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Intensive Vegetable Gardening In Small Spaces“. . . if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for battle?” — I Corinthians 14:8 —  08/12/12

 Maine Republic Email Alert “. . . that I should bear witness unto the truth.” — John 18:33 // David E. Robinson, Publisher 

 No.200

SPECIAL

Hang rain gutters and plant salad greens in them.Are you interested in gardening, but you have limited space?

Don’t despair; get creative. With imagination and determination,you can find ways to grow vegetables even in the smallest of

spaces.How To Grow Lettuce In A Rain GutterPlant salad greens in rain gutters. Rain gutters provide an

ideal space for growing salad greens since lettuce, spinachand other greens have shallow root systems. Fall is the perfect

time to plant because lettuce, spinach and salad greens lovethe cooler weather.

You can mount rain gutters the same way you would alongthe eves, on the side of your house, shed or any other building,on the side of a fence, along a deck railing or under a windowsill

as a small planter. All you have to do is cut the rain gutter tosize, cap the ends and drill holes for drainage. You can purchase

the supplies to hang them at the same place you buy the raingutters.

Supplies needed• Rain gutter, any length you desire• Rain gutter caps (2 per length)

• Rain gutter hangers (3-5 per length) mount every 3feet

• Dril l and 1/8 inch drill bit

Instructions

Place the length of rain gutter that you desire on a worksurface. Clip one rain gutter cap on each end and lock them

into place.Turn the rain gutter upside down on a workbench. Drill 1/8

inch-diameter holes through the rain gutter every 6 inches along

the entire length. The holes will allow the rain gutters to drainPosition the rain gutter hangers along the surface where

you want to hang the gutter every 3 to 4 feet. Drive the includedscrews through the mounting holes in the hangers into the

surface with a screw gun to fasten them in place. Slide thegutter into the hangers to lock it into place.

Add potting soil to the gutter and fill it up so that it is levewith the top edges of the rain gutter.

Water the soil with a watering can filled with water. With

your finger make a furrow in the center of the soil down thelength of the gutter. Plant the lettuce seeds into the furrow

planting approximately 20 seeds per foot. Cover over the seedswith potting soil and gently pack it down with your fingertips

Water the lettuce often as it grows, keeping the soil moist

at all times.

Cinderblock Herb GardenIf you live in a place that has limited space for a garden

and you want to try your green thumb, this cinderblock herbgarden might be the answer for you. It doesn’t take up muchspace and can be a creative project along the side of a building

or home.Design the cinderblocks in a way that you will get the

maximum amount of growing space. Fill each hole with pottingsoil and plant your favorite herbs in each open block of soil.

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Cinderblocks come in many decorative styles can bepurchased at places such as Lowe’s, Home Depot or any

outdoor garden store where they sell brick and block. You canget started now and have a fall crop.

Pallet GardeningPallets can be recycled and used in a whole new way.

Simply find a place to put a pallet and fill it with potting soil.

Use the wood openings to plant in. You can grow your saladgreens in a small amount of space, and it is a good way torecycle old pallets.

Starting Seedlings In 2-Liter Soda BottlesSave your 2-liter bottles and cut them so the top half fits

down into the bottom half. Drill a hole through the center of thelid of the bottle. Put string or wick through the hole and tie itso it will absorb the water from the bottom of the soda bottle.

Old-Window Hot HousesThese easy-to-make old-window hot houses can be made

from recycled materials. Collect old windows, place hinges athe top so when you are finished with the windows you can

fold them up, and save them for the next spring. Secure theminside a raised bed in the shape of a tepee. These windowswarm the soil and keep the plants from freezing on cold

mornings. It gives vegetables a head start in the springtime.

Fill the bottom of the bottle with water. Invert the top of the

bottle and fill it with potting soil. Plant your seeds in the bottlesand watch them grow. Keep enough water in the bottom of thesoda bottle so it will water itself.

Window Herb Garden

A fresh herb garden can be grown outside a window in anyhome or apartment. Anytime you want fresh herbs, just open

the window and cut them. This type of herb garden can be

easily watered and maintained. It can be taken down andreplanted, or it can be moved to the inside of the house in the

colder months. It is very nice to have fresh herbs year-round