Gardening in a Bag

I recently read an article about a woman in Africa who used bags that were discarded to grow vegetables in her small yard. She was so successful at it that she also brought in added income for her family. I later learned that many ladies in Africa have cleverly created gardens  using bags. As they realize, a container is a container is a container so that as long as the vegetable roots have space to grow, the plant will thrive.

I have always wanted to try planting potatoes in a black plastic bag.  You can use any black bag as long as it is not transparent. For directions check out the YouTube video above. This is a fun project for kids to try.

If you want to be an even lazier gardener, you can buy a sack of gardening soil and cut out a hole and plant your tomato plant in it.  You will need to use fertilizer in the garden soil you buy if it doesn’t have any added and a tomato cage for the tomato plant to grow and not topple upright. (see here) You don’t have to only grow tomatoes and potatoes in the bags, you can grow beans or peppers or experiment with other vegetables or flowers.

If you live in an apartment and only have a deck or patio that is in a sunny location, try “farming in a bag.”  Or if you are limited in space, you can garden without doing any building of raised beds or buying fancy containers.

Have fun. And let the readers of TheGardenLady blog know how you succeeded with your bag garden.

Oprah’s true love….Potatoes

Heart potato by cuorhome

Potatoes are a popular winter vegetable. They are easy to grow and they store over winter well. Many people today love them. Oprah Winfrey is quoted as saying “My idea of heaven is a great big baked potato and someone to share it with.” And when potatoes are fried, the fragrance and taste make them ambrosial so that even the poorest person can celebrate with a feast fit for a king in the coldest, darkest of nights. 

Continue reading “Oprah’s true love….Potatoes”

Potato Latkes and Applesauce

sweet potato latkes with a vegan sour cream by sweetbeetandgreenbean

Not too long ago TheGardenLady’s Jewish readers celebrated Hanukkah. Because Hanukkah is a holiday which is celebrating the pure oil found in the temple in Jerusalem approximately 2000 years ago, food prepared in oil is generally served on at least one of the 8 nights the holiday is celebrated.

One of the most popular foods served at Hanukkah is the fried potato latke or pancake. This is a simple food to prepare and very delicious to eat. Grate a few potatoes with an onion, drain any water from the grated potato/onion mix and add matza meal or bread crumbs, one egg ( for each two potatoes) plus salt and pepper to taste.  Mix, make pancakes, then fry in oil. Don’t crowd them in the pan. Let brown on one side then flip and fry on the other side. This is a poor person’s food from mostly Eastern Europe.

Continue reading “Potato Latkes and Applesauce”

Pine Needle Mulch

Pine needles for blueberry mulch by greenwalksblog (on flickr)
Pine needles for blueberry mulch by greenwalksblog (on flickr)

TheGardenLady received this question from June.

Would potatoes like a pine needle mulch?

According to Clemson University Extension, pine needle mulch is good
for potatoes.   See here.

Tip: Pine needles and coffee grounds make great mulch for acid-loving
plants, such as rhododendrons, azaleas, blueberries, raspberries,
strawberries and potatoes.

Please let TheGardenLady know how you make out with pine needle mulch.