Use What You Have

As spring slowly transitions into summer, I am spending more time outside, working in the garden and on various projects around the homestead. All this time outdoors has awakened within me what I refer to as a "pioneer spirit" and as a result, I find myself trying to reuse and / or repurpose various items to suit my needs. 


So far, I've used sections of old wire fencing as a support structure for my weighty tomato plants and curling bean vines. I've recycled wooden slats from an old playpen and used them as plant markers, and I'm using an old fruit crate I found in the barn as a garden planter. Also, the borders of all my flower beds were created from old bricks and rocks found on the property, and I'm using grass clippings and decomposed leaves for mulch when needed. I also placed a broken terracotta pot on the end of an ugly drainage pipe.

Thus, a little goes a long way when you use what you have. 

Plant Pots

I had a preoccupation with flower pots in my early days as a gardener. Unfortunately, most of my purchases were based on my mood, my finances, and my decor, and had very little to do with the welfare of the plants I was attempting to grow.

Over the years, however, time and personal observation have collaborated to help me make better choices for my plants. Here are just a few things I have learned:

 >Plant Size - In my experience, when you buy a plant, the container that comes with it is just big enough to house the roots, which means it needs to be repotted. I liken choosing a suitable pot for a plant to choosing the right mixing bowl when making a cake. The bowl needs to be big enough to hold all of your ingredients and to allow for proper mixing. Otherwise, your cake batter will slosh out the sides, leaving you with less cake and more mess. Therefore, to allow the roots of your plant to rest comfortably and to promote overall growth, the size of your pot should be a little bit larger than your plant.

>Clay Pots versus Plastic Pots - A clay pot tends to retain more moisture than a plastic pot. Thus, if you are unable to water your plants on a routine basis, you may want to use clay pots. On the other hand, if you're fairly consistent with your watering practices, try a plastic container. You can even buy plastic pots that look like clay pots.

Also, take into consideration where you are going to put the plant. Even under the best circumstances, clay pots have a tendency to crack. Moreover, if they fall off of a porch or a ledge, they will probably break, whereas a plastic container is a little more durable.

>Drainage - Most plants need adequate water drainage in order to grow and flourish. Many pots come with preformed holes on the bottom to allow for drainage, and some of these pots also include built-in drip trays or saucers. If you purchase a pot with holes but no drip tray, you can usually find clear, plastic trays for a couple of dollars. I've also used plastic lids from butter containers, etc., as well as old saucers from my local thrift store. If you find a container you really want to use but it has no holes, flip it over and drill your own. Just make sure you are familiar with the type of material you are working with prior to drilling.


Pots can be ornamental, colorful vessels that brighten up your home or your front porch. But, if you want your plants to thrive, they must also be functional. 

Green Thumb

My grandmother had a green thumb unlike anyone I've ever met. She loved plants, and in addition to the big garden she put out each spring, she had numerous houseplants situated in various areas of her tiny home, which she cared for all year long.

When the weather was warm, however, she'd set up several shelves on the front porch and move many of her plants outside. The colorful pots and green leaves enhanced the normally dingy space, and allowed her to share her talent for growing plants with visitors and those passing through. Moreover, her green thumb left an impression on me I will never forget.

Nature Going On

In the way of wildlife, it's been an interesting few months around the homestead. After watching a small fox run to and fro on the property over the course of several days, I realized he (or she) is living under one of the outbuildings. Now, I'm not sure what happened to the groundhog that used to live under that same building, but I doubt they're both coexisting within the same hole.

Then, the other day, while looking out the kitchen window at the rain, I saw a deer walking around in the clearing behind the house. After circling the area for a minute or two, it gracefully laid down and extended its nose upward to sniff the moist air. Like a tourist at a theme park, I grabbed my phone and rushed outside to take a picture. However, due to my inability to focus my camera and jog in the rain at the same time, I ended up with few lackluster shots of the grass and wet shoes.

Also, I discovered a nest of baby field mice in the basement, three Garter snakes in various parts of the yard, a big snake climbing the trunk of a cedar tree, and during one of my morning runs, I was chased for at least three full seconds by a territorial robin.

While I am not a wildlife aficionado, I am smart enough to know that these occurrences are not unusual when living in the country. Moreover, I was raised to respect the outdoors, and to learn from it. And despite human interference, nature has a way of going on, of doing what it is supposed to do when it is supposed to do it. At best, I am a visitor in these parts, just passing through, and that's okay with me.