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Home > I Can See A Sprout!!!

I Can See A Sprout!!!

March 30th, 2007 at 02:34 am

For the 2007 $20 challenge, I am using $20 for my first ever attempt at vegetable gardening.

Starting in Jan, I saved egg cartons and scrounged up some containers (including a no-longer-used trash can).

I bought some seeds, seed starting mix, and potting soil.

Last weekend I started 2 types of seeds inside, planting as many as I could in the egg cartons and the rest in a container with a bit of dirt: A packet of mixed basic herbs (parsley, basil, chives, and thyme) and a packet of "jelly bean hybrid tomatoes" (the grape-size ones). This evening, I saw the first sprout poking through the dirt! I know it's a silly thing to get excited about, but it's my first sprout ever, and I'm relieved that something is actually growing!

I have some rainbow chard seeds that I will plant outside in a container this weekend. I have only $1-plus-change left and I'll either buy a plant at one of the spring plant sales, or I may buy one more packet of seeds.

I've been extremely cautious in my seed selection, only buying ones that say on the packet that they are suitable for growing in containers. I know as I get more experienced with this gardening business I'll be brave enough to experiment, but not this year ... With only $20 to get my little garden growing, I can't afford a dud!

6 Responses to “I Can See A Sprout!!!”

  1. tinapbeana Says:
    1175220253

    what a great $20 challenge! i vote you keep track of what you harvest and tally up what it would have cost to buy the veggies throughout the summer... keeping my fingers crossed for your sprouts!

  2. contrary1 Says:
    1175224990

    What a great idea! I've never kept track of my costs for gardening here, as I know they are pretty darned low........especially when I can gather big bunches of fruits & veggies all season long.

    If you really want to cut costs for next year, be sure to save seeds! Pick your best specimens, remove the seeds, dry and save them for next year.....then you can garden with abandon at no cost! Can't beat that, unless it is a dinner table full of items you grew yourself! Totally yummy.

    Be sure to check out the sister site to SavingAdvice...........www.frugalgardening.com. (a shameless plug!!!)

  3. Ima saver Says:
    1175262780

    Good for you!

  4. Fern Says:
    1175281460

    sounds like fun....i'm planting some grass for my cat this weekend and maybe can find some old veggie seeds in the fridge;; maybe they'll still germinate.

  5. PauletteGoddard Says:
    1175295197

    Excellent! I'm going to try a vegetable garden in my backyard too this spring/summer.

  6. LuckyRobin Says:
    1175371146

    Oh, I'm jealous. I can't even plant until closer to the end of April, as we've been known to have hard frosts as late as the 15th. I do have little starts in my tabletop greenhouse though. They are fun to see poking through.

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