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Two Ways To Use Manure Tea In Your Container Garden

If you are using manure tea to amend the soil in your there are a couple of different ways that you can use it.

Directly in the reservoir container. If you made your self-watering containers with the pipe, you can pour the manure tea into the pipe as you would normally water. If you aren’t using the pipe, then you can remove the planting container and pour the manure tea directly into the reservoir container.

When you are done watering, sprinkle some of the manure tea on top of the planting container and allow the self-watering container to do it’s thing.

Pour on top of the soil. You could also use the manure tea by watering the container from the top like you would normally water. The tea will eventually filter it’s way down to the reservoir container where it will be stored.

Either one of these methods is fine to use. I’ve been using the manure tea about once a month.

Are there any other ways that you could apply the tea?

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How Mobile is the Stack N Grow Mobile Planter?

One of the questions that I’ve been getting a lot in the past week is just how mobile the Stack N Grow mobile planter is.

When it’s filled is it too hard to push? The short answer to that is – no. It’s on wheels and can easily be pushed around from spot to spot.

I actually had to move mine to the since the gutter is broken above my balcony, the rain water was pouring directly into it. It now sits in the front of my balcony garden.

You can easily move it around your space to follow the sun or to suit whatever needs that you have.

Don’t forget that today is the last day to buy the Stack N Grow at 20% off (expires end of day on March 1, 2011).

All you have to do is go to GardenSupermart.com to buy the Stack N Grow. When you put it into your Shopping Cart enter the coupon code UOG20 to get 20% off your purchase.

This offer expires today, so be sure to act now!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZvZRZhn9UA

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How to Set-Up a Stack and Grow Mobile Herb Planter

Since I’m running the contest for the Stack and Grow Mobile Herb Planter I thought I’d show you how to set it up.

The set-up was a bit mess for me and potting soil got all over, but overall it was pretty simple. Here’s how you set it up:

  • Check all of the planting trays. One of them has a closed center. If you want to grow smaller plants, then put that tray at the top. If you want to grow a small tree or shrub, put that tray towards the bottom.
  • Place the cart down on a solid surface.
  • Put the wheels into the holes. You’ll have to force them in slightly and twist them.
  • Place the first planting tray on the cart. Align the holes and press it into place.
  • Fill the trays with potting soil and the ring that’s within each tray.
  • If you are transplanting, then insert your transplants. If you are starting from seed, continue to add more trays.
  • Add the next planting tray so that the planting pocket is between the two below it. Fill with potting soil and repeat.
  • After you have your planting trays added and filled with you soil, you can begin to sow your seeds.

The seeds that I decided to plant from bottom to top are:

  • Marigolds
  • Calendula
  • Parsley
  • Cilantro
  • Leaf lettuce in the top middle

The flowers are supposed to grow larger, which is why that I put them on the bottom. I also hope that these flowers are shallow rooted enough.

Don’t forget to enter for your chance to win a Stack and Grow Mobile Herb Planter from Algreen Products. All you have to do is check out this post and leave a comment. Best of luck.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29M2GTA-5u4

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Update on the Indoor Mushroom Garden: One Week Later

It’s been a week since I’ve started my indoor mushroom garden. Per the instructions, I’ve been misting the bag two times a day.

I was starting to get a bit skeptical, but after the eighth day I started to see some growth bursting out the front of the bag. At this point it almost looks like a piece of cauliflower.

On the side of the box, it says that you can harvest your first mushroom as early as 10 days, so I’m not too far off.

This seems like a good way to not only grown some of your own food, but also a good option for those that have limited space. Mine are sitting on my kitchen table in the indirect sunlight.

Get 20% off a mushroom garden kit: Offer expires today
Today is your last day to get 20% off when you buy a mushroom garden kit from Back to the Roots Ventures. All you have to do is visit Back to the Roots Ventures and enter promo code UG202011 when checking out and you will get 20% off your purchase. This offer expires at 11:59pm PST tonight.

If you click on any of the links above and make a purchase, I will be getting a portion of the money. If that doesn’t sit well with you, here is a straight link to Back to the Roots Ventures that you can use.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgWvZA_V7Vk

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Vegetable Garden Soil Amendments: Compost or Manure Tea

It’s been almost two months since I started to test the soil amendments in my container garden.

I was testing using manure tea versus using regular compost. I had two cucumber plants that I had started from seeds.

In looking at the two containers, it’s hard to make a definitive statement on which works better. If you were just to look at the containers, you’d think that the regular compost was performing better since it’s a larger plant and has more flowers.

If you were to take a closer look at the plants, you might think otherwise. The plant that just had compost in it was a bit larger to start with, so it had a headstart. When I lifted the planting container from the reservoir container, I noticed something very interesting.

The container that I was putting the manure tea in had much deeper roots. The roots were coming through the drainage holes in the planting container. They were hanging at least a foot out of the container. The roots of the larger plant barely had any roots growing out of the bottom of the container.

This makes me believe that if the plants were in the ground that the container with the manure tea would be doing much better. Since it’s in a container it is restricted and can’t grow as well.

I’m not sure if this is coincidence or if the longer roots are due to the manure tea. So at this point, I don’t have a definitive answer as to which vegetable garden soil amendments work best, especially in a container garden.

What are your thoughts?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6jo4-wc7ak

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Testing Soil Amendments: Manure Tea vs Compost

Now that I’ve remembered to amend the soil in my container garden, I’m going to be running a side-by-side test of soil amendments.

Here is the test that I’m going to run. I have two cucumber containers on my balcony garden. In one of them, I have amended the soil with straight compost. The other container I have watered with the cow manure tea that I brewed up.

The plant that I used the cow manure tea already started out slightly smaller than the other, but I want to test and see if the manure tea help to promote better growth.

I’ll monitor progress and report back in a few weeks. Which do you think will yield better results?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRvZ_KKVKlY

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How to Make Cow Manure Tea

I am making cow manure tea to use as a soil amendment in my container garden.

I’m brewing cow manure tea from Authentic Haven Brand.

The brewing process will take 1-3 days to complete. You’ll need the following:

  • One five-gallon container filled with water
  • Bag of cow manure tea bag
  • Towel or cloth to keep the bugs out

You just need to drop the tea bag into the bucket of water and let it steep for 1-3 days until it looks golden brown. Put a cloth over the top of it if you are keeping it outside to keep the bugs out.

For more complete instructions on how to make manure tea check out ManureTea.com.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEqI2VL8w3o

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Don’t Forget to Amend the Soil in Your Container Garden

One of the mistakes that I made last year was not feeding my plants and amending the soil in my container garden.

When you first plant the potting soil that you use should likely have all the compost, nutrients and minerals for the plant to initially survive, but over time the plant will use these up and they will deplete.

If you were growing in the ground, the soil would likely take care of itself with the worms and everything that’s going on underground.

I was a having a discussion with someone the other day about this and it makes perfect sense why you would have to amend the soil in your container garden. The reason is because it’s contained…hence the name container. Nothing is added to it unless you add it.

In my online networking on Twitter (@CanarsieBK), I connected with a company Authentic Haven Brand Products (Twitter: @GreenSoil) that provide soil amendments in the form of cow and horse manure tea. Sounds great with some breakfast.

Cow and horse manure might sound nasty to put in your garden, but it makes sense. What happened before garbage got picked up? Cows and horses crapped on the dirt roads and it got buried under the soil. It’s natural.

While speaking with Annie, I learned more about the company and her product. AHaven has been a small family owned business since the 1920 and all of the animals are allowed to roam free and are treated humanely (for an animal). This is the kind of company that I can support.

I got me some cow manure tea that I am going to brew up and use on some of the plants. Some benefits of it are that it’s quick releasing and it won’t burn your plants. Read up on some more benefits of using manure tea in your garden.

I’ll be running some experiments on plants using the cow manure tea, vermicompost and whatever else I can get my hands on. You’ll have to stay tuned to see the results.

Most importantly – Don’t forget to amend the soil in your garden and feed your plants!

What do you use to amend the soil in your garden?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drjXz7RppKE

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“Grocery Gardening” Book Review

I’m not really into gardening books because in my opinion most are boring and don’t hold my interest. This made me a bit hesitant to read Grocery Gardening by Jean Ann Van Krevelen (@JeanAnnVK) since she is a friend of mine.

My beef with most gardening books is that they are usually written for people that are already into gardening and over the heads of people who are mildly interested. This book is written for someone who is curious about growing their own food or seeking out fresh locally grown sources.

You aren’t going to walk away from this book with detailed instructions of what to do, which is what I like about it. It doesn’t scare you away with all of the intricate details. Grocery Gardening provides high level information about planning, mulching, identifying pests in your garden and more.

Once you know what you’re interested in, you’ll have to seek more detailed information on it. My favorite part of the book, besides my fire escape garden being featured on page 20, is the breakdown of each edible.

For each herb and vegetable basic information is given on how to plant, grow, varieties of, seeking out the next best choices if you aren’t growing your own and how to preserve. Common pests and diseases for each herb and veggie are provided, which you can then reference back to the beginning of the book as to how to control.

Since it’s food that you’re growing, recipes are included to give you ideas of how to prepare the food once it’s been harvested.

If you are curious about growing your own food and looking for a book to read, Grocery Gardening is one that I’d recommend. It’s a simple read and will help to get you started on growing your own food.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg3U-a7WCCs

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Introducing My OpenSky Store

I’m going to start selling organic gardening supplies through a company called OpenSky.

Why would I start a gardening supply store since most of the projects that I do are DIY projects? Yes, I make my own self-watering containers, hanging planters using soda bottles and even my own compost bin.

Not everyone is into making their own, and I’m cool with that. Lately people have been asking me about products and what I’d recommend. I haven’t had any recommendations because I haven’t used any products. This will enable me to be able to suggest products for those who aren’t down with building their own.

OpenSky is the backend service that powers my store and contain the products that I’m selling. They are handling the shipping, processing and sourcing of the products.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to start pimping product and turning the site into an infomercial. I’ll still do my DIY projects, but will also be able to offer an alternative for those who are seeking one.

I’ll be doing reviews, instructional how tos and give my honest thoughts on whatever the product may be.

Having this gardening supply store will help to add another dimension to the site and allow me to answer more of your questions.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be opening up my store and adding products. If there are any products that you’ve been interested in, hit me up to let me know and I’ll see if I can get my hands on them.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqSpBlw0ELI