I tried composting several ways over the years and never found a method that really worked for me until last year. This method is cheap and easy to setup and easy to maintain, and it’s important to start this time of year when you can still get a good supply of leaves. First I got a roll of about 20 ft of 2 or 3 ft wide plastic mesh fencing. I arranged 3 Tposts in a triangle and wrapped 1/2 of the mesh fencing around it and secured it with zip ties to make a rough triangle/circle. Fill this with dried leaves (if you can mow over them first, even better). This will be your ready supply of carbon matter, “browns”, for the season. When it gets full, add the other half of the plastic fencing to create a second layer. For the actual compost bin, buy a 10’ x 3’ roll of 1/4” metal hardware cloth. Form this into a cylinder next to the leaf bin and secure with more zip ties. Start dumping your kitchen or garden waste into the metal cylinder and each time you do cover the kitchen waste ( the “greens”) with a couple handfuls of leaves. I keep a good size bin without a lid in my kitchen freezer to collect my kitchen waste and bring it out to the compost to dump when it’s full. You can create a third metal cylinder to hold the finished or resting compost once the bin gets full, or you can just turn it out into a pile. When it’s time to use the compost or turn it, just clip the zip ties and remove the hardware cloth to allow full access.
I would add two. Number one, if you are purchasing plants, buy the smaller size. Number two, I have found plants grown on-site at independent garden centers fare better, oftentimes, than plants trucked in from other locations.. Thanks for sharing all these great tips!
I always want to go up to people at the big box stores when they have plants in their carts that I know won’t hold up here., and tell them not to get them. Is that bad?
Love your tips! I would add that a source of free seeds is a seed library. While every library doesn’t have this, check with your local library to see if they do. Our garden club started one at our local library and it’s restocked regularly.
I save party cups from the holidays. Drill holes and use those for up potting my seedlings. I live in the PNW where we can be tormented by moles. But I've learned to use their mounds to my advantage and always save that soil that comes from deep in the ground is full of nematodes. Works great for containers or seedlings. I also have learned that dividing my perennials and repeating them in the garden makes it cohesive and mature looking. Essentially free plants!!!
I use small (6-8 oz.) clearish plastic cups that I put holes in the bottom to plant up my seedlings. This allows me to see the root development and helps prevent me from over watering. Dollar Tree has metal trash cans that work great as plant cloches. If they only have white, you can always spray them black or any other color you want in your garden. Although I have some plastic hose guards, I'd enjoy hearing what creative ways people have used to protect their plants from dragging a hose to water different areas of their garden.
Solo cups...one with holes and 2nd one with water allows to water when needed...particularly wanting to use dry soil to start seedlings. Ideal for tomatoes because start with half cup of soil and as grows, take off lower leaves and and more soil. Tomatoe will root more from their stem...allows to build more root system and stronger plant when put outside. It works
Yes, it's so hard not to compare yourself to others on social media. I have to tell myself that my budget is different from them. That I am the only one working on my garden so sometimes my garden doesn't look like I want it to look. We often forget that there's a lot of work going on behind the scenes. I agree with having mulch and drip irrigation. I have to water using a sprinkler that I move around my garden. it will literally take me two days to water everything. It's awful. While I enjoy seeing what's growing, it's such a hassle to have to go out and move my hose especially during our triple digit weather. Another thing I love is getting plants from neighbors. I have a lovely neighbor who gives me plants. I have given neighbors plants and currently I'm giving my mom plants because she moved. She is accepting anything because there is no budget to buy plants. I have neighbors who have asked about a plant and I tell them I'll dig it up when it's the right time for you so don't be afraid to talk to your neighbors that love to garden, you might get free plants. 😄
Wow this is such a great video with awesome ideas!!! I'm so glad I stopped by! LOVE what you said at the end. I need to stop comparing myself and being influence too much by others, LOVE LOVE LOVE! 😇😇😇 Liz
Loved this video. You have so much to teach. I also learn a lot from your journal video. I use chobani yogurt cups and strawberry containers. Anything useable that I purchase food in.
This was a great video! I'm in north Texas and I started a little patio garden. My tomatoe plants and peppers didn't not start fruiting until like September October and I know it was from the heat. They were toooo hot and my patio gets a lot of sun. Bout the time my tomatoes starting fruiting it was too late.🥺
Loved the video thanks! 😊 I think that the best 2 tips for me was watering appropriately and knowing the requirements of the plant you are planting. I’ve killed many plants by overwatering and/or putting them in too much sun or shade 🤷♀️
Hi Amanda. I find if you start with the Best soil and compost to start your Garden you are giving whatever you plant the best chance to thrive. And the watering consistently is the icing on the cake. ☺️
This was really a very informative video. I see a bunch of trellising ideas I would like to start. At first when I saw the trellis made out of old wooden latters I thought about looking in the Habitat for Humanity store for the latters. But then looking at them, they would be so easy to make from 2 x4's and wooden dowels, tree branches or even the long wood handles from gardening tools that came apart and can't be fixed can be used for the horizontal parts! The ones made from flexable branches from willows was also so nice. There are too many ideas for me to comment here that I loved! Another great job Amanda!
I am a member of two Facebook groups that have pant swaps twice a year. One also has a seed swap every January. I just got three new to me seeds yesterday from the swap and I got to spend a couple hours talking plants with other plant people.
All your points are right on. I would also suggest that people assess the sunlight in their gardens and plant according to the plant's light needs. You can get away with planting celery and lettuce in part shade but that won't work for peppers and squash. I liked the split screen that you did so we got to see lots of different examples of how to do things while you were talking. Really useful.
Hi Amanda! Great video ❤ I have a lot of trouble with my city’s water 🤢 supply. It causes my garden to struggle. I would suggest to new gardeners that have city water to create a rain barrel to catch rain water for your garden. I used a new trash can that I cut a hole at the bottom and installed a spigot 🚰. Otherwise, I have to filter the water before I use it in the garden.
Amanda, love your show. I'm your neighbor in Plano Tx. I have a question regarding the Berger potting mix. Do you sift it prior to using it for seed starting? Thanks in advance.
I was just looking at Lisianthus plugs from Farmer Bailey. Looking for someone in the Austin area to share plugs. The smallest tray you can get is 125 plugs. 80.00 for one tray of 125
Typically if your compost is balanced correctly, there don’t tend to be a tone of gnats. However, if you do have gnats, they shouldn’t be an issue to your plants as long as you are using the compost outside. They are more annoying than anything else.
If you want to see the cutest garden where you can get beautiful garden art visit Gatden Happy! Liz has a garden with the cutest ideas I have ever seen! There are so many things I want to copy! See has a claw foot tub you will love! Just tell her June sent you!
I need all the budget ideas I can get when you're on a fixed income and you only get one check a month for disability you need all the budget you can get LOL but I think that's with anybody nowadays our economy has sucked for the last 4 years I just want to see some changes you know I have followed you probably for over a year now everything I am a home gardener you know I don't sell my flowers or nothing I just grow them because I love flowers everything in my yard is perennials last year was the first year I planted Hardy annuals from seeds until I bought Lisa Mason Ziegler cool flowers and the flower handbook never realized you can grow cool Hardy annuals from seeds I am starting this week possibly tonight my winners sow my favorite flower are Dahlias ,, Zinnias,,, Sunflowers and Cosmos ,,,, all the colors of coneflowers where I live here in Circleville Ohio Zone 6B I've lived here 5 years and my flower beds are full and I have grown all these that I mentioned here before so yes I'm new at wintersowing I'm excited to start but I'm kind of nervous in another way thinking what if I'm planting too early or if something goes wrong you know so but I just want to say thank you for all your info that you share with all of us I've learned a lot from you also I follow Laura on Garden answer I was big on Laura until right before Christmas I came across Lisa Mason Ziegler page but as soon as I get some funds I am going to start Soul blocking inside also for some of my summer flowers by seeds and some spring that I don't winner so but right now that's too early to do again it's Joann from Circleville Ohio Zone 6B
I WINTER SOW SEEDS. MAY IS THE CITY MASTER GARDEN CLUB SALE IN LOCAL PARK AND THE NEXT TOWN OVER HAS 2 SALES BETWEEN MAY AND JUNE LOCAL GARDEN CLUB AND THIER MASTER.GARDERS.
you can use an old garden hose as a soaker hose, by poking holes in the location of your plants. Use a hammer and large spike nail.
That is such a great idea!
I garden, because i love flowers, shrubs and sll it entails. Oh and that it helps me keep stress away
Stress is a big reason that I garden as well … I can escape 💚
I tried composting several ways over the years and never found a method that really worked for me until last year. This method is cheap and easy to setup and easy to maintain, and it’s important to start this time of year when you can still get a good supply of leaves.
First I got a roll of about 20 ft of 2 or 3 ft wide plastic mesh fencing. I arranged 3 Tposts in a triangle and wrapped 1/2 of the mesh fencing around it and secured it with zip ties to make a rough triangle/circle. Fill this with dried leaves (if you can mow over them first, even better). This will be your ready supply of carbon matter, “browns”, for the season. When it gets full, add the other half of the plastic fencing to create a second layer.
For the actual compost bin, buy a 10’ x 3’ roll of 1/4” metal hardware cloth. Form this into a cylinder next to the leaf bin and secure with more zip ties.
Start dumping your kitchen or garden waste into the metal cylinder and each time you do cover the kitchen waste ( the “greens”) with a couple handfuls of leaves.
I keep a good size bin without a lid in my kitchen freezer to collect my kitchen waste and bring it out to the compost to dump when it’s full.
You can create a third metal cylinder to hold the finished or resting compost once the bin gets full, or you can just turn it out into a pile.
When it’s time to use the compost or turn it, just clip the zip ties and remove the hardware cloth to allow full access.
Great details on creating these compost bins!
@@shesamadgardenershould a compost bin be in the sun? We have big old trees and lots of shade here!
I would add two. Number one, if you are purchasing plants, buy the smaller size. Number two, I have found plants grown on-site at independent garden centers fare better, oftentimes, than plants trucked in from other locations..
Thanks for sharing all these great tips!
Those are two really great tips. Thanks for adding your perspective!
I always want to go up to people at the big box stores when they have plants in their carts that I know won’t hold up here., and tell them not to get them. Is that bad?
Absolutely. Gardening can be fun but it doesn't have to be expensive. 💲🌸
I’m so glad you agree!
Fun to see you here, Vita! I enjoy your knowledge and love that we have similar zones - I’m in Vermont.
@@judim964 Thank you! I've visited Burlington VT many times. I love the Green Mountain State! 🥰
Amen Vita!!! 😇 Liz
Love your tips! I would add that a source of free seeds is a seed library. While every library doesn’t have this, check with your local library to see if they do. Our garden club started one at our local library and it’s restocked regularly.
Yes, that is a great tip! Thank you for sharing.
I save party cups from the holidays. Drill holes and use those for up potting my seedlings. I live in the PNW where we can be tormented by moles. But I've learned to use their mounds to my advantage and always save that soil that comes from deep in the ground is full of nematodes. Works great for containers or seedlings. I also have learned that dividing my perennials and repeating them in the garden makes it cohesive and mature looking. Essentially free plants!!!
Genius using the soil from the moles!
@shesamadgardener learned it from watching gardners world. Good Ole Monty Don!
Yes at the end of the year there are a big sale for soil, plant food, garden pots and other things, the new one for me is sharing with friends
That is a great tip!
I use small (6-8 oz.) clearish plastic cups that I put holes in the bottom to plant up my seedlings. This allows me to see the root development and helps prevent me from over watering.
Dollar Tree has metal trash cans that work great as plant cloches. If they only have white, you can always spray them black or any other color you want in your garden.
Although I have some plastic hose guards, I'd enjoy hearing what creative ways people have used to protect their plants from dragging a hose to water different areas of their garden.
Those are some great ideas, especially the Dollar Tree trash cans!
👩🏼🌾 oh i love the gardener emoji. My favorite part was the ideas for the trellises so many cute ones.❤
Glad you liked it!
Solo cups...one with holes and 2nd one with water allows to water when needed...particularly wanting to use dry soil to start seedlings. Ideal for tomatoes because start with half cup of soil and as grows, take off lower leaves and and more soil. Tomatoe will root more from their stem...allows to build more root system and stronger plant when put outside. It works
Yes, I’ve seen that system and lots of people love it!
Yes, it's so hard not to compare yourself to others on social media. I have to tell myself that my budget is different from them. That I am the only one working on my garden so sometimes my garden doesn't look like I want it to look. We often forget that there's a lot of work going on behind the scenes.
I agree with having mulch and drip irrigation. I have to water using a sprinkler that I move around my garden. it will literally take me two days to water everything. It's awful. While I enjoy seeing what's growing, it's such a hassle to have to go out and move my hose especially during our triple digit weather.
Another thing I love is getting plants from neighbors. I have a lovely neighbor who gives me plants. I have given neighbors plants and currently I'm giving my mom plants because she moved. She is accepting anything because there is no budget to buy plants. I have neighbors who have asked about a plant and I tell them I'll dig it up when it's the right time for you so don't be afraid to talk to your neighbors that love to garden, you might get free plants. 😄
It sounds like you have a great system for getting plants from your neighbors!
Wow this is such a great video with awesome ideas!!! I'm so glad I stopped by! LOVE what you said at the end. I need to stop comparing myself and being influence too much by others, LOVE LOVE LOVE! 😇😇😇 Liz
Thanks Liz, I’m glad you found it helpful!
I like using all my grass clipping and leaves for mulch. I also use shaved pine bedding that I buy for my chickens. It helps a lot
Those are all great options for mulch!
Loved this video. You have so much to teach. I also learn a lot from your journal video. I use chobani yogurt cups and strawberry containers. Anything useable that I purchase food in.
I’m glad you find the journaling helpful!
I used a broken skinny spice cabinet and lattice for my morning glory
I bet that looks amazing!
👩🌾great advice!👩🌾
Thanks for watching!
We have a worm bed and my husband makes worm tea for me and some of my clients.
Very cool!
This was a great video! I'm in north Texas and I started a little patio garden. My tomatoe plants and peppers didn't not start fruiting until like September October and I know it was from the heat. They were toooo hot and my patio gets a lot of sun. Bout the time my tomatoes starting fruiting it was too late.🥺
Yes you have to get a jump on those because specifically tomatoes do not like our extreme heat.
All 10 tips are very important to new gardens. Great video lots of good information and helpful.
Thanks for visiting!
Loved the video thanks! 😊 I think that the best 2 tips for me was watering appropriately and knowing the requirements of the plant you are planting. I’ve killed many plants by overwatering and/or putting them in too much sun or shade 🤷♀️
I’m glad you found that helpful!
Hi Amanda. I find if you start with the Best soil and compost to start your Garden you are giving whatever you plant the best chance to thrive. And the watering consistently is the icing on the cake. ☺️
Excellent point about the soil!
All great ideas! Loved the suggestions for different containers.
Thanks, I try to be budget-friendly!
Do you have any videos about watering with the wicks? Or what key words I should look for in your video titles?
I do not, I haven’t tried it personally.
Check perennials when you buy them at a garden centre, oftentimes there’s more than one plant in a pot.
Oooo, excellent tip!
This was really a very informative video. I see a bunch of trellising ideas I would like to start. At first when I saw the trellis made out of old wooden latters I thought about looking in the Habitat for Humanity store for the latters. But then looking at them, they would be so easy to make from 2 x4's and wooden dowels, tree branches or even the long wood handles from gardening tools that came apart and can't be fixed can be used for the horizontal parts! The ones made from flexable branches from willows was also so nice. There are too many ideas for me to comment here that I loved! Another great job Amanda!
Great idea to make them from scratch! Then you can make them to fit your size and needs.
I am a member of two Facebook groups that have pant swaps twice a year. One also has a seed swap every January. I just got three new to me seeds yesterday from the swap and I got to spend a couple hours talking plants with other plant people.
That's so much fun!
All your points are right on. I would also suggest that people assess the sunlight in their gardens and plant according to the plant's light needs. You can get away with planting celery and lettuce in part shade but that won't work for peppers and squash. I liked the split screen that you did so we got to see lots of different examples of how to do things while you were talking. Really useful.
I agree, sunlight is key! I’m glad you liked the split screen format!
Hi Amanda! Great video ❤
I have a lot of trouble with my city’s water 🤢 supply. It causes my garden to struggle. I would suggest to new gardeners that have city water to create a rain barrel to catch rain water for your garden. I used a new trash can that I cut a hole at the bottom and installed a spigot 🚰. Otherwise, I have to filter the water before I use it in the garden.
Great tip! I’m lucky in my city water supply but also it’s just a good idea to save water!
Great video for all gardeners!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, thank you!
Amanda, love your show. I'm your neighbor in Plano Tx. I have a question regarding the Berger potting mix. Do you sift it prior to using it for seed starting? Thanks in advance.
I do not, I just pull out a large pieces of bark from the top if needed.
Hi Mad Gardener 👋
Hi 👋!
So many great tips!
Thanks! I’m glad you found them helpful!
Thanks, Amanda. Many good ideas!
You are so welcome!
Great video and all great ideas. One I would add is propagation. I have had much success and try to propagate everything.
That's a great one too!
Every time I prune a shrub I try to propagate a few stems!
Thanks for all these great ideas 👍
Glad you like them!
Hello, great tips on thinking outside the box on different containers
I am glad you found them helpful!
All GREAT TIPS 👍
Glad you like them!
Great tips
Glad you like them!
Great job!
Thanks!
Great tips. Found some fantastic plants on Lowe's discount racks. 👩🌾👩🌾👩🌾
Those discount racks are a great resource.
Ty
You’re welcome!
Great video! 😊
Thanks!
One thing I try to do is collect rain water. It has such good “stuff” in it.😊.
Good tips Amanda. Forgot to add that in my post.🤦🏼
That’s a great tip!
Goodmorning amanda.☕
Another great video
Good morning!
Nice info! ⚾️
Thanks Ann!
Great tips! I wish I had a gardening friend but mine just aren't interested 😕
Same. We need a gardeners chat app lol
Look for gardening clubs in your area, join and make new friends that way.
Totally get that … Kristen is my only local gardening friend besides you all!
Great video
Thanks for watching!
I was just looking at Lisianthus plugs from Farmer Bailey. Looking for someone in the Austin area to share plugs. The smallest tray you can get is 125 plugs. 80.00 for one tray of 125
Hope you find someone to split with!
❤️❤️❤️
💚💚💚
How do you keep gnats out of the compost?
Typically if your compost is balanced correctly, there don’t tend to be a tone of gnats. However, if you do have gnats, they shouldn’t be an issue to your plants as long as you are using the compost outside. They are more annoying than anything else.
@ thank you 😊
If you want to see the cutest garden where you can get beautiful garden art visit Gatden Happy! Liz has a garden with the cutest ideas I have ever seen! There are so many things I want to copy! See has a claw foot tub you will love! Just tell her June sent you!
I'll check it out! Thank you!
'what about seeds collecting and cuttings
Definitely a budget saver!
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I need all the budget ideas I can get when you're on a fixed income and you only get one check a month for disability you need all the budget you can get LOL but I think that's with anybody nowadays our economy has sucked for the last 4 years I just want to see some changes you know I have followed you probably for over a year now everything I am a home gardener you know I don't sell my flowers or nothing I just grow them because I love flowers everything in my yard is perennials last year was the first year I planted Hardy annuals from seeds until I bought Lisa Mason Ziegler cool flowers and the flower handbook never realized you can grow cool Hardy annuals from seeds I am starting this week possibly tonight my winners sow my favorite flower are Dahlias ,, Zinnias,,, Sunflowers and Cosmos ,,,, all the colors of coneflowers where I live here in Circleville Ohio Zone 6B I've lived here 5 years and my flower beds are full and I have grown all these that I mentioned here before so yes I'm new at wintersowing I'm excited to start but I'm kind of nervous in another way thinking what if I'm planting too early or if something goes wrong you know so but I just want to say thank you for all your info that you share with all of us I've learned a lot from you also I follow Laura on Garden answer I was big on Laura until right before Christmas I came across Lisa Mason Ziegler page but as soon as I get some funds I am going to start Soul blocking inside also for some of my summer flowers by seeds and some spring that I don't winner so but right now that's too early to do again it's Joann from Circleville Ohio Zone 6B
Lisa Mason Ziegler is great!
I WINTER SOW SEEDS. MAY IS THE CITY MASTER GARDEN CLUB SALE IN LOCAL PARK AND THE NEXT TOWN OVER HAS 2 SALES BETWEEN MAY AND JUNE LOCAL GARDEN CLUB AND THIER MASTER.GARDERS.
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