is my favourite : )
These clever ways to set up your greenhouse. Followed by this article with many great greenhouse ideas and inspiration. Number 16 makes my heart beat a little faster.
I am in the process of looking for more lights to put in the yard. Not yet decided if I want to put in more solar lights, or the plug in kind, but thinking solar as the set I have now has been going strong for a year or longer - through the summer heat, rains, snow... and still are great. They are so worth it. The ones I have are the center ones but I like the other two a lot, as well. Now to decide how long a string I want and whether I want them super close together, or well spaced out.
How to care for cut tulips. Letting flowers soak up water for a few days is very important for longevity. A friend suggested poking a small pinhole through the stem, underneath the bud to help them stay standing up straight like soldiers. I have not tried it as I love how they grow, droop, and do their own thing in a vase, lol, but if you prefer they stay more upright, give it a go. Tulips will grow an inch or two in the vase!
Then check out this super cute and practical shed makeover.
What colour should I paint my shed... so many ideas here!
This free spring printable. I love free prints : ) Have this one hanging in my foyer right now.
This kitchen in mushroom (the colour, not chachkas) is so nice!
This lovely home in Gothenburg, a mix of old and new, with the sweetest patio space.
Recipes
Heavenly Chocolate Cake Roll - this is on my must make list this month. Maybe for dessert after I have this spaghetti pangratttato with crispy egg. Yum!
Yummy blueberry muffins with a lemon glaze. I cannot seem to stop my love of blueberry and lemon combinations.
Something different.. this almond cake. Is gluten and dairy free, though has eggs.
These vegan Twix bars! On my list to make!
This low-cal yummy looking eggplant recipe. Now to remember this for August! Maybe I need to buy eggplant and try it first.
I don't have an instapot but I love this idea for making homemade yoghurt! What do you think? Do I need to invest in one? If so, which one do you recommend?
I have started my whole wheat sourdough journey. The starter is now on day 6 so just a day away from being 'done'... I think. I have made one loaf of bread with the discard, which everyone liked, so am making another one today. I am not a fan of the sour flavour of sourdough, so never did jump on that bandwagon while everyone else was doing it. Darn it! I have since found out that some doughs are less sour, milder, but still good for you gut health, so here I am, giving it a try. Late to the game... yet again, hah!
Do you make your own sourdough bread? Any tips for me? Ideas for what to make with it besides bread? Open to all the things!
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