Learn how to use unconventional containers to begin your spring garden. Save money and enjoy the fruits of your labor with a vegetable garden.
It’s Time To Plan Your Spring Garden
Now that spring is approaching, it’s time to get your green thumb ready to start your summer garden.
Growing your garden is rewarding because it can save you much money in your grocery budget.
Another bonus is that you get to sit in the comfort of your home and enjoy putting food on your table that you had a hand in growing.
Growing your food is like printing your own money.
Ron Finley
How To Start Your Spring Garden From Seeds
My favorite time of year is when I start working on landscaping projects for my customers and preparing my vegetable garden.
Looking outside today, I find it hard to believe that spring is coming, but it will be here soon enough.
Around this time every year, my spring fever starts to kick in, and I can`t wait to see the beautiful green grass hiding under the dreaded snow.
As long as Old Man Winter makes his presence known, I must deal with it and wait.
In the meantime, I’ll get started on my garden seeds, so I’m ahead of the game.
While it looks like spring is still far off, if you plan to start your seeds indoors to grow your garden this year, don’t let spring sneak up and find you unprepared.
If you do find that you are behind in starting your seeds, don’t fear.
You can always purchase ready-made plants or search online for people giving away free plants.
Sometimes, people grow too many spring seedlings and are happy to pass them on.
Save up supplies around your home to simplify the gardening process!
It`s easy to go to a store like Wal-Mart or Lowe`s and buy a seed starting kit, but the costs can add up, especially if you purchase a new one yearly.
You likely have many things around your home that can be recycled and reused to start your spring garden seeds indoors.
Recycling And Biodegradable Pots
Start saving up your empty egg cartons instead of recycling them. Mr. CBB showed us in a post last year how to prepare egg cartons to sow your seeds.
The lids from the egg cartons can also be used for planting seeds that can be easily thinned out and divided after the seedlings have emerged.
A newspaper and a soup can go a long way in saving you some money on start-up costs.
Wrap some newspaper around a soup can then fold up the newspaper on one end and, using a small piece of tape, hold it together to form the bottom of your pot.
Removing and filling the soup can with potting soil gives you a biodegradable pot.
When it’s time to plant outdoors, put the whole thing in the ground or container, including paper and all.
You can also use a smaller can if you would prefer them to be smaller.
Empty toilet paper rolls can also be converted into biodegradable pots.
Make 5 or 6 slits in the bottom of the toilet paper roll about 1 inch up from the bottom, and then fold them all in to create a bottom.
I hope this gives you a few more ideas on other recycling methods in your home to use for growing your seeds indoors.
Ice Cream Cones
Purchasing the ice cream cones may cost you a dollar or two if you don’t have some in the cupboard.
The plants can be planted directly into the ground cone, and all can be done using ice cream cones.
It can be a fun way to start your seeds if you are doing it with your kids.
Just remind them not to eat them once they are full of potting soil.
Sounds strange, but don’t put it past them; they are learning, after all.
Plastic Containers For Your Spring Garden
If you are one of the unfortunate ones like myself who has to buy water to drink, what can you do with all those empty water jugs?
You could throw them into your weekly recycling bin or use them as a ‘pot’ for growing some of your garden plants.
We are on a Well system where we live and were advised that our water is not safe for drinking.
I do not have the space in my kitchen for a water cooler, so I tend to accumulate a few plastic water jugs throughout the year.
I plan to use the water jugs to grow some of my spring plants once I move them outdoors.
This season, I want to do my garden differently to show others how easily they can grow fruits and veggies, regardless of their space.
Other Odd Containers For Your Spring Garden
Because certain plastics can break down when exposed to extreme temperatures and sunlight, using water bottles for plants that do not need full sun would be in your best interest.
Other household items, such as large dish soap and laundry detergent containers, can be modified to grow a plant in your garden.
Milk jug seed starting is also popular for households who drink 2L and 4L gallons of milk.
If you decide to recycle plastic containers, check the number (ranging from 1-7) on the bottom of the container that indicates what the plastic is made of.
Anything with a ‘1’ is made out of PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) and has the potential to break down and leach into your plants if exposed to heat and sunlight for a long time.
Anything with a ‘2’ is made of HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene), a much more durable plastic that will not break down or leach any chemicals into your plants even when exposed to the elements.
Spring Garden Planting
How do you decide what to plant in your Spring garden?
It is worth your time and money to grow things that you will eat.
Look at your diet and grocery list and see what you can grow for yourself.
What fruits and vegetables do you eat regularly?
While some fruits and vegetables grow better and often taste better in cooler weather, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t grow them throughout the spring and summer.
Make a garden list, and once you have purchased your seeds, read the information on the back of the seed packet that tells you how long before the first expected frost you should sow the seeds.
Creating a garden planting schedule will help you not miss the best time to start your plants.
How many seeds you plant depends on how much yield you would like from your garden.
Growing different varieties of the same plant, such as beefsteak and cherry tomatoes, will ensure that you reap the benefits of your garden throughout the growing season.
The number of days until maturity (when the vegetables or fruit are ready to be harvested) can vary significantly among varieties of the same type of plant.
Many stores already have their seed packet displays set up, so shopping early will ensure you have a good selection of varieties.
Don’t be afraid to check the dollar store, as they have many seeds, typically selling for 3/$1.00.
Alternatively, you could also seed swap with our friend Karen at Lil Suburban Homestead, who has a garden that will blow your mind.
If you love honey, you must check out her bees.
Thinking Outside Of The Spring Planting Box
Now that you know what you want to plant, you must think of a few things before diving right in.
Start thinking about how and where you will grow your plants by answering these questions below.
- What requirements does the plant need?
- How much space the plant will need?
- How much light or lack of light is needed?
- What temperature and soil conditions are needed?
As I pointed out in an earlier post last year, gardening does not have to be limited to a traditional garden.
Growing a garden in a small space is doable with a little creativity and planning.
Spacing Plants For Your Vegetable Garden
How much space do the plants require to root and grow properly?
Spacing plants doesn’t have to be a tedious job if you do some research.
Vines such as zucchini can be grown in pots if the soil is deep enough for the roots to grow properly and adequate space for the plant to branch out.
A zucchini plant will need a bigger area to root and grow than a tomato plant.
Can you hang some of your plants?
Many plants, such as tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, lettuce, and various herbs, can be grown hanging up.
I used the Topsy Turvy to grow my tomatoes, which worked perfectly.
If you do not have a lot of space on the ground, think of ways to go up to plant your garden.
I shared pictures before of how I grew potatoes in a recycling bin, which anyone could do.
Use a cleaned-out garbage can or an old rain barrel, which would also work if you aren`t using it to collect water and have another potato-growing vessel.
Start Your Garden Seeds Indoors
Spring is coming…I promise.
While it seems like spring may never come at this point, it will eventually, so don’t put off starting your seeds indoors.
You want to get your plants outside when spring finally appears.
Many people use the May 2-4 weekend as their start time to begin planting their garden.
If you have to keep your spring garden seedlings and plants indoors a little longer, that is what you do.
It won’t hurt the plants to be in their cell packs or egg cartons for a bit longer indoors.
Discussion: Do you have any advice or ideas to share with those considering growing their garden?
Thanks for reading,
Mr. CBB
I started some seeds this week, I need to get a heat mat or heating pad to help them along.
Last year I tried starting pepper seeds and was so excited when many of them sprouted but sadly they died long before it was time to put them outside. Not sure what went wrong.
This year I’ve started peppers, tomatoes, zucchini and squash.
I’ve tried gardening several times over the past eight years without any real success, I’m hoping this year will be the year. 🙂
Last year I tried a pallet garden, an idea from Pinterest, it was a total flop! I’ve also tried container gardening without any success. I considered joining a community garden, and still haven’t ruled out that idea, but I would really prefer to have the garden in my own backyard. If I do the community garden it means making a trip into town every day to water and weed. The community garden costs $20 but they provide the water and the soil would be good. To garden in my own backyard I will need to buy a lot of soil, however if I can get plants to grow obviously over the long term this would be a better option.
Pam I hopeyou have better luck this year! The top of your fridge is a great place to place your seeds to get some bottom heat depending how many trays you have.
I have been saving egg cartons and plastic bags from the newspaper all winter for seeds.I have a metal plant stand with a plastic cover we got years ago to start seeds. I jury rigged a plant light for the one shelf and it’s plugged into a timer. I need to get some more seeds to really get going. I started some seeds for pink pampas grass my younger son got me last year for Mother’s Day. The pack said to start the seeds early so we thought we would go with early this year and they are almost an inch high!!!
I’ve tried saving seeds from last year and I will try planting those plus I have a pack of basil, salad greens, blue morning glory and some sweet peas. Last year I tried getting just a couple of plants for the garden. I got 2 older type tomatoes and one survived. Something bite the other one off at ground level. We got some tomatoes from the remaining one. I don’t have much room to work with so I got the plants as I only had room for so much. It worked for us. I have a number of hanging pots and would like to grow the flowers to put in those this year. Food for the soul……I’ll be checking out the seeds at CT to see what goodies they have I can try……
Thanks for this great tip! I have lots of flowers in our front yard, I have different kinds of flowers and different colors. I also have vegetables like tomatoes, chili and lemon.
Thanks for some resourceful tips, I may just be able to put them to use next year. I started most of my seeds about a week ago, just have a couple of packs left to plant. I have had a mixed bag of luck over the years with starting them and about every other year I buy the plants from gardeners or get stuff handed on to me. Thought this might be my year and I so want to cut costs. I did buy most of my seeds at the dollar store. We’ve got a couple, one store is looking for 3/$1.00 and the other is 4/$1.25. All great deals when Giant Tiger alone is looking for 50cents per pack of same brand. However, I did have to grab a couple of packs from Walmart as it was the only place in my city I could find acorn squash and butternut squash. So $1.89 each pack there and they are the last of my planting. I’m looking to expand my garden this year as my son is now really too big to play in our yard now and I am going to use more of it for food. I see some start up costs coming from that, but can’t wait as it’s loads of fun! Hoping for a better weather year overall, last year wasn’t so great. I’m already looking ahead to getting rid of slugs, we were overrun last year!
I am pleased to see you buy at least some seeds from Dollar Stores – I recognised the labels in you header photo!
It’s so tempting to buy into the big store displays with sometimes costly seeds, but sometimes it is worthwhile (for the taste buds) to try an unfamiliar or unusual variety.
I have tried plastic muffin ‘tins’ from the grocery for starting plants, with limited success. My thought was that the lids would reduce the moisture evaporation, but I think the lids can act as a lens to make a greenhouse with excessive temperatures for baby plants. I am going to try some of the other biodegradable pots you suggest.
Spring is Coming!