Rubbermaid Container Garden

This is my "recipe" for a Container Garden using Rubbermaid containers. It is a cheap and effective way to garden, and is very easy to get together.

First, decide what plants you would like to grow and the amount of space you will need. Consider the region you are in, the space available, and monetary investment. Google is good for gathering information, as well as your local Extension Office for answering any questions you may have. Once you've decided, purchase the necessary Rubbermaid containers. Luckily, there are plenty of color and size choices out there. Do remember to try and avoid see-through containers though, as algae can grow there.

Second, prepare your containers. Drill 3/4" holes in the bottom and around the bottom sides of the container. You can use the lid, placed up-side-down, as a good drainage catcher, but make sure you have something to lift the container up off the lid so that air can get underneath, and so that the excess water will actually drain. I used deck banisters cut in half. I used a few pieces per container, placed them on top of the up-side-down lid, and then placed the containers on top of that. I was also mindful of where the drilled holes were in relation to the banisters and tried to make sure that none of the holes were blocked.

Third, start filling. I used marble chips in the bottom of the container to fill up some space, and also to allow for more draining. They are relatively inexpensive, and cheaper than the potting soil, so I filled them up about 1/3 of the way. Next, I used Miracle Gro Potting Mix. I filled up the container the majority of the way to the top (roughly 3-4 inches from the top) with the potting soil. If you are growing tomatoes, you should also mix in some peat moss. This will aid in the acidity of the soil, and will also make it light and fluffy.
 

Fourth, start planting. At this point, you are ready to plant. Make sure you provide each plant with enough space to grow, and support where needed. Tomato cages are a wonderful thing, as well as trellises. What kind of support you will will depend on what you are planting. To plant, I create a small valley with my fist... wide enough to allow the plant to go down, and deep enough to go to the base of the plant. You will want to make sure that the top of the soil in the plant pot is below the level of the soil. Crush roots very gently, place into the hole, and then cover with soil. Make sure none of the leaves are touching the soil - this promotes disease. And if they are, feel free to pinch them off.

After I finished planting, I added a layer of mulch on top of the soil. This helps retain water and also protects the soil... and it also looks good. :)

And there you have a container garden.
Remember to water well and watch them closely.
Oh, and talk to your plants - it makes them happy!

Royal Wedding

Today, we watched the Royal Wedding, and as a result I've wanted nothing more than to be surrounded by fancy and pretty things all day long.  It was amazing!  Fabulous!  Opulent!

And I really enjoyed it!  I know there are people out there who were over it before it started, and could care less about it.  They didn't understand the crowds of people standing at the palace, the followers, the general havoc and happiness of the scene... but they sound a little bitter, if you ask me.  How can you look at this occasion, and not feel happiness??

You can feel the love radiating in the streets, and across the oceans!  I personally delighted in the fact that I could watch coverage on a plethora of channel choices.  The whole day, the buzz has been about the wedding, the dress, the hats... any and every little detail.  I really liked her wedding dress!  I was surprised by the lace, but I think that she looked gorgeous.  It was neat watching her arrive in the car, after traveling through the streets of people there to celebrate.  I was also surprised by the fact that there was only one "Maid" and one "Man", aside from the little girls and boys.  But it worked.  The whole thing worked actually.  I don't think there was anything about this wedding that wasn't amazing.  And it was a joy to be able to watch it and have that moment with my Mom!  That made it extra special!

It just makes me happy!
And to the happy couple: Congrats!  Thanks for letting the world share your day!

And now, pretty flower pictures...

Moth

Bee to the blossom,

moth to the flame;

Each to his passion;

what's in a name?

- Helen Hunt Jackson

severe weather

I'm just ::slightly:: distracted by Glenn Burns and the Severe Weather Team on Channel 2.  Tonight, I came to the conclusion that Spring has got to be the most exciting time at any sort of weather center (relatively speaking and depending on your location).  For us, the threats of tornadoes and thunderstorms rule the day.  And tonight, it looks like it's going to be a doozy.  They're talking fatalities in other states, hail, BTI indexes, tornadoes, lightning, and PDS.

What's a PDS you ask?
It's a "Potentially Dangerous Situation" and they are so serious that they are very rarely issued - which makes me wonder about the whole "potentially" part.  Maybe it should be a DDS... a "definitely dangerous situation".  Anywho, I believe the whole of North Georgia is under this PDS as well as the various sundries of watches and warnings.

I don't think sleep is going to come easy tonight.  If it does, I have a feeling it is going to be on the sofa, in front of the tv, awkwardly contorting around the already-sleeping-husband who is himself awkwardly contorted half on the sofa, and half off.  Whatev.

Prayers for everyone who is in the path of the storm!

Random picture for the post, but a picture nonetheless.  :)

Day 103

Sunsets.  ::heart::

Sometimes...

... bumps happen.  They come out of nowhere, and gently jolt your world.  So much in fact that what you were doing or looking at, doesn't seem to resemble anything that you had started with.  It messes things up, shakes it up a bit, and then leaves them like that - barely even trying to put things back the way they found it.



And you can either erase the image and try again, or embrace it...

See the bump as an event that "happened" and not one that will define a "happening".

It's just a bump in the road... not the end of it.

This is supposed to be a picture of a plantation house.  Well, it is a picture... it's just blurry and cross-hatched and such.  If you stand back far enough, squint your eyes, and use a little bit of imagination, you may just be able to see it!  :)

Easter Blessings

Today is Easter!

Gary and I went to the sunrise service at Kennesaw Mountain, and it was truly beautiful!  The message was simple, the music was nostalgic (and some of my favorites), and the weather was amazing!  I love watching sunrises (!), but watching one come over a dewy valley, in front of a sleepy mountain, was an amazing sight!  I love the way the shadows are elongated, and contrast with the green grass.  I love the brightness of the sun, against the blue sky, with the curves and undulations of the valley and trees all around.  One of my favorite pictures definitely! 

Easter has such an intense presence this year!  With all of the sadness and pain around, Easter is a strong reminder of faith and reassurance.  We sang the song "Because He Lives" today at the service, and the words resonated so strongly.  It is such a pretty song, and it reminds me of sitting around the piano at Thanksgiving with my family, singing old-time gospel hymns.  Anyways, this song reminds you to have faith and not worry.  Because of Him, life is worth living, without fear.

"Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.

Because He lives, all fear is gone.

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living, just because He lives."

Another blessing is my mom.  She is doing so much better!  She is in her own room, eating, laughing, and healing!  I've really enjoyed all of the time we've spent together lately, and it's been special being able to be there for her.  She told me today that she was so proud of the woman I have become.  It brought tears to my eyes, but she was also crying so what could I do?  She said that she could see traces of her mom, and my other grandma in me, and that I was going to make an amazing mother one day - that all of the little things that I do, and all of the ways that I "play" with Gary, my sister, and her are special.  Thinking about it though, I feel like so many of the things she mentioned, I learned from her.  I need to make sure I tell her that.  But it made me so happy that she told me that!  It gets me choked up now even. 
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After that, we went to check on the garden.  Everything is looking amazing!  They are thriving, and I think that the whole container-garden-thing is really going to be good for us!  The tomatoes are growing so big, and fast!  I need to get a few more cages, and get them set before it gets too out of control.  The squash are preparing to take over... the leaves are getting huge, and they are spreading like wildfire.  I'm glad that I put a trellis between them and the cherry tomatoes.  The romaine lettuce is looking healthy and happy, and the herbs are thriving!  All is all, I'm super happy with everything!  Oh, and there's even some blooms coming in!  On one of the cherry tomato plants, and in the middle of the squash plants.  I'm surprised that they are already starting to bloom, but oh-so-happy!  That means there will be little baby tomatoes and squashes soon!  :)   



 

  

Squash and Cherry Tomatoes



 

Big Boy (back), SunGold (left), Cherokee Purple (right)



Mr. Stripey (back) and Romaine Lettuce