Eightymillion

A DIY craft and photography blog. Dogs included.

DIY Garden Inspiration Tips & Ideas (Spring 2015)

Our vegetable garden is planted and it’s thriving on all the rain we’re getting here in the Midwest. Usually the seeds and starter plants go in the ground on Mother’s Day, but this year we were able to plant a few days earlier, on the 8th of May.  My boyfriend and I love to recycle.  Last year we recycled two pallets for the leafy vegetables and they worked so well that we’re using them again this year.  The dog kennel we are using is still standing strong.  Read more here about how we came across that treasure and put it to good use.
For a more detailed “how to” tutorial using the pallets read back on last year’s post here.  They held up well over the Winter months.  They weren’t covered or moved during the off season.
This year we decided to go back to using the black fabric landscaping and garden pins for weed prevention. Using the newspaper and straw worked well, but it made for a lot of clean up at the end of the season.  If you prefer the straw method here’s how we applied it last year.
So, what did we plant?  Collard greens, mesclun (greens mixture), baby spinach, kale, green onions, green peppers, banana peppers, jalapeno peppers, grape tomatoes, mountain fresh tomatoes, and watermelon.
Now, let’s get started.  Enjoy the post and I hope it inspires you to plant one of your own.
Along with the seeds and starter plants we always mix some miracle grow in when they first go in the ground (and pallets).  Just to give the dirt a little boost.
Five days after planting the vegetable seeds, they popped right up!  Notice the pallet with the kale and green onions.  Place your taller vegetables in the smaller slot and save the leafy vegetables for the larger section.
The cages were placed around the plants right away.  Once your vegetables start to grow they may need a little additional support.  Read here for additional tips in that area.
Red bricks were lined along the side of the garden that faces the yard.  They work nicely as a stepping stone when entering the garden and they prevent the dogs from reaching in and grabbing any of the fabric material.  Bonus, they look nice.
As you can see from the image above everything is doing well.  This photo was taken on the 27th of May.  A little over two weeks from when we first planted it.
More garden updates are coming along with some additional tips.
The dogs did quite well during this whole process.  Usually they try to get inside the garden and grab a plant or two and run with it.  A fresh bone will distract them for hours.
So, what’s in your garden?

Gardening Tips & Ideas: Part 2 of 2

On last week’s garden post, I shared a few tips and ideas that were used with this year’s garden.  If you missed that post click here. I’m happy to report everything is doing awesome!  Please excuse the color variation from photo to photo.  They were captured with different cameras throughout the days of documenting the garden’s progress.
Patiently waiting for crops.
Once the plants started to grow, cages were placed around them.  As you can see the tomato plant on the left has a stick in the center of it.  It was growing way to big for a cage, but needed some additional support. Actually, it was an old broom stick I had in the garage that wasn’t being used. (recycling tip)
After the cages are in place keep an eye on the plants.  You’ll want to make sure as it grows to keep the leaves on the outside of the cage.
The tomato plant continues to grow.  As you can see in this photo the first support stick is invisible, so a second one was positioned according to what branches were the heaviest.  Then I cut up a t-shirt (recycling tip) into strips to be used as a rope.  You want to use a cotton t-shirt that way it’s soft against the stems.  A robe may cause it to break.
Keep an eye on the straw in the garden.  If the newspaper starts to show through, add another layer. The birds are having a blast stealing pieces to build their nests with.  I don’t mind sharing with the condition that they stay away from the vegetables.
This has been the biggest tomato plant ever.  Perhaps it’s because I opted not to place a cage around it. The photo shows another support stick, but at present time there are three sticks supporting its branches.  Lots of tomatoes!
My favorite part of the garden is the recycled pallets.  The leafy vegetables are doing well in them. Snipping off what I want and more comes in right away.
The collard greens have their own section in the garden.  Adding the strip of straw down the center has proven successful.  No weeds anywhere!  And it makes a nice walkway in between the plants.
Have you ever harvested green peppers?  It’s super easy.  Click here for the details.
I captured this photo a couple of days ago and shared it on my Instagram account.  They smell as good as they look.
So, I ask you.  What’s in your garden?

Gardening Tips & Ideas: Part 1 of 2

This year we planted the garden on Memorial Day.  Why so late you ask?  First, it was the only day my boyfriend (Adam) and I had off together.  And second, it was the first day of the season that Mother Nature decided to give us nice weather.
Adam did a lot of research into different techniques that could be used in the garden.  He usually tills the garden by hand with only a shovel.  Last year we borrowed my Uncle’s rotary tiller.  This year we chose not to do either.  Keep reading.
We spent Memorial Day weekend pulling out all the weeds that have accumulated since last year’s garden.
Now it was time for a quick road trip.  I won a contest ($50. gift card to Home Depot) that was hosted by LA’s How2Girl, in which I was to submit my favorite DIY projects for the garden. A couple weeks later, my prize was in the mailbox.  They don’t have a location here in town, so the closest one is in Cedar Rapids. Well worth the trip.
Everything on our list was on sale.  Perennials for $2.50, vegetable starter plants for $3.33, seed packets for $1.50.  We always do a mix of starter plants and seeds for our garden.
We filled up two carts, loaded the truck, and headed home to get started.
First we positioned the plants in the garden.  Then brought in two pallets.  I had seen several ideas on Pinterest and wanted to try it myself.  I hate weeds and refuse to use chemicals in the garden, so this was one way to control them.  Refer to this article when looking for pallets to use.
Using the leftover fabric landscaping from last year, we cut enough to cover the bottom of the pallet to secure the dirt inside. Leave extra fabric along the edges to staple up the sides.
Depending on the construction of the pallet you may use less fabric to secure the sides.
Using a staple gun, Adam secured the fabric to the pallet.
We put the starter plants in first, mixing the dirt with some miracle grow.
All of our leafy vegetables are planted as seeds.
Funny story.  We recycled a dog kennel that my neighbor gifted us to keep the dogs out of the kennel.  It works!  They enjoyed watching from the other side.
I filled the pallets with dirt and then planted one with leafy vegetables and the other with herbs.
The cilantro and basil were starters.  In between we planted garlic chives and green onions (seeds).
Using a sharpie I marked what was in each row.
Next, using a Rubbermaid tub filled halfway with water, we dipped the newspaper in, enough to dampen it, and then placed it all around the plants.  Skip the sale ads, that paper is to glossy.  Instead of cutting holes in the paper it was easier to just rotate the paper around the plants.  Your goal is cover all of the exposed dirt.  Read more here about newspaper weed control.  We did three layers of paper.
After the newspaper was in place we added a layer of straw.  And last watered the entire garden. That’s it! The garden is in.
I’ll be posting part two of this post to show how everything is turning out.  Including a couple more tips to help you out.

DIY Refrigerator Pickles

Here’s a recipe just in time for Spring.  It’s easy and inexpensive.  Have you ever made refrigerator pickles? I’ve come across different versions but this one is by far my favorite.  Pretty soon our local farmer’s markets will be offering all the fresh produce from the garden.  These pickles will make a great addition to your summer picnics and barbecues.  New neighbors?  Gift them a jar.
Supplies:

Quart mason jars with lids (3)
Large mixing bowl
Batter bowl
Pinch bowl
Colander
Cutting board
Knife
Whisk
Egg Timer
Ingredients:

5 cucumbers
1 large white onion
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup white vinegar
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. celery seed
1/2 tsp. mustard seed
Salt
Instructions:

Wash the cucumbers and slice.  Don’t peel them.  Slice up your onion.  In your large mixing bowl soak the cucumbers and onions in salt water for one hour. 
In your pinch bowl, mix together the garlic powder, celery seed, and mustard seed.  Set aside.  Whisk together the sugar and vinegar in the batter bowl.  Add the dry seasonings and mix together.
Drain the cucumbers and onions from the salt water and start packing them into your mason jars.  I left a little room at the top because you’ll be shaking them once everything is in the jar.  Pour the liquid mixture over the top until all is covered. Tighten the lid and shake until the sugar is well dissolved.  Do the same with the other jars until the cucumber mixture is gone.  I only used three mason jars for this batch, but depending on the size of your cucumbers you may use more/less. 
Store in refrigerator.  I was told to wait 24 hours before consuming, but that didn’t work.  I was snacking within the first hour. Vinegar based foods are my favorite.  My boyfriend has used them on hamburgers and hot dogs. They’re tasty on subs.  And you can chop a few up and toss with your salad.  Or just grab a fork and dig in!
This recipe was given to me from a friend.  I asked him for their shelf life and he laughed at me.  He said don’t worry, you’ll eat up them rather fast.  He was right. 
Enjoy!