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.

Whining and Watering

Ever have a task you grow weary of doing, but you do it anyway for the simple reason it needs to be done?  Of all the things I do when I work outside, watering is my least favorite. Now, I don't usually complain when I work in the garden. To be sure, grumbling is counterproductive to the peace that I covet while being outdoors. Every now and then, however, a deep sigh escapes me when it comes time to water everything I have planted.

Why so whiny you ask? Don't you have the modern conveniences required to water your garden? Yes, I do. In fact, I have a couple of water hoses, several outdoor faucets to attach them to, and a watering can with an impressive spout that I use when I need to water by hand. Moreover, I'm healthy and able to use these items without difficulty. I also pay my monthly utility bill on time, so no worries there.

If I had to venture a guess as to why the thought of watering tends to overwhelm me at times, I'd say it is because each year, I attempt to grow and harvest more than I did the year before. And producing more fruits, vegetables, and herbs for my family can be a daunting assignment. That being said, doing so makes me extremely happy. Thus, I continue to water. 

The Act of Planting

It has been a busy month around the homestead. May has found me happily working in the garden as often as possible, sowing squash, beet, and carrot seeds, staking tomato plants, and hoeing weeds. Additionally, I've tilled several sunny barren spots behind the house and set a variety of bulbs. I've also seeded a decent sized flower garden, transplanted a handful of droopy radish stalks, and stuck a fair amount of petunias in the ground. And, at the risk of sounding boastful, my herbs are thriving, and my marigolds are looking pretty snazzy. Consequently, it won't be long before I can cheerfully bypass the vegetable aisle at the grocery store.

While many of you have planted more than I have, and some may have planted less, the important thing to remember is that as gardeners, we have engaged in the act of planting. Thereby, we have taken another step toward our goal of being self-sufficient individuals in a big-box world. 

Play Clothes and Memories

Have you ever opened your closet door, or pulled out a dresser drawer and asked yourself, "where did all of this stuff come from?" If you are like me, you probably have an assortment of clothes, belts, and shoes that you've purchased over the years for different occasions. I have business clothes for work, and workout duds that whisk sweat away when I run. A few provocative pieces are buried in my bureau underneath a heap of T-shirts and socks, and in my closet, sandwiched in between my jeans and jackets, are several dresses. If you add in the holiday attire, as well as my scarves, gloves, and hats, I have a wardrobe fit for a queen of a small country, or at best, a prime minister.

My favorite clothes, however, are the ones I wear while working in my garden. I call these my "play clothes" because they are reminiscent of what I used to wear outside when I was a kid. In fact, many of the best memories from my formative years, such as learning to ride a bike, climbing trees with my Dad, looking for fossils with my grandmother, and building snow forts with my friends, were created while wearing play clothes. And today, each time I put them on and commence working in my garden, that same youthful spirit I possessed during my childhood returns. Thus, I am reminded that anything is possible.