Archives for posts with tag: Home and Garden

sprouting experiment has begun!

By natashahenderson
May 4, 2011 //
3

soaking alfalfa seeds next to the spider plant that my cat likes to eat

As those of you who peeked at this website yesterday probably know, I am attempting to grow sprouts inside my living-space/studio for the first time. Just now I soaked, swirled, and now am re-soaking my seeds; the next thing to do is wait about 2-5 hours, then drain them. After that all I need to do is to rinse them twice a day, and watch them grow.

germinate! germinate!

I used a bit of old washcloth for my “mesh”, as that’s what I had available. I’d tried, firstly, to use a bit of an old shirt that never really fit right, but the fabric was too tightly woven. Bad purchase, that shirt! Anyhow, the old wash cloth (dish towel style) seems to work ok. I’ll let you know if it does really work in the end. I think there might be an issue with it retaining moisture, and apparently a problem with sprouting seeds is too much humidity. There is a chance they will mould, and then I can’t eat them. I might need to purchase a metal type of lightweight mesh. I really do not want to use any plastic in this production! That is one of the reasons I am trying this, I was tired of buying sprouts packaged in plastic.

Here’s to new life!

Natasha Henderson, Montreal

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Categories Food, Gardening

sprouting experiment

By natashahenderson
May 3, 2011 //
1

the location where my sprouts will inhabit, too. The spider plant and catgrass will welcome their new little buddies.

I have wanted to try growing edible food inside my home for quite some time. I’ve not any sort of outdoor space attached to my home, but have been craving my own little “kitchen garden“. A year ago, I had some basil in my bathroom, sandwiched in between my bath and a window (it’s a special sort of bathroom design, if I ever clean it and decorate perhaps I’ll find an excuse to post an image of it…) but my cat had other ideas. I’ve recently gotten into buying organic sprouts, so I think it was only natural that I eventually would decide to try growing them for myself!

I have my packet of seeds (purchased in a Healthfood store), my wide-mouth jar, some rubber bands, and running water in my home. The last thing I need is a sort of mesh that I can strain the seeds on. I’ll come up with something.

The seeds I bought this first time were alfalfa, but I might try some other varieties (peas, broccoli…) once I become an expert at this. Expect full documentation.

I’ve long heard about the beneficial aspects of sprouts, and now’s the time to really give it a go!

Natasha Henderson, Montreal

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Categories Food, Gardening

smaller is better! Or, I Love A Challenge…

By natashahenderson
April 27, 2011 //

not exactly Ideal Ikea Land, but it will be organised soon...

Today I moved. No, I didn’t move out of my home, I just moved all of my “studio stuff” (folding tables, chairs, assorted cabinets, drawing table, supplies… oh, and many large paintings) into my small loft-style apartment.

I am looking at this adjustment, this shift, as a challenge.

Whenever I have seen those Home and Garden Design television shows and magazines and websites, I’ve always been most impressed by the smaller scaled situations. How to make something practical, usable, and appealing? How to save space, store thoughtfully, and retain a pleasing aesthetic?

Some of my favorite TV and magazine examples are for small garden ideas. Honestly, I would love to have a balcony. I would tier my pots of vegetables and herbs and flowers… Or to have one of those “postage-stamp” sized yards! Again, pack all the veg you possibly can into the space, and think vertical. (With no balcony or yard, I’ll just have to remain happy with my Community Garden Plot.)

Back to my current reality I go… Sitting amongst the piles of paintings, boxes of goodies, and “new” cabinetry, I am up for this challenge. I think this is my impetus to clean for Spring (finally!) Out with the TV, in with creative storage! Maybe I’ll see about getting some tomatoes in a window, too!

Natasha Henderson, Montreal

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Categories de toute beauté, Uncategorized
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