i stumbled across the diy for this wine box salad garden yesterday (via llh designs, found on the style files) and fell in love- what a brilliant idea! i’m a big believer in square foot gardening as it is, so using pre-made wooden boxes just makes the whole thing easier from the start. and the fact that they are wine boxes covered in french just makes them all the more lovely. i wonder where linsey got these from? were they free? maybe she’ll pop over and let us know!

just think, no weeds, fresh greens (or any veggie for that matter), and a small place to tend to. sounds like the perfect garden to me! visit llh designs for the full how to and happy gardening!

wrap up: {diy} {garden} {plant} {project} {salad greens} {square foot gardening} {summer} {wine boxes}

 
have you ever heard of chia seeds? yes, they are the same seeds that grow on our friendly clay pets, but come to find out they pack immense health benefits! i found my first package while roaming the isles of a local farmers market a few years ago, and after inquiring about their health benefits, decided to give them a try. they have a very mild taste and so are an easy additive to just about any dish. i use them in breads, salads, baked goods, soups and smoothies. you can also use them as a thickening agent (for soups and sauces) by cooking them with a little water for just a few mintues.

*just one note- don’t eat the seeds that actually come with a chia pet! instead, head to your local health food store and buy them in bulk.

here are just a few of their power-house benefits:

- omega-3s: chia seeds are the richest plant source of omega-3s, containing more omega-3′s than salmon or flax seed.

- fiber: chia seeds are a rich source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, as a 25-gram portion contains 7 grams of fiber.

- minerals: chia offers a variety of minerals, including iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, molybdenum and magnesium, and also contain niacin and folic acid.

- protein: chia seeds contain 20% more protein than other grains or seeds (wheat has 14%) and the protein is of higher quality.

do you already use chia? share with us all the ways that you put in your diet!

picture via green-lemonade. resources: livestrong & wikipedia

wrap up: {chia} {food} {forgotten ingredients} {health} {omega 3} {plant} {protein} {seeds}

{chamomile}

there’s just nothing like using freshly picked herbs in the kitchen.  i cherish them dearly and they make our dishes so delectable, savory and often times more beautifully presented. most culinary herbs are easy to grow indoors and make it easy to pick from your own mini herb garden year round!  you can plant them in individual pots, or in one container easy to move around.  most herbs are easily germinated from seed but are often very affordable as starters at your local hardware store or nursery.

{sneak peek from sfgirlbybay}

best herbs for the kitchen:

basil: sweet, fragrant leaves that are commonly used in sauces, pesto, salads and italian dishes.  an easy grower that produces in the summer and fall and needs maximum sunlight.

chives: a member of the onion family; best used in potatoes, salads and on fish.

dill: used in many asian and mediterranean dishes, dill has aromatic fern like scrumptious tops.

mint: fresh and clean herb, best used in drinks, salads and sweet dishes.

oregano: often used in italian dishes, tomato sauces and on veggies.  easy to grow with many health benefits.

parsley: usually used uncooked and as a garnish; has a very mild flavor.

rosemary: woody and fragrant, best used on potatoes, bread or vegetables (my favorite!).

sage: has a slightly peppery flavor, often used in meats or in italian dishes.

thyme: a basic ingredient in numerous cuisines, an essential and aromatic herb to grow.

{::herbs::}

growing tips: most herbs prefer sunny locations, either outside or in a south facing window. make sure the bottom of your pot or planting area has a drainage hole, as herbs prefer well drained soil. make sure that each herb has a depth 7-9 inches for root growth. consider keeping invasive herbs such as mint, lemon balm and peppermint growing separately so as not to overcrowd the others.

here’s my latest project and how i made my mini kitchen herb garden! i ran across this old tool box on a vintage hunt recently, and couldn’t wait to get home and plant it up.

after drilling a few holes in the bottom for proper drainage, i filled her with good organic potting soil and planted my sage, rosemary, basil, oregano and dill. i also added an aloe plant, a cactus and a succulent at the end, just to spruce it up  a bit.

i think this is my all time favorite garden project! i love the tool box because i can easily move into the sunshine, and then indoors for the winter.  happy planting!

wrap up: {culinary} {garden} {herbs} {indoor} {kitchen} {plant}

today is all about the green thumbed friend or family member in your life.  one of these gardening items wrapped up with a new 2010 seed catalog would give them something to do for hours!  i love looking at seed catalogs in january- it gives me hope on those blistery cold winter days.

row 1 :: garden office supplies organic t-shirt ($22) ::   grow something ($15) :: flower brooch ($15) ::

row 2 :: cloche no. 1 ($58) :: herb tags for herb drying ($2.50) :: drops ($16) ::

row 3 :: ceramic owl planter ($32) :: april showers ($16) ::  vintage silverware garden marker ($22) ::

row 4 :: herb garden plant markers ($28) :: herbs ($3) :: mysterious mushroom puzzle ($42) ::

row 5 :: gardening pots print ($20) :: water your garden ($35) :: gardener’s soap ($5.75) ::

wrap up: {gardener} {gardening} {gift guide} {holiday} {homegrown} {plant} {seeds}

with easter just around the corner, my mind has been on eggs. it’s also been on gardening, since this year i’m making my very first attempt at a veggie garden (come on green thumb!), so i thought, why not combine the two? i figured you could start seedlings indoors in eggshells, then just transplant the whole thing right into the ground when they’re ready! biodegradable, easy, fun, eco-friendly! here’s how:1) pick out your best and biggest eggs!

2) remove the top of the eggshell, a hole about the size of a quarter. I used a knife for this, and it worked great! don’t fret- the shells are a bit tougher than you think.

3) remove the top of the shell and if your not cooking at the moment, make sure you save your eggs for those yummy omelets in the morning…

4) using a needle or a pin, poke a hole in the bottom of the shell to allow for water drainage.

5) fill each shell with organic seed starter mix and lightly moisten the soil. you can also label each shell with a pen or pencil- so you don’t forget what you planted! add 1-2 seeds per shell and cover them lightly with more soil (read individual seed packets for specifics).

6) you’re done! place them in a sunny window or under a glow bulb and wait for them to sprout- that’s the best part:) keep the soil moist but not soaked. when it’s time to transplant them outside, all you have to do is crack the shell and place the whole thing in the ground.

i was able to use eggs from my hens, but you can use any eggs you have in the fridge. wouldn’t these be really great easter gifts? an already-sprouted herb garden!

wrap up: {eggs} {gladening} {green} {plant} {seeds} {thumb}