Free Garden Soil and Plants

craigslist

Craigslist.org can be a good source for free garden soil, plants and other free stuff.  To see what is free in your area visit their website and select your location.  Look under the "for sale" category, and select "free."

Important: Practice caution and use your common sense when posting or responding to these ads.  Below are some safety tips to consider:

• Tell a friend or family member where you are going and when you expect to return.
• Bring a friend or family member with you.
• Bring a cell phone with you if you have one.
• Request that the free stuff be placed outside the home for pick-up if possible.  
• Trust your instincts.  If your gut is telling you something is wrong, then leave immediately.
• If you are posting an ad to give away free stuff, place the items in front of your house to avoid having strangers in your home.  
• When posting an ad for free stuff, keep in mind you are posting an ad for the world to see so be careful of what information you put out there.  I do not post my address, full name or phone number.  I only list my city and a nearby cross street.  I also use the anonymous email option provided by Craiglist.  I then ask people to email me with their name and contact information.  This allows me to screen emails and I can narrow the number of people I give my address and phone number to.  After I have found a person to pick up the stuff, I delete the ad.     

Reminder: UCB Spring Plant Sale Tomorrow

University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley is having its Public Spring Plant Sale tomorrow between 10 AM and 2 PM.  They have exotic and unusual plants, and specialize in mediterranean-climate plants including California natives, and plants from South Africa, Australia, the Mediterranean region and South America.  For a list of plants that are available and more information about the Spring Plant Sale click here.  They accept cash, check or credit card.

Easier Way to Start Grow Pots

Photo: Successfully Sprouted Basil Seeds in Smith & Hawken Grow Pot

I finally got around to trying the Smith & Hawken Basil Grow Pot that I purchased last December.  The Smith & Hawken basil grow kit comes with a pretty glazed planter, soil and 3 different seed packets (i.e., Sweet Basil, Cinnamon Basil and Opal Basil).

The Smith & Hawken Planting Instructions: 
Remove the seeds and soil bag from the container.  Open the soil bag and pour the soil into the container.  Add lukewarm water to moisten.  Open the seed packets over a paper towel so that the seeds do not get misplaced.  Sprinkle seeds evenly on the soil, with one variety per section.  Press seeds gently into the soil no more than 1/4"deep.  Place pot in a sunny location.  Continue to keep the soil slightly moist by misting the soil until the seeds sprout.  As the plants grow,  gently water whenever the soil feels dry to touch.  Do not overwater, as this will cause roots to rot.  Rotate the planter daily so that each side receives equal sunlight.    

Apt Garden Tips:

1. Plant Identification.  I divided the soil in thirds, and planted the seeds in alphabetical order (i.e., Cinnamon, Opal and Sweet) so that I will be able to easily identify the plants after they have sprouted.  This works because I can easily identify the front from the back by the design on the planter.  Alternatively, you can use plant markers.       
2. Sprinkling Seeds.  Hold the seed packet upright and tap the top of the seed packet a few times so that all of the seeds settle to the bottom.  Then snip a small corner off the packet.  Sprinkle the seeds over the soil by turning the packet to the side and gently tapping the other end of the packet so that the seeds come out a little at a time.  This gives you more control over where you want to plant your seeds.  The seed packets come with more than enough seeds.  In fact, I did not plant them all.  I saved some for my outdoor garden.  
3. Germinating Seeds. Instead of constantly misting the soil to keep the soil moist, just wrap a plastic shopping bag around the planter and tie the handles on the side to seal it.  Then place the whole thing on a sunny windowsill and forget about it for a few days.  The plastic bag will trap most of the moisture.  As the sun warms the soil, the water will evaporate, hit the plastic ceiling, and then "rain" down on the soil again.  After the seeds have sprouted, remove the plastic bag and then water the plants whenever the soil feels dry to touch.