First Step: Container Gardening

We’re going to do this, you and me. We are going to start our container garden – no excuses, no “I’ve got a black thumb”, no “I don’t have time” or “I don’t know what to do first!”. I wouldn’t say I have a black thumb, but it is certainly not green. I’m the animal person, and Mike is the plant-guy. So if I can do it, you can. And you see that picture? That’s my arugula container garden from last year. It did so well, we nearly drowned in spicy, delicious arugula. Don’t you want that? OK, here’s the first step.

Are you at home now? At work? If you spend more time at work, and you have a flexible work environment, then consider growing your veggies at work. You’ll be able to enjoy the view more, and maybe inspire a few other people to join in! (Plus, if you travel a lot, it’ll be easier to find someone to water your low maintenance veggies at work….especially if it’s when they are producing!)

So. Look around. What do you see? Lots of light? Not much at all?

Do you find yourself squinting from the glare in certain areas of your home or work? Where are the warmest spots, coolest areas? Don’t stress about it, just let your mind wander and explore your living/work space. Don’t you even DARE start thinking about WHAT you’re going to grow…we’re not there, yet. Just look at sun and shade.

Is there a spot that screams out for some greenery?

This is what caught MY eye.

We have a REALLY bright window in our kitchen, that I would love to grow some herb friends on….but the windowsill is too shallow, and the shelf underneath already is home to a Kitchenaid mixer, and assorted other kitchen goodies. And, and, and, it just isn’t easy! …Hmmm….

I kept looking around the yurt, but grrr, that window just calls out for kitchen greens. So, let’s think creatively here.

My first google search for “window garden” led me to a whole host of articles on DIY hydroponic (“a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil”) systems. Sorry guys, a bit too intense for this girl. So I kept looking….for something a little more traditional…you know……….like a shelf, and some pots??

Ahhh HA, here it is! How to Design a Window Garden

Still not exactly what I’m thinking in terms of visual (don’t you think the vines are a tad bit cluttered looking?), but certainly better than the hydroponics. I do like that he brings in the idea of using that window all year long for different plants. But, you say, he isn’t growing vegetables OR herbs! True enough, but we’re not thinking about plants yet, we’re just looking at placement. We’ll get to the plants once you’ve found that perfect spot.

So I changed up my search slightly and went to Google Images…and searched “window garden for herbs” and whala, instant inspiration.

Hmmm…OK, OK, so not technically inspiration for a window garden (and this is how Google Images, or Pinterest can totally divert your energy!), but a possible side project for the kitchen wall or perhaps just the IDEA for the window garden. Anyhow. I have an internal visual, I think, of what I’m going to do.

So now it’s your turn. Don’t get discouraged by price, or lack of space. Be creative.

Here’s proof that you don’t need fancy glass window shelves, or expensive pots for your container garden.

Need more? Check out this post about people utilizing really small spaces, and creative planting materials: Small Space Gardening

REMEMBER — DON’T stress over which plants you’re going to plant…that will just get you all overwhelmed, and overexcited…leading to….zip, zilch! We’ll do this together, one step at a time.

Keep an eye out for OUR NEXT STEP ON THURSDAY!!!

And I’ll also be showing you how to plan an event on Facebook, so you can get your friends involved in this whole container planting thing with a Planting Party! (Super fun, I did this when I lived in NYC, and it made the whole thing a lot less stressful, and I had instant plant sitters when I left town, since we all had a personal connection to each others plants!)

And, please share your inspirational photos on our Facebook page…I’d love to see what fun stuff you’re finding.