grow your flow
Sowing (starting) seeds in eggshells (sanitized) is a practical, sustainable, easy, fun, and super cute greenthumb DIY experience! Plus, it is a great project for kids, families and a way to engage people in greenthumbing that may not have felt the urge before. Add some fun, makes life less ho-hum.
Not only fun, but this technique also “moonlights” as a nutrient fixer as eggshells are super rich in calcium. Without the proper amount of calcium in the soil, plants may produce deformed blooms.
Nobody has a brown thumb, things are just off balance in the care and or plant friend’s environment. Plants just need proper food, light and logistics.
For those looking to build up their plant cred mojo and get some greenthumbing points in, starting with herbs can offer great yeilds, harvests and lessons!
Below are examples of popular herbs that can turn any brownthumb green! Not only are the herbs easy to work with, they are perennials, which means your herb friends will return year after year.
Lavender
Perennial. Plant magick on so many levels, but we’ll keep that convo for another post. Thrives in full sun and dry soil. Plant from seed in the Fall or use cuttings. You can also find plant ‘starts’, available at most Farmer’s Markets but just because they look pretty at those markets, does not mean they are toxin/chem free. Lavender is known for its fragrant leaves and is a hardy herb. Try infusing water or vodka with lavender for an added level of delicious. Also great for skincare/beauty and mood management.
Oregano
Perennial. One of the most, hardy plants around! Oregano loves direct, full sun and well-drained sandy soil. You can grow from seed in the Spring or use cuttings. Oregano does really well with weekly cutbacks and is rambunctious in salads.
This is everything right now.
I’m dropping seeds, AKA seedbombing in vacant lots today. Why? Why not?! I’m dedicated to beautifying this land with greenthumbs, even if it’s just a flick of a thumb… And, as an grower with some edge and spunk, it’s natural for me to be drawn to the “guerilla” activities of seed bombing.
The concept of seed bombing was popularised in the 20th century by Masanobu Fukuoka. The essence of a seedbomb is a small ball of compacted compost stuffed with native (IMPORTANT so you don’t fuck with the flow of what’s growing!) seeds. After the seed bomb is created (see elements below), the seed ball/bomb can be thrown into nooks and crannies throughout the landscape.
Love to trigger more diverse habitats in vacant lots, construction sites and really wherever my heart calls.
To make your own seed bombs, create a ball of matter with the following elements:
* 5 tablespoons of seed compost
* 4 tablespoons of terracotta clay powder (holds the bomb together)
* 1 teaspoon of seeds, native to growing zone
* Sprinkles of water at intervals
* If Nitrogen/Phosphorus/Potassium (NPP) is absent in the compost, add liquid fertiliser
* 1 teaspoon of chilli powder or garlic powder as a pest deterrent (mites, aphids etc.)
Let it sit overnight and take out the next day – for play!
Pictured above is the stinging nettle, Urtica dioica, which has a vibrant and rich medicinal history. In medieval Europe, it was used to help people poop and to ease joint pain. Stinging nettle has also been used for hundreds of years to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia. I often suggest using nettle for skin problems as it helps with inflammation in addition to treating urinary problems during the early stages of an enlarged prostate, for urinary tract infections or for hay fever. I also like to use nettle in compresses and creams for treating joint pain, sprains and strains, tendonitis and insect bites.
Yemaya needs our help. Be mindful when consuming as it always has repercussions.
Marigolds are the Mac Daddy of all flowers. They keep away tons of pests and are by far the safest and most natural way to garden organically. – Lady Greenthumbs
photo: © Marisa Calderon/Lady Greenthumbs