How to propagate plants properly
Propagate indoor plants properly with these gardening tips.
Problem Solved, USA TODAY
Can you garden for free?
Ned Birkey, a Monroe County farmer and MSU Extension educator emeritus, said many aspects of gardening can be free and others can be inexpensive. Starting seeds indoors in potting soil is a good way to save money, but start soon. Outdoor planting season begins in about three and a half months.
“Starting seeds indoors, particularly for tender vegetables, likes tomatoes, eggplants and peppers, give the plants a head start once the danger of frost has passed. Growing herbs from seed tends to take the most time and is best-suited for fast-growing, tender-stemmed herbs, like parsley or cilantro,” Birkey said. “Cool season crops, like radishes, peas, green beans, kale, onions, spinach and carrots, can be planted or sown directly into outdoor garden soils or raised beds.”
Get free garden seedsFree seeds are available through seven of the 16 branches of the Monroe County Library System: Bedford, Blue Bush, Ellis Library & Reference Center, Frenchtown-Dixie, Maybee, Petersburg and South Rockwood.
Harvest seeds from your fruits and vegetables, even the store-bought ones. Kristin Brown, digital reference library for MCLS, shared these harvesting tips, “Wet seeds, like tomatoes, need to ferment for a couple of days in a jar with the pulp in order to break down the membrane that protects the outer part of the seeds. Dry seeds, like peppers, can simply be scooped out and left on a paper towel to dry out. All seeds should be stored in a container or envelope in a cool, dark and dry space.””At Arbor Day, Earth Day events or events at Monroe County Community College or Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, some groups may be giving away vegetable or flower seeds or even tree seedlings,” Birkey said.Use seeds you already have
“If last year’s produce did well, it is easy to test leftover seed with a warm germination test at home,” Birkey said. “Put 10 seeds on a damp paper or cloth towel, fold it up and check after a week or so to see how many seeds have sprouted. If eight of 10 germinate, then use that variety again. If only two out of 10 germinate, then buy new seed.”
“Colorado State University has a seed viability chart to help you know how long leftover seed may be good for,” Birkey added.
Use containers you already have. Think beyond pots
Start plants in containers you already have.
“I have seen old tires used as containers, with regular topsoil used to fill in the center,” Birkey said. “Crates, tubs, sacks and other household items can all be repurposed as planters, if they have good drainage holes.”
You can even keep the sprouted seeds in the pots and have a container garden.
“Growing vegetables in containers comes with many advantages: containers are portable and easy to move; containers make it easier to garden around poor or contaminated soil, plants can be moved indoors when frost threatens,” Birkey said. “Gardening is possible on rooftops and urban settings. The main drawback is that containers dry out more quickly than garden beds, so regular watering is essential.”
Get a free or inexpensive garden plot
If you don’t have space for a garden at home, several Monroe County organizations offer rentable garden plots.
Plots are free at MCLS’ Bedford and Blue Bush branch libraries. Low-cost plots are available at Monroe’s Munson Park and St. Mary’s Organic Garden and Brownstown Community Gardens.
Get an inexpensive soil test
Birkey recommends a test of garden soil about every four years. He said the results are worth the fee.
“A soil test is like a roadmap or Google maps. Without it, you are ‘blind’ to what the soil and plants need,” Birkey said. “A homeowner soil test kit from MSU Extension office (963 S. Raisinville Road in Monroe) costs $27, including instructions and the prepaid mailer.”
Get free compost
“Homemade compost can be made by just combining untreated grass clippings and tree leaves from the homeowner’s property. A combination of green and brown materials mixed can result in a nice compost in a year,” Birkey said. “Free advice on composting is available from the MSU Extension office.”
Borrow garden tools
If you have a Milan Public Library card, you can checkout garden tools at the library.
Curb weeds for free
“Old boxes from the grocery store can be taken apart to lay out flat between the rows to hold down weeds and make a walking path,” Birkey said. “In the fall, they will be disintegrating to help become a soil amendment for next year.”
Get free professional gardening advice
“MSU Extension is a free, taxpayer-paid service that can give solid information and identify insects or weeds. It has a myriad of information about gardening, lawns or other topics,” Birkey said.
Take a free gardening classTwo sessions of “Native Plant Winter Sowing Workshop” are set for Jan. 31 at the Bedford Branch Library. All supplies, including native seeds, are provided. Bring gardening gloves. Registration is required.”Vegetable Seed Starting Workshop” is set for March 28 at Bedford Branch Library. Attendees will make biodegradable seed pots from newspaper. Seeds will be provided. Bring gardening gloves. Registration is required.Although not free, Birkey is hosting a series of agricultural classes at MCCC’s Whitman Center in Temperance. One class is March 21’s “Grow Green? Monroe County Gardening and Conservation Workshop.” Birkey and other local experts will share tips and techniques for gardening. Registration is required. Learn more here.
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
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