Since I keep referencing them, I thought I’d show off the progress of my little babies.
In just a few weeks, they’ve gone from the photo above, to the photo below.
Makes me so happy!!
What I found so far is that they love sun, water, and coffee. [We have very similar preferences]
Yes, you read that correctly. My plants are coffee addicts.
My mom turned me onto it and they’ve shot up like little lightning bolts as a result. I take any leftover coffee and water it down and they just lap it up. I also put the coffee grounds in the soil about every 3-4th day.
I just spotted my first teeny tiny green tomato, so it seems like fresh fruit is in our future!
I’ve also heard that seaweed is great for the soil. So far, bugs don’t seem to be an issue. Fingers crossed.
Any natural gardening tips you want to share?
I am so jealous of your plants! I wish I could grow something, but I don’t have a deck/porch. I am scared if I put a planter outside of my apt building, people would either spit in it, put cigarettes out in it, or dogs would pee in it. I am all for organic, but that is a little too much for me… 😉 Yours seem to be thriving–yum!
Courtney
I can vouch for liquid seaweed fertilizer, that stuff is amazing!
I know you said that you haven’t had any issues with bugs, but if you ever do I suggest placing marigolds nearby as a deterrent. Just last month I was worried I might loose my tomato plants due to bugs(aphids), but once I planted marigolds along side of them everything was peachy keen.
Come to think of it, I believe basil is supposed to deter flies, so that may be helping you right now. Look up “companion planting” to see what else may help out your tomatoes.
Happy Growing!
Also…the best way to get rid of snails and slugs is to put a shallow dish (a jar lid works great) of leftover beer in your garden/ The snails and slugs are drawn to it, get drunk and … die.
I never would have considered coffee! I’m starting to grow my own herbs, so keep us updated on their progress! I do not have a green thumb, but I am hoping for success in the coming weeks.
I’ve never heard of putting coffee in plants! I love that!
Coffee?!! I’m so intrigued. I’m trying it.
Also, I’m so obsessed with garden. Nothing matches the pride I feel when I pull vegetables out of my own backyard and eat them. Maybe I should be a farmer.
Coffee is WONDERFUL for plants. I used to manage a coffee shop, and we had local farmers and gardeners lining up to collect our used coffee grounds.
I currently have some friends that own a coffee shop, and they give coffee grounds to a local garlic farmer, who in exchange gives them fresh garlic which they bake into their home-made bagels. Isn’t that an awesome cycle?
Farmers will frequently put up signs by the freeway offering free manure, and I’ve found that (once it dries and crumbles) it is excellent for produce, but my gerbera daisies *hate* it.
I was always afraid to plant from seeds, but a few weeks ago I planted a bunch of pumpkin, acorn squash, beet, and pea seeds, and every type has sprouted! It’s so awesome seeing the first little sprouts/leaves poking through the soil– It’s like, “Hi babies! Welcome to the world! I’m going to eat you some day!!!”
Keep us updated on your gardening progress and tips! I’m a new gardener, so I’d love to hear more about your progress!
I am just getting into gardening, so the coffee tip is much appreciated!
hah…caffiene addicted plants! i wish i had a green thumb! they look great!