Reduce, Reuse, Recycle...

...upcycle, repurpose, reclaim ~

whatever term you use,

I am putting 'it' into practice

in my garden!

Recently, I planted out my cabbage,

cauliflower, and broccoli.

Upon inspection the following day,

I discovered many chewed leaves

and even had to replace a few that

had been completely devoured.

I have been saving my TP tubes

to use as collars for the plants

but was a little surprised that I needed

to do it as I planted!

Lesson learned!

Collared brassica using

toilet paper tubes cut in half

and placed around the

plant, pushing it down into

the soil about 1/2 inch.

The collars will break down and become

compost right in the garden.

I am happy to report,

after several days with the collars

there are no more chewed plants.

[Do you know what might be chewing them?

I am thinking cabbage worms or

slugs!(WA State mascot!)

If the collars didn't work, I was going

to try a trick from my gardening friend

Clint at The Redeemed Gardener

who suggested using Epsom Salt ~

sprinkle a line around the plant or row.

As you know, slugs don't like salt

and won't cross it

and Epsom salt is good for the soil!

I am going to do with around my Hosta's ~

the slugs really love them!]

I also like to put the grass clippings between the

rows and plants to act as mulch as soon as possible

after planting to suppress the weeds!

It breaks down into compost right

in the garden. No need to handle it twice.

When the entire garden is covered, the

extra clippings go into the compost bin.

(I never use chemical fertilizers on my grass

so it is safe for the garden and compost.)

Half of the Spring garden mulched with grass clippings.

Here is a little rambling rose that I just

planted next to the greenhouse. It was a

wee start given to me by my daughter

a couple of years ago. It has been

in it's pot too long.

It is staked with reclaimed mahogany

wood slats

from Gentleman Farmer's work,

and some cheap trim molding

for the cross pieces. More molding will be

added as the plant grows up!

Just barely showing on the left

are recycled bricks at the

doorway to the greenhouse.

In the little bed against the chicken house,

(also made with recycled brick)

is another little rescued rose bush.

I can hardly wait to have the pretty little

pink roses climbing over the

Happy Hens Haus!

The planter boxes were made from

recycled lumber and trim molding

as well.

Now, to wash those chicken house windows

and I think I may make some little curtains,

from left over fabric, of course!

Joining these fun blog parties~

Barn Hop #60 at Homestead Revival

Tuesday Garden Party at An Oregon Cottage

Cottage Garden Showcase #18 at My Simple Country Living

Deborah Jean's Farmgirl/guy Friday!