Eat More Kale!

Gardening is America's number one hobby in terms of money spent on supplies and time invested. One of the great things about growing plants is cultivating edible items to cook and prepare. Common sense tells us that eating greens and vegetables is healthy, plus, what could be more satisfying than growing your own? Let's talk about one green in particular and then see my homemade greenhouse to grow my own indoors. Behold, the nutritional powerhouse, kale.

Loaded with nutrients and fiber, but having few calories, kale is a dieter's friend and a great filler in soups, stews, salads, and other dishes. It is more fibrous than spinach, with a similar flavor and can be used in many recipes. One of my favorites was the kale and white bean soup that was served in my college cafeteria. If you are new to kale and want to try it raw, it might be best to mix it in with other greens in a salad. Personally, I like to cook a large batch of kale in the microwave, then saute it with olive oil and garlic. This cooked kale freezes well or can be kept in the refrigerator to be added to pasta, pizza, soup, or casseroles. It is fantastic in rice dishes and I even add it to mac 'n cheese!

My Indoor Kale Mini-Greenhouse



Kale seeds can be purchased at any garden center, or you can find heirloom varieties online. Above, you can see my growing station to grow my own indoor kale and lettuce. I live in an apartment, so I need to cultivate my greens indoors. I use a jumbo lasagna pan filled with potting soil and plant food. The plastic lid keeps the cat out and the humidity in while the seeds are germinating. When the greens are about 5-6 inches tall, I harvest them and add a fresh 1/2 inch or so of potting soil to the top of the pan, along with plant food, as instructed on the label.

If you like kale, but don't want to grow your own, try the farmer's markets in Murfreesboro or Nashville. You might get kale in a CSA box if you participate with a local farm. Kale makes a wonderful addition to many cooked and raw dishes. You can even use it in green smoothies or homemade juices. Here's to healthy eating and fun cooking in Tennessee!



House Plants- The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Second and Third Generation Plants in the Window

Many times, I post about projects you can make and sell; however, today I am going to discuss one of the best crafty purchases I have made online- plants. A few months ago, I bought some aloe vera and other plants on Etsy.com. Additionally, I bought some at the local grocery store. With a little love and tenderness, my plants have flourished, and I have been able to re pot the pups, or new shoots, into larger containers and novelty planters. What started out as a few plants, is now an entire table filled with lush foliage.

One of the great things about having plants that are easy to care for and reproduce quickly is the fact that I always have an inexpensive gift to give. I simply select a nice new shoot and re pot it in a unique container. A few years ago, my mom worked with a woman who painted terracotta pots for a hobby and gave out her painted pots as a gift. I like to shop at yard sales and thrift stores for vintage bowls, teapots, and planters. Whatever you use, giving a plant as a gift is something that will stay with the recipient for years. Perhaps your friend or loved one will even take up cultivating plants or decorating pots as a hobby.

New Aloe "Pups"

Another fun project is making terrariums in large glass containers with moss and decorations. You can layer different rocks and soil types in your vessel for visual interest, or add colored sand. Glass gems, river rocks, figurines, and pottery shards all make for fun decorations on the top layer of your terrarium or arranged in your potted plants.

What plants are best to start with? I am no expert, but after evaluating my climate and the amount of light in my house, I decided that succulents would be an economical choice to start with. Most succulents do well in drier conditions with some sunlight. The plants in the top picture with the long shoots and thick leaves are from the grocery store. I wish I knew what kind they were! During my research, I noticed that for shadier environments and more frequent watering, spider plants are a good choice for houseplants that grow quickly and multiply. They are also reputed to be the best plants for cleaning the air and freshening your house.


Vintage Teapot and Polymer Clay Beetle

So, what crafty things can you do with your plants, once they start to grow and reproduce? Here is a polymer clay bug that I purchased at a craft show for my plants. Making decorative figurines from wire, clay, or painted rocks is an easy way to add a personal touch to your foliage. Previously, I mentioned that painting terracotta pots was a hobby of a woman who loved to give away handpainted pots with a plant. This site here has some information on painting teracotta pots:
http://www.the-artistic-garden.com/how-to-paint-terra-cotta.html

A recent trend is giving baby plants in cute containers away as wedding and shower favors. Just add a sentimental gift tag about a new life or relationship growing, or maybe some classic poetry, a nice container, and simple instructions, and you are set! Mini pots can be found at any major gardening store or online.

I am still a novice at indoor gardening, but I love looking for unique containers for my plants, along with new varieties of greenery at the local farmer's market. Last summer, I also grew basil in my windowsill and it was very successful! The most satisfying thing is to find a great container and decorate it, then add a baby plant for a handmade gift.