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:)

Friday, February 20, 2009

Window sill Gardening....and Artificial Lighting

You could purchase a book like this....




Or....

You could ask a girl like this...

No gurarantee that I will be any help...but at least you know I have done what I am tellling you to do myself. I am giving you the tips that worked for me.


You could purchase a ready made kit...complete with seeds (this one is an herb garden)

No guarantee about how old the seeds are that are inside...

Or...you could jump into your car and head to the nearest Wal-Mart. You can purchase the mini garden sets there for next to nothing. The one above is 1/2 the size of the ones I use in my greenhouse. It will hold 36 seed cells. It comes with a dome that will help keep the moisture in...and either 6 or 9 packs.The one above is the size I use in the greenhouse. It is about 12 inches across and almost 24 inches long. It too has a dome. The choice is yours....and it will be made depending on the amount of space you have to garden inside.

If your trays do not come as a kit with the seed cell packs in them...you can also purchase them separately at Wal-Mart.

OR...
...look around the house for things you can use to start your seeds in....egg cartons...both styrofoam and the cardboard ones work. The cardboard ones are great...you don't even have to remove the plant from them when it is time to move to a larger pot...as they will just fade away into the new soil....


You can purchase the peat pots that are not re-useable...but are "green"No matter what the preference you have for containers....You'll need some. The options for this are endless....Even clean, empty eggshells are perfect!

Purchase a small bag of potting soil,

choose a sunny windowsill.....the more light hte better....less light means you will be in the market for some of these
The photo above is a growing cart. It has the artificial lights built in...and you can use it in any area.

My luck with these is not so good. I have found that the plants need more light than those that I had purchased could offer. I suppose that going online and choosing an expensicve and appropriate lighting system would have been a lot better idea than the ones I had....that were not cheap...but appearantly not strong enough. My plants looked like skinny, weak, pale sprouts. And then they died. It was from this absolute failure that my greenhouse was born!

If you do use the artificial growing bulbs, make sure they are low enough to support the plant's light requirements....yet not too low as to burn the plants. Finding a reputable dealer that will be able to answer to what your needs are is a VERY good idea.
You have the lights, the dirt, the containers....
Now...all you need is seeds!
Plant them..and watch them grow!
(yes...these are MY eyes)

27 comments:

artis1111 said...

love the new colors. I asked about the lights because I just have 5 windows in my house. It is the way the house was built. So There is not a lot of light coming in. Kathy

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Great Information Toots and I love your Eyes..alway did tell you that they were beautiful..now Len does cloneing and is really great at it with trees and plants...he have grow lights with 1000 watt bulbs for this...he the green thrumb in the family...thanks love ya girl..hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for all the good info. I would much rather read your blog than a book, you make it fun. I'm ready for planting and spring. I can't wait to see your greenhouse and then your garden when they are in full bloom.
Keep the info coming I am learning so much and enjoying it at the same time. Oh by the way if your not sure what you talent is, look outside this spring and summer. You have more talent with flowers and gardens than anyone I know.
You are such an inspiration and the fact that you don't mind sharing your secrets makes you even more special. Thanks again!!!!

Unknown said...

Great tips here, thanks. And how could a seed not sprout with beautiful eyes like that waiting for them?

Kristen said...

What pretty eyes you have. I like your new photo.

Have you ever heard of a St Patrick's Day cactus? I posted mine today.

Thanks for the tips on growing seeds indoors. I love the eggshell idea!

xinex said...

Thanks for another planting lesson, Toots! Your blog is so informative...Christine

Justine said...

What big, lovely eyes you have! Don't know why, but half the pictures wouldn't load for me. Hmmm.

Justine :o )

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Great help and info. Your posts are always so full of wonderful and helpful information. Hugs, Marty

LillyB said...

Wow! Those are great eyes! And you have TWO of them!! They are beautiful!!
Thank you for the lessons on farming!!
Hope you are doing fabulous!!
xoxox
Lilly

squawmama said...

Well first like everyone else you have the most gorgeous eyes... Lucky girl... And let me tell you I loved this post it was so informative makes me want a house with a garden... I do grow a very little herb garden which I carry all over the USA... LOL LOL Have a great day Tootsie... Love ya

(((HUGS)))
Donna

cindy said...

Okay ~ you talked me into it! I am going to try to grow something...(for the first time ever in my life)....first I will have to an unfamiliar area of Walmart and get that kit thingy...hope I dont get lost, wish me luck. ~Cindy~

YaYa's Funhouse said...

you have motivated me to give this a try. Thanks for the info...and yes, I agree you have beautiful eyes.

~♥~ Monica S said...

Thanks for all the great tips! I sometimes like to plant seeds that come out with something eatable!! carrots, sweet peas etc.. fun for the kids too.. and carrots can be planted in milk cartons inside! :-)

WOOOOOW you have beautiful eyes!!

Monica

imjacobsmom said...

So that's what I've been doing wrong. Every time I try to start seedlings from seed I get spindly weak stems. Thanks for explaining this. ~ Robyn

nikkicrumpet said...

Dang woman you have beautiful eyes! I've always wanted to try one of those window gardesn...maybe I'll give it a go. At least I know if I screw it up I can come ask you for HELP!

Debra Hall said...

oh my gosh!!!this post is so stinking cute, I can't stand it! I am a gardener at heart, nothing I love to do more besides going junkin'! Going back to read more and lucky for me...you stopped by thanks to that cute, funny tart Nikki!
Debra

Debra Hall said...

oh! there she is right above me...LOL! Cottage Cheese (Debra)

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Tootsie, thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I do so enjoy yours and love all your gardening. I just went out and picked some starfruit off our bush in the backyard, I can't wait to make a great fruit salad. Do you grow fruit and vegetables? Thanks for following. I do so appreciate your visits. Hugs, Marty

Tootsie said...

ha ha! you guys flatter me!!! I am so glad my eyes did not creep you out!!! lol

Anonymous said...

What gorgeous eyes!!!

I keep thinking I will get my shelves up and get some seedlings going but as yet, have not. I have 3 of those little plant bottom warming pads- do you use those ever?

Blessings
mary -

jerseygirl211 said...

Hi Tootsie,

So you've had this recipe before, isn't it great.

Our son has been laid off from work and has been visiting, so I haven't been on here much.

You are looking more and more like your daughter, and looking younger and younger too. Great pictures even your eyes. ;)

Love & hugs
'D'

Julie said...

You are something else,
Ms. Eyes!!!!! They look mystical!

Jill said...

Your eyes are beautiful. You look good woman!

The font looks good! Clear and readable! :)

Raxx - A day in the life said...

Tootsie I love your new pics (of you) and what pretty eyes!!!!

Four Paws and Co said...

Great ideas, but I'd probably kill the little baby plants if I plant from seed... Guess I'll just continue to buy the little ones at the store.

You have such beautiful eyes! ♥

Garden Antqs Vintage said...

Wow, you really have a green thumb. Beautiful gardens. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Anonymous said...

Tootsie, thanks for visisting my LR on RMS, and the sweet comments. You are the cutest thing, just adorable, and those eyes! Wow! I love the color, but most of all, I think your eyelashes! I have always admired them from the first time I saw a pic of you! I am sorry you are having trouble sleeping, but I love what you do when you can't sleep! The tablescapes are so pretty! I don't garden, but I love to see yours! Love Ya! Connie