Day 1: Getting Acquainted

Setting up the greenhouse was easy enough. My concern is that I may have added too many seeds per pellet...I might go back and take some out. I made a mistake with the mesclun seeds as I thoughtlessly forgot the seeds would probably be very small and a LOT poured out onto one pellet.

The portable greenhouse

The steps:

• Add warm water to the pellets. They will immediately begin to expand in size. 

• Add seeds. A sheet is provided to help you remember what was planted where 

• Place the provided lid over the tray. It will fog up slowly. And then leave it alone until you see a tiny seedling. 

The Seeds                                             

The seeds I used are saffron yellow squash, mesclun greens (including argula), micro-greens and radish. I chose them for the time it takes for them to grow and hopefully harvest. I wanted to grow lettuce, but I don't think the results would be satisfying enough within the 50 days time frame (same goes for spinach). Although I could still make a salad with the greens I've chosen. 

Squash
Harvest time: 50-55 days. (I really hope so!)
*Light: Full sun (greenhouse takes care of this)
-Seedlings should show within 10-14 days. I hope the harvest time includes the germination period.



Mesclun
Harvest time: 30 days        
Light: Full sun
-Seedlings emerge in 10-14 days same as squash.
Radish                                               Micro-greens
Harvest time: 29 days                        Harvest time: 10-15 days
Light: Full sun                                   Light: Full sun
-Seedlings emerge in 4-6 days!         -Seedlings emerge in 5-7 days

*I made a note of the light requirements. All the seeds I chose require the same amount of light which makes it easier despite my using a greenhouse, and preferably like to be sowed/planted early Spring.

Remember the same greenhouse which is biodegradable and of very convenient size can be purchased at Target for $6 at the moment. Similar greenhouses can also be found at Home Depot, OSH centers and Amazon.com and other garden centers.

Thanks for visiting. I will post a recipe immediately following this.

The day before the beginning

This is to document my attempt at growing food plus random musings and hopefully some recipes that one of you might enjoy. I will begin tomorrow. The blog is titled 50 Days of Growing Food, a play on the title of the film, 500 Days of Summer. It is my hope that I can successfully experience 50 days of growing food. I will post photos of my progress.

The kink in the faithful documentation is that I'm leaving March 5th until March 17th to India. During which time I will leave my small "greenhouse" to the care of my grandfather. The "greenhouse" was purchased at Target at the pre-sale price of 6.99. If you want to try to grow your own lettuce go out to Target and buy their mini green-house where you just water the dried peat and drop some seeds in. It's on sale for $6. Seed packets 0.99 to 1.89.

Background info on the project:
1) Class project
2) Ostensibly on the issue of food security, urban green space, sustainable food supply
3) Control of food easily and quickly grown at home (vegetables).
4) Concerns of poverty, rapid urban development and accessibility to fresh produce

Quick Points of Interest

• Tunisia's revolution is called the Jasmine Revolution and it began when a cop slapped a computer science graduate turned fruit/veggie vendor
• India is experiencing record highs of inflation on the price of food; a projected 19%
• Corn stock recently experienced hefty purchases by the Mexican gov't in case of shortage
• 9.2 billion people by 2050 --current population 6.9 billion--  living mostly in urban areas
• Food supply affected by climate change, mass farming techniques (quality issues may become more an issue)
• US wastes an estimated 30% of food each year (portion sizes). See UNEP & FAO
• 16.7 children in the US are hungry (1 in 4). See End Hunger Network.

_________
Check out March issue of Martha Stewart Living which is entirely devoted to growing your own garden or really, urban farm.

Check out IFAD.org whose tagline is "enabling poor rural people to overcome poverty." Current front page story is titled "Feeding future generations: young rural people today – prosperous, productive farmers tomorrow".