How to make garden markers

ShapeCrete has the unique ability to be packed onto a piece of fabric, or in this case bubble wrap, and then laid into a form while holding its shape. This project is a starting point for your creativity. It can be placed in the garden and filled with soil and seed. Given enough sunshine, time, and love, it will blossom into a beautiful and unique garden object. STEP 1: Mix, Pack, and Place in Wok Mix ShapeCrete to a Clay-Like Consistency, then pack it into the bubble wrap. Smooth it out to a thin layer and then let it set for a few minutes. • Just as the mix begins to set, lift it up and place it in the form. The bubble wrap will conform to the shape of the wok and create the domed piece. • Cover with plastic and let it cure for at least 24 hours. STEP 2: Remove the Bubble Wrap Peel away the bubble wrap and clean up any sharp edges with a diamond hand pad.

What you’ll need for a 10 x 8ft space:  2 rolls of 36″ x 15ft black plastic net – ($16.44 each)  1 pack of 24 Wood sticks 36″ tall (I found them where the lumber was) – ($11.97)  2 hinges (Gate House 50x25mm) – ($2.40)  8 screws 1 – 1 1/2″ long  1 small door lock (we used a tie for now)  1 Staple gun (we already had one)  1 Leveler (we already had one)  1 Hammer (we already had one) Instructions: 1. Start by placing a wooden stick on the outside or corner of your garden. My garden is attached to the outside wall of our house, I started there (place the first piece of wood stick as close as you can to your house exterior). 2. Hammer the wooden stick into the ground about 6″-8″ inches deep, you can mark them prior to this step (that’s what we did). But because the ground was sloping on some spots, we had to adjust by hammering the sticks in more or less. So we used a long leveler to keep everything nice and straight. 3. For the next wooden piece, measure 1 1/2 ft in between each stick, this will keep your net tight. 4. If you like to add a door, to your garden area. Make sure to leave some room for it! After the third piece of wood, we added our door… Read on how to make the fence door at the bottom. 5. Place your door into to ground and continue with placing the remaining wooden sticks into the ground. 6. Once all sticks are in place start by stapling the black net to each wooden piece. You should have someone who can give you a hand for this step. One that stretches the net and one that staples it on, use a hammer to secure the staples! And that’s it, you are done! How to make a Garden Fence – Door: 1. Cut or buy 2 pieces of wood 24″ x 1″ inches long and 2 pieces of 30″ x 1″ inches. I used the remaining wood pieces from our wooden pack and hubby just cut them to the length we needed 2 x 24″ pieces and 2 x 30″ pieces. 2. Nail each piece of wood together with screws and staple the black net onto the outside. 3. Attach 2 hinges on each end leaving about 1 – 1 1/2″ inches from the end 4. Screw the other half of your hinges onto a wooden stick, so all you have to do is place the wooden stick into the ground leaving enough room to close and open the door. This fence is simple, but that’s what we wanted. Something that keeps the rabbit and our dogs out, Hope you enjoyed this tutorial and start one of your own. I’ll be delighted if you share yours. Happy gardening!

What you’ll need for a 10 x 8ft space:  2 rolls of 36″ x 15ft black plastic net – ($16.44 each)  1 pack of 24 Wood sticks 36″ tall (I found them where the lumber was) – ($11.97)  2 hinges (Gate House 50x25mm) – ($2.40)  8 screws 1 – 1 1/2″ long  1 small door lock (we used a tie for now)  1 Staple gun (we already had one)  1 Leveler (we already had one)  1 Hammer (we already had one) Instructions: 1. Start by placing a wooden stick on the outside or corner of your garden. My garden is attached to the outside wall of our house, I started there (place the first piece of wood stick as close as you can to your house exterior). 2. Hammer the wooden stick into the ground about 6″-8″ inches deep, you can mark them prior to this step (that’s what we did). But because the ground was sloping on some spots, we had to adjust by hammering the sticks in more or less. So we used a long leveler to keep everything nice and straight. 3. For the next wooden piece, measure 1 1/2 ft in between each stick, this will keep your net tight. 4. If you like to add a door, to your garden area. Make sure to leave some room for it! After the third piece of wood, we added our door… Read on how to make the fence door at the bottom. 5. Place your door into to ground and continue with placing the remaining wooden sticks into the ground. 6. Once all sticks are in place start by stapling the black net to each wooden piece. You should have someone who can give you a hand for this step. One that stretches the net and one that staples it on, use a hammer to secure the staples! And that’s it, you are done! How to make a Garden Fence – Door: 1. Cut or buy 2 pieces of wood 24″ x 1″ inches long and 2 pieces of 30″ x 1″ inches. I used the remaining wood pieces from our wooden pack and hubby just cut them to the length we needed 2 x 24″ pieces and 2 x 30″ pieces. 2. Nail each piece of wood together with screws and staple the black net onto the outside. 3. Attach 2 hinges on each end leaving about 1 – 1 1/2″ inches from the end 4. Screw the other half of your hinges onto a wooden stick, so all you have to do is place the wooden stick into the ground leaving enough room to close and open the door. This fence is simple, but that’s what we wanted. Something that keeps the rabbit and our dogs out, Hope you enjoyed this tutorial and start one of your own. I’ll be delighted if you share yours. Happy gardening!

When hearing the term “kitchen garden” it’s easy to visualize a windowsill full of little flowerpots containing a few herbs. While that may be a kitchen garden of sorts, the term really refers to an outdoor garden plot where you grow items you will use in the kitchen. This can include vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs and flowers. Kitchen gardens can be as simple or as complex as you want to make them. A lot will depend on what items you choose to grow and how you layout your garden plot. The first step is to take a serious look at the space you have available for a garden plot. Keep in mind that the larger the garden, the more weeding and maintenance you will have to do. When choosing a spot for the garden, it is very important to select ground that gets a lot of direct sunlight. Plants need sunlight to thrive. It is also important that the ground has good drainage because plants that stay too wet tend to rot and yield little or no harvestable goods. Therefore, keep the garden on higher ground and avoid low-lying areas that collect and hold water. Once you have decided on the place for the garden plot, it is time to think about a design. Gardens can be a simple square or rectangular plot or you can get fancy and design the garden to be a circle, triangle or octagon. If you don’t like those configurations, use your imagination and make it any shape that you want. What you plant will help to determine the layout of your garden. You can plant in the “traditional” row method, which often requires more maintenance work than square foot gardening where you plant the plants in one-foot squares. An advantage of square foot gardening is that the plants you grow tend to spread out and shade the ground underneath them. The shade is a deterrent to weed growth. When it is time to buy garden seeds, you can find them everywhere from the grocery store to garden seed companies. Start by planting the fruits, berries, vegetables and herbs that you enjoy eating. There is little reason to plant red beets if the whole family hates them. If you love pesto, plant plenty of basil so you can make your own. If you decide to add flowers to the garden mix, choose plants that you enjoy looking at. If you’re planning on taking them indoors, make sure they smell good too! There are a few things to consider when choosing the items you intend to plant. Whether buying seeds or plants, make sure they are hardy to your area or zone. Zone information is listed on almost all seed packs. If you buy plants from your local greenhouse, chances are good that they will be well suited to your area. Garden plots can simply hold the plants that you choose to grow, but they can also be turned into beautiful spots in your yard. Add some garden or yard ornaments for a nice touch. Place some garden stones throughout the plot. Put a bench nearby and enjoy the sites, colors and smells of your garden, which is really a plot representing the fruits of your hard work.

Stepping stones can add a finishing touch to the look as your garden, as well as a way to get from here to there without getting mud on your shoes. Making your own stepping stones is easy and inexpensive. All you need is a bag of quick-set cement, a simple mold and some items to personalize your stepping stones. With a few safety precautions, this is also a perfect project for children. Step 1 Spread tarp over your work area to protect it from wet cement and cement dust. Step 2 Set out cake pans, plastic trays or other items to use as molds for your stepping stones. Step 3 Pour a small amount of cement mix and water into a wheelbarrow or large bucket (follow instructions on the bag for the correct ration of mix to water). Stir the cement and water mixture while adding more cement and water until you have the right amount for your molds and the mixture is the consistency of cooked oatmeal. Step 4 Pour or scoop wet cement into molds. Wear rubber or plastic gloves while handling wet cement because it contains lye that can burn sensitive skin. Use a cement trowel to smooth out the cement in the top of the mold. Press in small items to decorate the stepping stones if desired - pebbles, marbles, coins, glass beads, costume jewelry, even small toys work well. Step 5 Let cement dry in molds for three days. After the first 24 hours lightly spray the molds with water so the cement does not dry too fast and crack. When the cement dries it should be easy to remove from the molds by turning them over and letting the stepping stones fall out.

Materials o white globe light o white glass chandelier lamp o multi-surface glue designed for outdoor use o white spray paint primer o black gloss spray paint o turquoise glass gems o latex disposable gloves o tube of silicone designed for outdoor use o blue painter’s tape o clear finishing spray Instructions Step 1 Wash the globe light and chandelier light in warm soapy dish water. Allow to dry thoroughly. Step 2 Attach the globe light to the chandelier light using a multi-surface glue that is also designed for outdoor use. Allow the glue to dry thoroughly. Tip: Plan to hold the two items together for a minute or two or till the glue sets a bit. You want to avoid having the globe slide around and end up permanently crooked. Tip: In the photograph you can see some of the glue through the glass globe. This is not a problem because you are going to cover it with black spray paint. Step 3 Apply two coats of white spray primer. It is better to apply light coats rather than one thick one because that is a recipe for dripping paint. Allow each coat to dry thoroughly. Step 4 Apply two coats of black gloss spray paint. Just like the spray primer it is better to apply light coats rather than one thick one because you will then get the drippy look. Allow each coat to dry thoroughly. Tip: The white spray primer and the black gloss spray paint also helped to adhere the globe light and chandelier light more securely. Step 5 Now you are ready to apply the glass gems. Here are my tips for making it a successful procedure: ~ I like to use silicone that comes in a tube that looks and works like toothpaste. This is the product I used when I created a Restyled Outdoor Plant Pot Using Spray Paint. It is a little more expensive compared to the bigger tubes that need to be applied with a caulking gun. But I found a little bit goes a long way. I was better able to control the amount of silicone being applied and keep the project from not getting too messy. ~ I like to wear latex gloves when working with silicone. ~ Start at the top of the globe. Apply one glass gem at the very top. Then apply a ring of glass gems around the single top glass gem. Allow this to set or dry before applying the next ring. ~ If you apply too many glass gems at once you will have a problem with slipping and sliding gems because you are working with a curved surface. ~ This is a project where you apply a section of glass gems and then go away and do something else and then go back and work on the next section. ~ Blue painter’s tape is very handy to stop the gems from misbehaving as you work down the sides of the glass ball. It is very effective in keeping the glass gems in their place as they dry. It is also easy to remove once the glass gems are dry without leaving a mark. ~ The glass gems I worked with had subtle different sizes and shapes so it was impossible to apply them in a perfectly lined up pattern. This did not bother me too much because I like to think that homemade DIY projects do not have to look perfect. It is the little flaws that give it its sense of beauty. My goal was to fill in the black spaces as much as possible but I was comfortable with some of the black showing because it complemented the turquoise gems beautifully. ~ My system for applying the silicone was to put a dollop on the flat part of each glass gem six at a time. The photograph shows how much I applied and you do not need very much. I recommend not applying too much silicone because it will squish out from underneath and make the gazing ball look messy. The silicone will not be visible underneath each glass gem when it is dry. ~ Your roll of painter’s tape will now have a second role. Once you have worked halfway down the globe you can flip it over and work on the bottom half of the glass globe. Place the globe on the tape roll to provide support. This portion of applying the glass gems will go very fast because each row can now easily rest on the previous dry row and there will not be as much slipping and sliding. Keep in mind you will still have to work in chunks but just bigger chunks as you get to the end. ~ I have one more word of advice. I set up a station in the garage with a portable table and chair so I could leave everything set up for a couple of days. We happened to be in the middle of some very hot weather so the silicone was a little more slippery to work with! Step 6 After covering the glass globe with glass gems and the silicone is thoroughly dry apply two coats of a finishing spray. I used a clear coat spray that works to provide a protective and water-resistant coating. The instructions recommend applying two coats and it only takes six minutes to dry between each coat. This product comes in a matte finish and a clear finish. For this project I chose the clear finish that was left over from How To Paint A Ceramic Glazed Indoor Plant Pot. Here is how to make a gorgeous garden gazing ball turned out.. … and here is how all three gorgeous garden gazing balls turned out!

If you are looking to grow something different in your vegetable garden, why not try Japanese vegetables? Japanese vegetables are just as easy to grow as our domestic varieties, and they bring zip and zing to your diet. Selecting varieties that grow well in your zone will ensure success. Providing good sunlight, a trellis and lots of compost makes growing Japanese varieties easy. And there are online seed companies that specialize in Japanese and Asian vegetables. Step 1 Purchase seeds. Many Japanese and other Asian varieties can be found on your local gardening-center seed racks. Look for varieties such as bok choy, pak choy, edamame soybeans, daikon radish, komatsuna (greens), tatsoi (greens), okami (spinach) and misome (cucumber). Some varieties grow better in heat and high humidity, while others do well in cooler weather. Choose varieties according to your zone and growing requirements listed on the seed packet. Refer to online Asian seed companies for more selections. Step 2 Select your gardening site. Spend the middle part of the day in your garden and make sure that it receives at least six hours of sunlight per day. Most Japanese vegetable plants love full sun, but a few--such as greens or lettuce--will thrive in partial shade. Japanese vegetables require the same growing conditions by type as our domestic varieties. If you are growing a daikon radish or gobo (burdock root), make sure your soil is sandy and free of stones and has adequate potassium for strong root development. If you're growing an Asian cabbage or leafy greens such as perilla, provide plenty of nitrogen and compost to ensure healthy leaf growth. Step 3 Plant the seeds. Use the tip of your finger to make depressions in the soil at the proper spacing listed on the seed packet for each variety. A good rule of thumb for depth of planting is to double the size of the seed. Place the seed in the depression, sprinkle on some soil and use a fine-mist spray to moisten newly planted seeds. Seeds will sprout in about three days to two weeks, depending on the variety. Step 4 Provide trellising for crops that need it. Pound T-posts into ground at both ends of planting bed and one at the center point. Attach trellis netting, found at your local garden center, using four tie straps per post. The tie strap will circle around the post and through the netting. Secure the netting at the top and bottom and two places in between. As the vining plants grow, tie them to the netting using twine. Yard long beans and Japanese cucumbers require trellising to keep vegetables off the ground, so they will grow long and straight. Step 5 Provide adequate water and good drainage. Make sure you have a nearby garden hose with a shower-type wand, which applies water gently and won't wash away the seeds. Enriching the soil with compost in raised beds will ensure a good moisture content and will allow excess water to drain. Add a shovel full of compost around the base of each plant three times during the growing season. Christine Kelly-Begazo, Indian River County Agriculture Extension Agent, recommends testing soil for proper pH. She says, "Improper pH levels will lock soil nutrients, making them unavailable to your plants."

How to make your own garden tower The Garden Tower allows you to grow up to 50 food-producing plants in 4 square feet. Here’s an innovative, space-saving, DIY gardening solution. A self-sustaining planter that’s perfect for a small yard, patio or urban rooftop. The tower is a variation on the vertical gardening concept. Kitchen scraps and food waste are loaded into the center of the tower to create rich, organic compost that can serve as the planting medium for up to 50, fast-growing plants, flowers or herbs. Earth worms help create nutrient-rich organic compost. Food scraps are loaded into a 6-inch diameter compost cylinder that runs vertically down the center of the tower. Excess water (worm tea), worm castings and composted soil exit the bottom of the tower. The water that collects beneath the tower is poured back into the tower to provide mineral-rich moisture and promote accelerated growth. Plants can be planted on the top of the tower and in its 45 side pockets. Features: • water efficient • composts appropriate food waste • accelerates growth • space saving • sustainable • recyclable A Revolutionary Gardening and Composting Solution for Anyone! The Garden Tower is an extremely efficient and low cost way to easily grow healthy, local and organic vegetables. While this vertical gardening system is a prime choice for urban apartments, small yards and those with less ability to move around easily in a large vegetable patch, it is also a great option for school gardens, office terraces and even restaurants. Vertical Gardening Build a Grow Tower Barrel + Worm Tube Build a Grow Barrel with a worm feeding tube. Lets make a strawberry planter barrel that will last for years. Mine holds 30 plant but could hold more. Maximize your strawberry growing space or any other plants by converting a barrel into a vertical garden.

How to make your own garden tower The Garden Tower allows you to grow up to 50 food-producing plants in 4 square feet. Here’s an innovative, space-saving, DIY gardening solution. A self-sustaining planter that’s perfect for a small yard, patio or urban rooftop. The tower is a variation on the vertical gardening concept. Kitchen scraps and food waste are loaded into the center of the tower to create rich, organic compost that can serve as the planting medium for up to 50, fast-growing plants, flowers or herbs. Earth worms help create nutrient-rich organic compost. Food scraps are loaded into a 6-inch diameter compost cylinder that runs vertically down the center of the tower. Excess water (worm tea), worm castings and composted soil exit the bottom of the tower. The water that collects beneath the tower is poured back into the tower to provide mineral-rich moisture and promote accelerated growth. Plants can be planted on the top of the tower and in its 45 side pockets. Features: • water efficient • composts appropriate food waste • accelerates growth • space saving • sustainable • recyclable A Revolutionary Gardening and Composting Solution for Anyone! The Garden Tower is an extremely efficient and low cost way to easily grow healthy, local and organic vegetables. While this vertical gardening system is a prime choice for urban apartments, small yards and those with less ability to move around easily in a large vegetable patch, it is also a great option for school gardens, office terraces and even restaurants. Vertical Gardening Build a Grow Tower Barrel + Worm Tube Build a Grow Barrel with a worm feeding tube. Lets make a strawberry planter barrel that will last for years. Mine holds 30 plant but could hold more. Maximize your strawberry growing space or any other plants by converting a barrel into a vertical garden.

It is quite easy to learn how to make a fairy garden. These gardens are fun to plant and attract wonderful, winged creatures including butterflies. It doesn’t have to take up a lot of space but can make a beautiful impact in your yard. Most fairy gardens have a combination of flowering plants, herbs and ornamental grasses. CHOOSING A LOCATION FOR YOUR FAIRY GARDEN A fairy garden should be planted in an area that gets at least six hours of sunlight each day. Plants that attract fairies are mostly sun-loving plants. If you’re only spot in for a fairy garden is in the shade, check out some shade tolerant plants. FLOWER AND PLANT IDEAS FOR A FAIRY GARDEN • Brightly colored flowers that produce juicy nectar draw fairies and butterflies to gardens. They like the English cottage type of garden with a wide variety of plants and blooms. • There are no set rules for plant selection in a fairy garden. Bursts of color are an important feature. The colors are believed to attract the beautiful, winged entities. • Herbs should also be incorporated into the garden. Fairies love herbs. Fresh herbs can also be a great addition to your recipes. They taste much better than the ones that you get out of a container. Fresh herbs can also be used for medicinal reasons. So, there are several benefits to adding herbs to a fairy garden. • Ornamental grasses are super easy to grow and will make a beautiful addition to the garden. Some are just thick, green grasses while others are striped in shades of green and white. Still others have colorful plumes of fur-like consistency. Ornamental grass can add interest to your fairy garden. ADDITIONS FOR YOUR FAIRY GARDEN Small Houses Many people place a small cottage style house in their fairy gardens. This can be made of wood or ceramic. If there are openings in the house, attach screening to it so that bees and wasps do not create hives inside. There are companies that even make miniature furniture and accessories for fairy homes and gardens. Flat Stones Flat stones are popular additions to garden areas. Myths say that fairies like to sit on the flat stones to sun themselves and dry the morning dew from their wings. These stones can be natural or painted, whichever suits the individual gardener’s taste. The stones will also cut down on weed growth which is always a plus. Gnome or Fairy Statues Statues of gnomes and fairies are cute additions to any garden but are really neat in fairy gardens. They give the person that is enjoying the visual effect of the garden the idea of who might be residing there. Some even believe that the statues encourage the fairies and elves to visit. You can find a good selection of garden fairy statues online, and at local stores. Birdbaths Birdbaths are lovely accent pieces. The flying creatures will enjoy a nice bath inside of your fairy garden. There are also a variety of decorative rocks to put into your birdbath that will not only enhance its beauty but keep it steady on the ground. Wind Chimes Wind chimes are always a welcome addition to the garden. They add an inviting sound to the area which will increase the interest level of your garden.

TO MAKE THIS CRAFT YOU WILL NEED • 1 small succulent plant (I used Elephant Bush) • teacup and saucer • small stones or gravel • mulch or moss • fairy garden embellishments Save DIRECTIONS Cover the bottom of your teacup with gravel or small stones so the soil can properly drain. I found my teacup and saucer at Marshalls, but wouldn’t an antique teacup and saucer be precious? Save Plant a small succulent in the teacup. I purchased my plant at Lowes. The Elephant Bush plant I bought was just the right size and contained all the soil I needed. I think it looks fantastic! Save Cover the top of the teacup with moss or mulch, then accent the garden with whimsical embellishments. I love the little welcome sign and birdhouse we found at our local craft store.

First of all, you want to decide on your fairy garden theme. Be sure to get the kids involved with this process. Shopping for fairy garden accessories is half of the fun! Will it be a magical garden with a little house and swing set to welcome fairies each night? Or will you decide on a theme based on your favorite hobbies, toys, time period or animals? Here are some fun fairy garden theme ideas to get you started: • Cats • Dogs • Farm • Carnival • Dinosaurs • Trolls • Gnomes • Horses • Camping • Playground • Log Cabin • Medieval Times 2. CHOOSE YOUR CONTAINER Since our herb fairy garden was for our kitchen, I chose a galvanized container that matched my kitchen decor. You can put a fairy garden in just about any kind of container, you don’t need to limit yourself to the usual terracotta flower pot. 3. CHOOSE THE HERBS Think about what herbs you would use the most. I love adding fresh mint to my drinks, so mint was definitely on my list of herbs to buy. Because I make a lot of pasta dishes, oregano and basil were on my list as well. If you have a larger container, add some colorful flowering plants as well. 4. CHOOSE THE SOIL When growing any kind of food, such as herbs, it’s best to use organic potting soil such as Ecoscraps, which can be found at Target. 5. DESIGN YOUR FAIRY GARDEN Now that you have your accessories, container, herbs and soil, you are ready to start designing your magical fairy garden! If using a container with no drain like I did, protect it by lining the container with plastic. Then add some rocks to the bottom before adding the soil. This will help the water drain and not drown your plants if you over-water them. Fill your container with potting soil and add your favorite plants and flowers making sure to think of the scene you want to create as you plant. Add various heights and take note to leave space for plant growth. Before planting herbs, loosen the soil at the bottom so the roots are exposed to the soil. Moss, pebbles and twinkling lights are great to have when creating a magical fairy garden. Place near a window and enjoy!

Vegetables are inherently healthy, but gardeners can do things throughout the growing season to make their crops less healthy than they might be. Many gardeners are unaware of the effects that chemicals can have on their vegetables. A clean and healthy garden with only natural growing methods is the best way to grow healthy and chemical-free food. Growing healthy vegetables is a great way to ensure that your family will eat well throughout the year. Step 1 Create a welcoming environment for your seeds and seedlings. Create a raised bed garden so that the plants will grow in loose soil that will not be compacted by walking on it. Raised beds can be placed on the regular garden plot that you previously used, or may be built up on legs or in wooden pens to make the surface higher for easy reaching. Step 2 Compost all of your garden waste to make healthy fertilizer for your plants. Layer garden and kitchen waste with soil until the bin is filled about halfway. Turn the bin or compost pile every week. Within six weeks or so your garden waste will be turned into healthy compost. Dig this directly into your soil to feed all vegetable plants. Step 3 Keep your garden clean by regularly weeding it. Raised beds will still get weeds, although usually not as many, but the weeds should be taken care of when they are still young. Place all the pulled weeds into your compost bin for reuse later. Step 4 Take care of any pests by using insecticidal soap. Combine 2 tbsp. of liquid soap with one quart of water. Spray this mixture directly onto the plants and on the pests. The soap interferes with the insects' breathing and will get rid of them without getting any harsh chemicals on your food. Step 5 Choose a large variety of vegetables for the healthiest harvest. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, most adults should eat nine servings of vegetables and fruits a day and should get a variety of shapes and colors. Grow lettuces in many different versions. Peppers can be in many different colors, as can other vegetables. Aim to create a rainbow on your table, and you will get as many nutrients as possible.

Growing Mint in Water It is also possible, to grow mint in water all you need to do is to take tip cuttings of about 5-6 inches length from an established mint plant. Remove the bottom leaves and place the cuttings in a water-filled glass or bottle. Keep the bottle in a cool spot that is bright and receives indirect light. Keep changing the water every other day. The cutting will develop a few leaves and last for several days, you can either plant it in a container filled with soil or use it. Requirements For Growing Mint Indoors Growing mint indoors is rewarding, it complements vegetables, salads, yogurt, and meat and freshly picked leaves taste so great. Also, if you want to make an Indoor Herb Garden, mint is the best herb, to begin with. There are about 600 mint species to choose from, grow which one you like most! There are a few simple needs you need to care about– use a medium sized pot (2-3 gallon would be fine) when growing mint in containers, a wide planter is good as mint spread through runners and it’ll give space to plant to cover. Location Mint can tolerate some shade outside but it needs a minimum 3-4 hour of direct sunlight to grow well. Choose a location where this can receive that much sun and proper air circulation. Near a window or door, if you can keep it on a windowsill or on a balcony it would be best! Soil Quality potting mix that is light and soilless is what you need to grow mint indoors. You can also make it yourself: • Combine 4-6 parts peat moss, 1 part perlite and 1 part vermiculite. If adding nutrients, blend 1/2 cup each bone meal, oyster shell lime (raises pH) and cottonseed meal/canola meal per 8 gallons of potting mix. OR • Follow this basic recipe– Add 1 part peat moss or coco peat, 1 part perlite (sand if you don’t have access to perlite), 1 part compost, 1 part sterile garden soil (optional). Water Mint loves moist soil, remember, moist soil not overly wet. You should be careful (especially in winter) with watering and don’t soak the plant both in the morning and evening to pamper it. Just keep the plant well watered and slightly moist. Both underwatering and overwatering should be avoided. Fertilizer Herbs growing indoors or anywhere shouldn’t be fertilized heavily or else they lose flavor. Feeding the mint plant occasionally using water-soluble all-purpose fertilizer should be enough. You can also mulch the top layer of the pot with compost or manure. How to Care for Indoor Mint Plant Pinching and Pruning Pinch off the tips regularly to encourage the plant to grow more branches and become bushier. Prune off the lanky, spindly and dried branches time to time to keep the plant in shape. Temperature Mint loves moderate temperature, it should be saved from cold drafts in temperates. If you live in a warm tropical climate keep it away from hot and dry air, also, you’ll need to water the plant regularly. The indoor temperature should be around at least 65-70 F (18-21 C) in day and 55-60 F (13-15 C) in the night. Harvest Harvesting mint is easy. The best method is picking when you need. Pick off the sprigs or leaves just when you need whether you’re using them for dessert or lunch. Never let the flowers bloom and pinch off once you see them.

Growing Mint in Water It is also possible, to grow mint in water all you need to do is to take tip cuttings of about 5-6 inches length from an established mint plant. Remove the bottom leaves and place the cuttings in a water-filled glass or bottle. Keep the bottle in a cool spot that is bright and receives indirect light. Keep changing the water every other day. The cutting will develop a few leaves and last for several days, you can either plant it in a container filled with soil or use it. Requirements For Growing Mint Indoors Growing mint indoors is rewarding, it complements vegetables, salads, yogurt, and meat and freshly picked leaves taste so great. Also, if you want to make an Indoor Herb Garden, mint is the best herb, to begin with. There are about 600 mint species to choose from, grow which one you like most! There are a few simple needs you need to care about– use a medium sized pot (2-3 gallon would be fine) when growing mint in containers, a wide planter is good as mint spread through runners and it’ll give space to plant to cover. Location Mint can tolerate some shade outside but it needs a minimum 3-4 hour of direct sunlight to grow well. Choose a location where this can receive that much sun and proper air circulation. Near a window or door, if you can keep it on a windowsill or on a balcony it would be best! Soil Quality potting mix that is light and soilless is what you need to grow mint indoors. You can also make it yourself: • Combine 4-6 parts peat moss, 1 part perlite and 1 part vermiculite. If adding nutrients, blend 1/2 cup each bone meal, oyster shell lime (raises pH) and cottonseed meal/canola meal per 8 gallons of potting mix. OR • Follow this basic recipe– Add 1 part peat moss or coco peat, 1 part perlite (sand if you don’t have access to perlite), 1 part compost, 1 part sterile garden soil (optional). Water Mint loves moist soil, remember, moist soil not overly wet. You should be careful (especially in winter) with watering and don’t soak the plant both in the morning and evening to pamper it. Just keep the plant well watered and slightly moist. Both underwatering and overwatering should be avoided. Fertilizer Herbs growing indoors or anywhere shouldn’t be fertilized heavily or else they lose flavor. Feeding the mint plant occasionally using water-soluble all-purpose fertilizer should be enough. You can also mulch the top layer of the pot with compost or manure. How to Care for Indoor Mint Plant Pinching and Pruning Pinch off the tips regularly to encourage the plant to grow more branches and become bushier. Prune off the lanky, spindly and dried branches time to time to keep the plant in shape. Temperature Mint loves moderate temperature, it should be saved from cold drafts in temperates. If you live in a warm tropical climate keep it away from hot and dry air, also, you’ll need to water the plant regularly. The indoor temperature should be around at least 65-70 F (18-21 C) in day and 55-60 F (13-15 C) in the night. Harvest Harvesting mint is easy. The best method is picking when you need. Pick off the sprigs or leaves just when you need whether you’re using them for dessert or lunch. Never let the flowers bloom and pinch off once you see them.