Mar 21, 2009

How to get Free Plants

1)Join Arbor Day and get 10 free trees with a membership.
2)Plant swap with friends, church members,& family
3)Organize or join a plant swap group
4)Post an ad on craigslist for wanted plant starts or cuttings
5)Call up your local funeral home and offer to take any leftover plants that are getting thrown away.
6)Save your seeds from the year
7)Divide your current plants and repot them.
8)Visit http://www.freetreesandplants.com/ - this provides jobs to people with disabilities
9)Ask a local nature activity park if you can have a start from their plants on display.
10)ask a local nursery for their unsold plants that they are going to throw out.
11)Call up local landscape companies and ask for any job extras.

Mar 19, 2009

I can't Believe It ! Spring Is almost Here!! Organic Gardening

I am so excited about Spring and warmer weather. I have a great treat for everyone! Its a New approach to Traditional Gardening. This year I am going Organic in the Garden or also known as Lasagna Gardening.

So Put the Shovel Down- *No Digging & No Tilling*

* Find your spot. You can use an existing garden spot or make a new one.*
Now for the different Layers
1)Layer the ground with brown cardboard or wet newspapers (5-6 sheets thick)
2)pile on the peat moss
3)throw on your veggie compost: cut up veggie scraps,egg shells, coffee grounds, etc.
4)layer with browns
5)layer with manure
6)layer w/leaves

Repeat process until 2-4 feet high
You can layer with saw dust, wood ashes, composted manure, shredded junk mail, etc.

I just started this process around 2 months ago and I will probably cover mine with black plastic until it gets warmer to speed up the composting process.

I am not a novice at this yet so here's a couple links to the full detailed instructions. You can also check out some books from the library for extra help.

http://http//ourgardengang.tripod.com/lasagna_gardening.htm

http://organicgardening.about.com/od/startinganorganicgarden
/a/lasagnagarden.htm


Have Fun!!