This year I decided to grow a garden. I’m not really sure why, it just felt like the thing to do. I spent some time fumbling with what to use from cardboard boxes to plastic pots in various sizes to terra cotta to peat and finally wound up with a 4′x8′x1′ raised bed made from 1×4′s and some junk wood from the cut bin.

Let’s go back to the beginning. I started all but one of my current plants from seed. I didn’t expect it to work, it never had before. Lo and behold, I made plants! Well, I can grow a baby, so of course I can grow a plant. Shhh, it’s actually easier to grow a baby!

Let’s also skip my early attempts. I planted in paper Dixie cups, figuring once I had a great rootball I could put the cups in my compost bin (which I’ve had for a couple of years now). I got two full cycles out of those cups, and they did make it into my bin, but newspaper cups? Way easier. I promise.

First, gather your supplies. You’ll need an empty soda or juice can (or a juice cup about the same size, the key here is for it to be a perfect cylinder, not angled!), some old newspaper, planting soil*, seeds, and a low-sided box OR a low-sided plastic bin (see photos), both large enough to hold however may pots you are making.

*A note on your soil: if it feels too heavy for the size of the bag, it’s probably top soil and not good for planting. If it feels light, too light for the size of the bag, it’s probably perfect. [Read more...]