Indoor grower

Every year I always try to plant my seedlings indoor early, around end of January, but most of them usually do not last by the time I have to plant them out side. I am so anxious to get started and wanted my plants to be like the ones at the store by the time I transplant them outside. I figured I spent about $3.50 per tomato plant and bell pepper for about 15 plants total, well that comes up to about $18.50. Plus I also have other plants I want to grow.

Finally, I thought it would be a good investment to have my own grower indoor. My handy husband bought it and installed it under our kitchen cupboard. The plants you see here are 4-5 weeks old. The more vigorous looking ones are zucchini, the tallest are okra and then there are tomatoes, and smallest ones are bell peppers. In the front  grower, are the broccoli and kale.

Broccoli and Kale

To the left are zucchini plants, in middle are the tomatoes, next to the right are smaller sized bell peppers, and the towering skinny ones are okra.

 

Water bottle planter. This is my son's science project. It is basically a  water bottle cut in a half. The bottom part held the water and the top part with the cap on was holding the yarn that soaks up water to the dirt. Voila! Look at his flower seedling he planted just for me. This flower plant is about is 3 weeks.

This is what the grower light looks like under my kitchen cupboard.  I used the Hydrofarm Fluorescent Grow light 24 in. You can find them on Amazon for $30.00. The one we bought did not have the valance, so my husband made one up with card stock paper and aluminum foil, that is what you see shining around the fluorescent light.

Now I am ready to plant outside. The spring cannot come soon enough with this giant snowman in my lawn.

February 25, 2015




Green Pepper Tomato Salad

INGREDIENTS:
3 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 celery rib, thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped red onion
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

DIRECTIONS:
In large bowl, combine the tomatoes, green pepper, celery and onion. In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, sugar, salt,  & pepper. Stir into  tomato mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, stirring several times, before serving.