Scrappy Growing

Scrappy growing is one of my favorite ways to grow, and one of the best ways to introduce someone to gardening and self sufficiency. Providing anyone with a sunny place the ability to supplement some of their diet with quality, nutrient dense foods.

Green Onions (spring onions)

Green onions are an easy and delicious addition to many recipes your kitchen and you can even grow them on your window sill. Starting from seed is a simple process, however it takes some extra time. A bunch of green onions purchased from a store once can provide you months of green onions. Just by placing the bulb of the green onion in a water source will help it develop roots and continue to grow. By replacing the water every couple days,you can harvest your green onion almost indefinitely. Where space allows, transplanting your green onions into a pot of soil is also an option that will provide great results.

Sweet Potato (Yam)

Sweet Potatoes, and yams are very similar to potatoes as they grow via tubers. Potatoes will grow from a potato, but sweet potatoes require an added process to grow your own.

In water or soil submerge an end of the sweet potato. Try to leave as many eyes above the moisture level. These eyes will provide the slips required to grow your sweet potatoes. Once a large slip has grown off the side of your sweet potato, it’s time to remove the slip from the potato and place it in water to root. Once your sweet potato slips have a strong root system developed they are ready to be transplanted into their mound. Climatizing your slips is an important step. Bring the plants outside in a sheltered area to introduce them to the elements and bringing them in at night. This is done for a couple days to harden off your plants prior to planting. This allows for a smoother transition for your plants.

Ginger

Ginger is a delicious plant, designated to tropical areas of the world that can provide its long growing season. If you are willing to supplement some light and grow yours indoors, ginger is very easy to grow and requires little attention. Only requiring a shallow but wide pot (the wider the better) Ginger is simple to root and grow. Many times the organic ginger in the stores has started the sprouting process already. Look for sprouts and choose smaller pieces to provide more growth capability. Simply place the piece of ginger into the soil with the top sprouts just out of the soil.

Scrappy Growing : Herbs and Cuttings

Many herbs can be sprouted simply by taking a cutting and placing it in water. Rosemary,mints, basil and many others are easily propagated by taking cuttings.Taking a 6-8″ cutting and removing the bottom leaves up the stalk. By only leaving the top 3-4 leaves, the plants energy goes to rooting at the water covered nodes. Ensure your cuttings are at a consistent water level in a bright sunny spot. Soon roots will develop and new growth will start. Once new growth has begun the plant is ready for transplant into loose soil.

Acquiring dormant cuttings is another way to expand your garden at a low cost. Many fruits like grapes can be propagated from a dormant cutting. Once your plants start producing fruit, you can now start to grow from seed, for free.

Scrappy Growing : Composting your Food Waste

Food waste is estimated to be 30-40% of American’s food supply. Luckily, composting your own food waste has spectacular benefits to your plants and reduces the garbage you create. A simple compost bin in the back yard provides a gardener with nutrient dense fertilizer. There are even some amazing small scale in house versions that provide the indoor gardener an awesome option.

Worm castings is another easy way to use your food waste to create compost to aide in plant health. By utilizing a tote, a few worms and your food scraps you can provide yourself with the safest and best fertilizer for your indoor or outdoor plants.