I started with the trim and edges when painting the kitchen. Note to all: There are LOTS OF THOSE in kitchens. I'm not hating it, but it is taking a long time to complete. The next step for me is to pull out the fridge and stove and clean under and behind them for painting. Then I think I'll get one of those mini rollers and pans to fill in the blanks. I really believe painting with a brush or pad saves so much more paint than using a big roller. I've used only our little sample can for almost all of the edging so far!
As for my plants, they are doing well. I took some photos with the iPod that I will post as son as I figure some bloggy things out. My tomato plant has some flowers, and the strawberries (grown conventionally) are already poking out of the soil. I plan to cover that pot with a mesh screen and put mothballs around the outside to keep bugs out. I stole that idea from a cousin. However, she lives up north, not here in bug paradise, so we'll see.
As for how to plant a hanging tomato, I know there are lots of planters being sold online and in home improvement stores for that. It seemed pricey to me for such a simple concept, so I stole an idea another person had online for hanging them with a reusable shopping bag.
You cut an inch hole in bottom of the bag, then put the tomato plant through. (This idea doesn't seem to work with seeds.) Follow the instructions on the plant for how far the dirt has to cover it. Hold the plant up enough as you fill the bag with dirt so that you can accomplish this. Note that you should buy tomatoes that aren't overly large for hanging and that do well in containers. Fill the bag maybe 1/3 with dirt? (I used a heavier duty more "waterproof" reusable bag so that when I watered it would be less likely to all drain out, but still have breathing room.) Then... the big problem with this method seems to be that the dirt doesn't hold water well.. so instead of buying the special system they sell, I just got a regular sponge without any sort of chemicals added, soaked it, and placed it on top of the dirt I already put in. Then I filled the bag to maybe 2/3 full of dirt and stopped because it gets damn heavy! I wet down the dirt well and then hung the bag over my hose hanger. I have yet to really get down to the problem of how to hang it higher. I need to go to the store and find some sort of heavy duty clamp to put around my porch rails, because this thing is just too darn heavy to hang any other way. As it is now, animals and bugs will have NO problem reaching it. I have to get on that before tomatoes start. So far the plant is doing well. I don't know if the sponge will harbor anything nasty or not. I shall check back with you on that. If anyone has any tips/advice, feel free to fire away! My thumb is as far from green as it can get.
2 comments:
Now, tell me the practicality of painting a little every day. Does the house always smell like wet paint? What container do you have the paint in so that it is easy to get in and out of? Basically what I am asking is if you've figured out any tips for making it easier to paint a little every day.
I'm impressed with the upside down tomato idea, though it sounds like a lot of hard work. Is the advantage supposed to be that bugs can't get at it? Or is it more about the novelty of upside down?
Post a Comment