Time To Get Crackin’!

I’m back.  Sorry to go AWOL for the previous blog post.  I got a little carried away with spring-cleaning and aggravated an old injury.  Sitting was just not possible.  As much as I love writing, it’s not easily done when lying prone.  I discovered that while attempting to post a “stand-by” blog meant for just such occasions.  First, I lost the file through some technical glitch – most likely user-error.  When I finally found the missing file, the data was irretrievably corrupted.  Sigh.  Time to rebuild that post...

Not today, though.  It’ll soon be time to plant our garden so I wanted to talk about using egg-shells for feeding plants in-home and in the yard.  I’ve found three fantastic uses for them.

Some people add egg shells to the compost however, I’ve read, proteins (which raw egg shells contain) should NOT be added to the compost as they create offensive odours and slow the decomposition process.  Still, egg-shells are an excellent and easily absorbed source of calcium for plants, so it would be a shame to waste this free, organic product.  I begin saving egg-shells a few weeks before planting time.

First, boil the raw shells in water to cook off any residual proteins.  (The shells of hard-boiled eggs don’t require re-boiling but should be cleaned of any remaining albumen.)  After boiling the raw shells for a couple/few minutes, strain the water into a jar and allow to cool.  Acid-loving houseplants in need of a little pH balancing  will benefit from waterings with this solution.

Next, spread the boiled shells on newsprint and allow to dry thoroughly.  Once dry, place a few shells at a time between two sheets of newprint and, using a rolling pin, gently crush the shells to a coarse crumble.  Store in a jar until needed.  Use this “first crush” as snail and cutworm deterent by creating small egg-shell berms around the base of susceptible garden plants (such as cabbages).  Soft-bodied pests will either avoid or be destroyed by the coarse and jagged shells.

But wait!  There’s more!  Egg shells are a rich source of calcium carbonate, commonly sold in garden centres as lime.  Plants like beans, broccoli, carrots and rhubarb thrive in more acid soils (pH of 6.0 or less) so, for these plants, make a “second crush”of shells by pulverizing some of crushed shells with a food processor or mortar and pestle.  When preparing to plant, sprinkle some of this powder in the prepared rows, cover with a dusting of soil, and plant as usual.  For perrenials like rhubarb, work a little of the powder into the surrounding soil by careful hand-tilling.

Throughout spring and early summer, I continue these boiling and crushing processes to ensure there’s enough crumble and powder for each successive planting.  Once the last planting is done, I add any remaining powder to the compost and quit until the next spring.  Through the fall and winter, if a houseplant looks in need, I’ll boil a few shells for the watering solution only – the shells themselves won’t store for long periods without smelling funky.

With spring-cleaning mostly behind us, yard-work is now pressing.  We’ve saved up a generous supply of toilet paper rolls, coffee grounds and egg-shells, and now it’s finally time to get our hands dirty.  None too soon, either.  I hear wild asparagus is sprouting!

 

Indoor-Plant Care

It's time for spring cleaning. Oh joy. Though not my favourite activity, it does offer a wonderful sense of satisfaction when it's completed. Fortunately for me, we just moved in to a new home so most of the major cleaning was done just a couple months ago. The plants, however, still carry the dust of 2009, with more layered on during the move. They missed getting their usual fall cleansing and are crying out for attention.

Commercial plant soaps and leaf gloss can be expensive, though. Instead, I use a couple household products that cost fractions of cents per use. One is dish detergent and the other is glycerine.

First, I give water-loving plants a shower. Literally. I wait until they're fairly dry, ready for watering, and then place them in the tub. The water must be tepid, neither hot nor cold, and I ensure that temperature before opening the shower valve. Also, a gentle stream of water is best. Harsh spray will tear tender leaves and branches. Once the shower is started, I place one drop of dish soap on my palm and, under the shower stream, rub my hands together to create suds. These suds rain down on the plant and should be allowed to penetrate the soil. Depending on the size of the plant, you might need to repeat this sudsing a couple times. This has a three-fold effect: it cleans the leaves and branches; it helps kill aphids, spider mites and their eggs; and, it provides some mild fertilization.

Not all plants tolerate a shower. My Cycad or African violet would die miserable deaths if watered so profusely and directly. For these plants, I use an old (but clean) make-up brush to remove lint and dust. If there are stubborn deposits, I use a soft terry-cloth rag to wipe soil from firm leaves, those without hairs as this process would damage them.

Once the plants have all been cleaned, I apply a home-made leaf polish. To make your own, combine ½ teaspoon glycerine with ¼ cup tepid water. Stir until glycerine is well dissolved. Then, dip a soft (rag) cloth in the mixture, wring it out until just damp, and wipe leaves gently. The result will be a clean, green glow, not the high-gloss sheen that most commercial brands impart. Personally, I prefer the more subtle, natural-looking lustre.

This whole process may take days, depending on the number of plants queuing for the shower and leaves awaiting individual attention. After plants are cleaned, they perk up noticeably. Quite often, new leaves and branches sprout eagerly after I've completed this twice-yearly procedure. Dust clogs the pores but, once clean, plants "breathe" easier, prompting their growth and increasing their capacity to filter household pollutants from the air.

Gardeners: Start saving newspapers!

As Vulcan remains gripped by this long, cold winter, it's not surprising I've developed a fixation with spring. And, with thoughts turning ever-increasingly to growing things, gardening often comes to mind. It's a marvelous way to keep the budget tamed and some good produce on the table but how, you may be asking, can you bring even greater thrift to this already economical activity? Here are a few ideas to get you started.

First, if you haven't already done so, start a compost pile or bin to cut fertilizer costs. Working compost into your garden each spring can be as effective as manure and other commercial fertilizers. A compost pile is also a great place to toss vegetable trimmings and leaves, helping to relieve the garbage burden headed to the curb each week. Proteins don't "digest" well in the compost and they attract pests and critters, so keep things like cheese, meats, and egg out of there. Crushed eggshells, however, are a terrific slug deterrent when placed around susceptible plants in your garden. Composted soil can also be used for indoor plants, but that requires sterilization.

Once your compost starts producing, you'll have another use for its rich black loam. Throughout the growing season, you can make a feeding solution from it. Simply fill a tightly-woven sack -- an old pillowcase works great – with a heaping shovelful of composted material. Then, suspend the sack into a deep barrel or other large water container (minimum 25-gallon capacity.) Fill the container with water and let "steep" for several hours or until the color of strong tea. In areas with heavy rainfall, you'll want to cover the barrel so rainwater won't dilute the mixture. Use this compost-tea to spot-water any plants which need feeding, making sure to refill the barrel with water after each use so you'll have a ready supply. When the water becomes pale, simply replenish the composted material, re-submerse the sack, and allow it to "steep" again before using. At the end of the season, the barrel should be emptied and overturned.

Many of you may already be recycling newspapers. However, if you're a gardener, you may want to recycle them in an entirely new way. When laid on pathways between garden rows newspapers are very effective at keeping weeds down (without the use of herbicides,) and they'll offer a little extra cushioning when kneeling to tend your garden. The newspapers should be kept whole, and laid to overlap, much like roof shingles. Keep in mind to lay the papers in a downhill direction – water will run off the top and not underneath where it will rot the paper faster. Unless you're in a rainy area, these newsprint pathways should last the season. Then – or, whenever weather reduces the paper – they make an excellent addition to your compost. Just make sure, before using any newsprint in your garden or compost, that the inks used are vegetable-based. If you're not sure, don't use them as any toxins in the ink will leach into the soil.

Another excellent way to cut costs is seed collection. Most gardeners strive to harvest their crops before they go to seed. It's usually the wisest thing to do. However, if you find a hard-to-come-by seed stock, or a variety you've had particularly good results with, you may wish to leave a plant or two in the garden. The seeds you collect from those successful plants are proven in and acclimatized to your garden, and their seeds should remain viable for the next year if treated properly. Make sure to gently clean (no water; just toweling) and air-dry the seeds before storing in dark containers and in a cool, dry place. Label those containers, noting the plant particulars and the year of collection. Home-collected seeds won't last as long as commercial seeds, which have been chemically treated to prevent loss of viability. That said, I've had limited success with herb and flower seeds saved for up to four years!

Speaking of seeds, they are one of the most cost-effective ways to garden. Seedlings are time-saving and convenient, especially if germination space is an issue, but they can be costly: for the price of one seedling, a whole packet of seeds can be purchased and will produce several plants.

For those of you who, like me, no longer have a garden plot available to them, container gardening is an alternative to consider. Pick items you eat regularly, and don't waste space with specialty plants. I grow the salad fixings: lettuce, radishes, scallions, and cherry tomatoes. Growing your own herbs can also bring huge savings, if used frequently. Herbs also grow well as houseplants, so you can enjoy their fresh flavors year-round.

Now, what are some of your thrifty gardening tips?