Sam's Gardening System
This is a fun project. What makes it fun is it is so versatile. This planting method can work for any person who enjoys the fabulous way in which plants grow. It is an easy, inexpensive way of starting most vegetables and decorative plants from seed. It is a fun project for families with children, seniors, 4-H, FFA, classrooms, summer camps or any individual with any size area to raise a plant or garden.
ITEMS REQUIRED
Box of 3 oz. un-waxed paper cups (Dixie Bathroom Cups) Potting soil Spray water bottle or gentle watering pitcher Shallow tray for under cups Box knife or safety blade
ITEMS OPTIONAL (Note: These items make the work much easier, but you may choose to improvise using your own methods).
Your battery powered drill GO-4 Jr, Soil Auger Sam's Recycled Rubber anti-weed Plant Mat Llama Beans fertilizer
INSTRUCTIONS Place your shallow tray in a safe semi-shady sheltered area with little or no wind for your "Nursery". (see TIPS). Screened porches are nice, but any table beneath a tree will work. Select whatever area is best for seed germinating conditions. Warmth but not too much direct sun. Place your paper cups in neat rows on the tray. Fill each cup approximately 3/4 full with planting soil
Deposit two or more seeds in each cup.
Cover seeds with more potting soil to recommended depth of bury as given on seed packet. Tamp soil lightly with your fingers to seal seeds.
Water lightly. See TIPS). If you drown the seeds by over watering the cup just carefully use a sharp pencil and poke a small drain hole in the bottom of the cup. You might want to make a sketch or notes of what is planted in each cup or row. Check daily to keep the seeds moist for good germination. Morning is the best time to water. Most seeds require 7 to 14 days to germinate, but we had some snow peas that were above soil in only 4 days.
BIRTH
As your seedlings begin to show their heads above ground, they may require a bit more sun to strengthen them. Seedling with too much shade get scrawny as they are trying to reach more sun. Make sure they have enough moisture to cope with the increased exposure. Move them around or turn them from time to time as they seek the sun. This will strengthen their little stems.
OUT IN THE WORLD Within a couple weeks after sprouting your seedlings will be ready for final planting.
You've had a couple weeks or so to pick and prepare their final home. It may be anything from a flower pot, window box, or any size garden. Hopefully you have prepared the soil by tilling
or some other method of ground breaking. If needed you might add some potting or growing soil. We recommend fertilizing with llama manure. Llama Beans, as we call them. Not just because we sell them, but because they don't burn baby plants like some other fertilizers and chemicals do. They also do not encourage weeds as does horse manure. Gently water the prepared planting area and rake it smooth.
Next we recommend the use of anti-weed matting. We sell our pre-drilled Anti-weed Mat made from recycled tire rubber, but there are many other products available.
After your mat is in place, if using other than our pre-drilled rubber mat, cut 2-3/4" size holes at the plant spacing recommended on your original seed packets. Matting is not a must. It just cuts down on the task of weeding. Next, using our GO-4 Jr. Auger or other tool, drill or dig a planting hole in the soil, through the mat hole. Make the hole as deep as to bury your Dixie cup to its top rim.
Carefully, using a sharp box knife or other safety blade, cut the bottom out of your seedling's Dixie cup. We found it easier to just put the bottom off without need of the knife. Place the bottomless cup with seedling into the hole.
Press the surrounding soil gently against the inserted cup. Water with gentle spray, but give it a good soaking. That's all there is to it. The Dixie cup will eventually decompose. You seedling will grow its roots through the opening at the bottom.
When using this planting method you avoid the major shock of transferring your seedlings to the planter area. You also avoid the chance for weeds to grow in the same area as would happen if you planted your seeds directly. Murphy's Law says "Weeds will always germinate faster than your seeds". Trying to pull weeds from around tender little sprouts is no fun to do and rough on the sprouts. This method eliminates that competition.
TIPS When selecting a place for your 'nursery", consider that some planting soils contain fish oil and other ingredients that cats, dogs and some critters find attractive. Even toads love planting soil. There are few things more frustrating and sad than to find your new tender seedlings dumped all over by some unknown cause. During the germination period I recommend watering with "aged" water. Fill a five gallon, or smaller, bucket with tap water and let it sit for a day or two. This will allow the chlorine to dissipate. Since your seeds are in such a small cup, it is best there are no chemicals in their water. I take ours from our fish pond.
EXTRAS Shirl and I like to install box frames or other low protective barriers around our plant groups. This helps protect our plants from dragging hoses and other collateral damage. It also adds a nice neat look to the garden plot.
Plastic lumber works best, as it lasts forever, but is expensive. Any 2x6 lumber will work if you paint it real good with an outdoor paint. It also adds color and a personal touch to your garden. Sometimes we use old polycarbonite sign faces (Lexan is a brand name) discarded from our sign shop. They make great plant barriers and are better suited here than in our landfills. Check with your local sign shop.
I do not claim to be a gardening expert by any means, but we have had fantastic success with this Gardening System. I hope you all enjoy it and are as successful with it. I've enjoyed sharing it with you.
Any and all questions and comments about this page or any of our products is always welcome.
sam@samswebstore.com or phone 530-357-3156 9 to 5 Mon.-Fri. Pacific time zone