The Victory Gardner

Other veggies include:
*celery
*lettuce
*green onions
*carrot greens

I haven't tried many others, but I know these work well in a cup of water in a window seal.

#garden #gardening #windowsealgarden #growingfromstorebought

This onion sat in my fridge for, probably, a week, before I finished using it. It had grown roots, so I popped it into the dirt and in just a few days, had onion greens. This is a good example of store bought food you can grown from your waste. 1/2

#garden #gardening #sprouts

This is my very first time germinating apple trees. I've never been brave enough to try. 😅 This is my first, real, long term experiment with trees. There are what I have. I gave my dad my biggest one. You can see I'm going to lose 1 or 2, but I can buy apples and just keep going til I get it right.

I did! But I just folded the paper towel in half and again until it was about 2x2 inch square and put it in the fridge for (I think) 6 weeks to stratify. Tomato seeds should work without the cold, but most will germinate directly in the soil within 7-14 days if it is warm.

I was not expecting such a high germination rate for my #Californiapoppy seeds. Everything I've read says the roots don't like to be disturbed, so I put the paper towels in the dirt, and spritzer everything to dampen. Will it work? 🤷‍♀️
#gardening #garden #springtimeiscoming #seedstarting #sprouts

Unwrapped my baby broccoli, arugula, and lettuce. 😄 They're all legs and I'm ok with it for now. Well, not my arugula. They're the wee short ones on the bottom right.

#gardening #garden #sprouts #seedstarting #seedlings

And, finally, yes, that's an avocado pit. I've never tried to sprout one and Idk if it is going to work, but we will see, I suppose. I have also never tried to sprout lemon seeds, either, so if they don't work, I'll cope and try again next year. These are Meyer lemons.
#garden #gardening #sprouts

More apple and melon sprouts. My jalapeño and lemons haven't sprouted as of this photo.

The container is just another extra pot plate.

#garden #gardening #sprouts #seedlings #plantsofbluesky

Apple seeds. Had a couple of Granny Smith's that were seeded and, so, I planted them. Several germinated and are doing well.
#garden #gardening #sprouts #seedlings #plantsofbluesky

I have been remiss in my updates lately! I have taken tonnes of photos of my starts and started more!

1. Those three small sprouts are melon seeds. They are either cantaloupe or canary melon. Until they bloom, they are labeled 'random melon seeds'.

#garden #gardening #seedlings #sprouts

One would think, by this thread, that i hadn't been #gardening all of my life. 😅 I suppose we all have fits and starts when we're juggling home, work, pets, the fall of civilization as we know it, starting a #garden, and kids or elderly parents. It's why I never plant all my seeds at once. 5/5

A cellophane wrapped tray of dirt sits on a rack under a grow lamp. Popsicle sticks labeled red basil and green onion can be clearly seen. There is a branch of curly green leaves blurry in the foreground.

Two tiny seedlings protrue through the dirt in a black, cellophane topped container. The plastic is pulled back for the photograph. A popsicle stick hand labeled Garlic Chives is clearly seen.

This photo is crooked and also under the cellophane. There are several tiny seedlings seen protruding from the dark dirt. Four unlabeled popsicle sticks are seen.

In a day or 2 I'll unwrap the #seedlings probably for good and cross my fingers that I didn't fuck this batch up.😅I also #replanted chives/garlic chives in the black container as they'd not yet germinated. As of this morning, they did.4/5 #plantsofbluesky #plants

A plastic wrapped saucer holds 2 inch tall seedlings. A popsicle stick in the background reads arugula.

I remedied the mouldy cups by #transplanting the #seedlings and recycling the soil into flower pot saucer and black tray. I'd like to stress, this is my preference only. It need not be changed. I wrapped them in plastic wrap to hold humidity and will leave them under the light longer. 3/5

A paper seed cup with three seedlings is being held in the left hand of a human. There is water staining on the side, a white fungus, or mould.

A hand holds a paper seedlings cup with a patch of white mould on the bottom.

Another mistake I made, though not critical, overwatering. The mould/fungus on the cups is harmless and won't affect the seedlings, but it is an indicator of overwatering. For me, as it grows thicker, I can smell it.🤮 2/5 #garden #plantsofbluesky #garden #gardening

A black plastic tray with interior ridges holds a dozen paper seed cups of soil. Most of the cups hold long seedlings in the two-leaf stage while other seedlings are shorter.

TVG made a rookie mistake with these damned cups.😡You see all those leggy lettuce and broccoli babies?🤬Not enough light or humidity. I'm pretty mad at myself because I knew better. I ended up just re-planting in a tray of dirt and giving them more time under the sunlamp. 🧵/5 #garden #plantsofbluesky

If purchasing anything I listed isn't in your budget, sometimes you can ask for things like that on www.freecycle.org and those who have too much will share. Some communities also have seed exchanges that might make seeds available. Your local extension office and/or library can help. End 🧵8/8

I give my seeds a little spritz of water after planting, but if you don't have a clean spray bottle, you can wet your hand and let the drops fall from your fingers like tiny raindrops. 7/8

If you're using a tray vs. cups, a fork or butter knife, popcicle stick, chopstick, etc. is perfect for making a shallow row to drop the #seeds in. For cups, I usually use my finger to make a small hole. Once in the dirt, cover up the seeds. 6/8

For small seeds, I pour a few on a plate/saucer. I admit that I lick my finger to get them to stick to it and then gently roll them around until they drop in the dirt. (This may be a sensory nightmare, I get it.) You can also just tap the little seed pack until a few drop out and then repeat. 5/8

From there, it's #planting your seeds. If you have trouble with manual dexterity, then it may be more difficult to handle seeds radish seeds, which are tiny. Dexterity issues are another reason to use trays vs cups if you choose. I have diminished dexterity, as well. 4/8

Next, containers and dirt. I use peat disks (these need to be soaked), paper cups (same as egg cartons), and potting soil from last year. It should be damp but not soaked. A small bag from dollar store will do, or even dig your own. Make sure the soil is dark brown/black and loose. 3/8

A more economical alternative would be disposable aluminum baking trays, they're about $1ea, give/take. (This is about eating. Wash them for next year.) If you have it or can get it, the best alternative is paper egg cartons, like the three doz flats or 18ct cartons. 2/8

#Gardening tips: Basic #seedstarting. I don't use warming mats or seed-starting mix. My process is simple. This year, I bought two large plastic trays at [evil corporate box store with the blue and yellow logo]. If it's what you got, it's what you got. I'm forced to shop there, too.🧵1/8

Anyone who wants to learn to grow their food in the US should know their plant hardiness zone. This will let you know the optimum times for planting seeds and young plants. (Link last updated 2023) #garden #gardening #plants #growingyourownfood

planthardiness.ars.usda.gov

SNAP benefits, what can you buy with them? Please give me a follow if you want to know more about gardening for yourself, your family, or even a small community. When we all eat, we all win. (Updated Nov'23, so, you know...) #SNAP #gardening #growingfood #garden
www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligibl...