The old man and the bottle tower gardens (Ulrich HASSAN / Willem Van Cotthem)

BOTTLE TOWER GARDENS IN RWANDA

Today, Ulrich HASSAN posted the following comment at YOU TUBE, concerning my video on Bottle Tower Gardens (http://youtu.be/K9vN2eudWcQ) :

“What I like on white people is the way you share important information to the whole world. This shows your passion! I appreciated and I have to help Rwandan people to implement this in our country. Thank you YouTube and thank you, this adorable old man, Willem Van Cotthem.”

Here is my reply : The color of our skin should never be a significant factor in our relationships. Looking for any profit when working at development cooperation should be severely condemned. Booking success with development initiatives should be a reward in itself. I hope my BOTTLE TOWER GARDENS will become a simple step for many Rwandan families towards a bit of food security and a daily portion of fresh food with vitamins and minerals, in particular for the children.

I couldn’t resist thinking at Hemingway’s “THE OLD MAN AND THE BOTTLE TOWER” or was it “THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA”? At my age, you know !

Spring 2013 in Belgium.  My wish to Ulrich HASSAN : May Rwanda too be a flowering country with happy families and healthy children (Photo WVC).

The seeds of our ancestors, climate change and our own future (YOU TUBE video)

Are you interested in seeds, the good seeds that our ancestors had ? Then listen carefully to Winona : it’s worth all the full 18 minutes

http://youtu.be/pHNlel72eQc

A Vintage Container Garden (Google / Yahoo! Voices)

Read at :

http://voices.yahoo.com/ideas-creating-vintage-container-garden-12089029.html

Ideas for Creating a Vintage Container Garden

Indoor and Outdoor Display Options

Crystal Ray, Yahoo! Contributor Network

A container garden can be created with just about anything that can hold soil, and the planters can range from pots especially for plants to repurposed items. A vintage garden of planters is charming both indoors and out. Discarded accessories from the kitchen or garden shed can be used to grow and display a wide variety of annuals, perennials, succulents and houseplants. Use these ideas for creating a vintage container garden, and even if it consists of just a few unique planters, the arrangement will look fantastic when cleverly arranged.

Turn Vintage Metal Flour Sifters into Planters

Vintage metal flour sifters that no longer work well are worth saving for an indoor display. Instead of displaying them alone, create a colorful container garden that will look great in the kitchen. Fill the sifters with rich organic soil. They will provide the perfect amount of drainage. Add ivy, baby’s tears or herbs of your choice. Since some of the soil will undoubtedly fall through the sifters, place them on decorative tray that has been sealed to prevent water damage. Place the tray on a sunny kitchen counter. It will add beauty and appeal to a kitchen that already possesses old fashioned charm.

Use a Variety of Metal Watering Cans

Metal watering cans of various sizes and shapes can be used to create a lovely vintage container garden. Shop online and at local flea markets for old sprinkling cans. Add drainage holes if they will never be used for their intended purpose. Otherwise, add a layer of stone that will provide a collection space for excess water. When filled with flowers or herbs and collectively displayed, they will look fantastic on a porch, deck, balcony or patio.

Create a Vintage Container Garden with Old Crocks

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Container Gardening Tips and Techniques (Google / The Great Courses)

Seen at : Google Alerts – Container Gardening

http://www.thegreatcourses.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=9716&ai=83152

How to Grow Anything: Container Gardening Tips & Techniques

Course No. 9716

Melinda Myers

Nationally Syndicated Garden Host

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Potatoes will grow anywhere (Google / Vernon Morning Star)

Read at :

http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/lifestyles/203300801.html

A Gardener’s Diary: Potatoes will grow anywhere

Even if you only have a small garden or a balcony,  the good news is that you can still grow potatoes successfully. You can grow potatoes in any large container that has good drainage. If your potatoes sit in water, they will rot.

I don’t use garden soil in my containers because of the clay content of our soil, and also garden soil compacts too much in containers. Use a high quality potting mix. I add compost to mine and slow release organic fertilizer. I also feed my plants with fish fertilizer and compost tea as they grow.

Some people wait for their potatoes to sprout before planting and others just plant them. If they are small you don’t have to cut them but if you do, make sure they have at least two eyes on each piece of potato.

The plants can grow quite large so make sure you have a fair size pot. I was given a special container which is 15 inches (38cm) wide and 18 inches (45cm) deep specially for potato growing. It has holes for drainage and little pockets down the sides for “stealing” some early crop. I already have four plants waiting for transplants which I will put in it.

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In Small Spaces and Yards (Google / Saratoga Today)

Read at :

http://saratogatodaynewspaper.com/index.php/today-in-saratoga/family/item/1232-gardening-in-small-spaces-and-yards

Gardening in Small Spaces and Yards

Written by  Kristi Jones, The Backyard Diva

Love to garden but don’t have the space? Then consider container gardening and square foot gardening. The two options fit the bill for people who live in apartments, have small yards or don’t have the time to till the ground and fight weeds.  

Container and square foot gardening can be very productive and rewarding for small spaces; I like to say ‘you can’t grow wrong’ with using containers. With the correct conditions you can succeed—fertile soil, water, sun and even companion and edible flowers added your vegetable or herb containers can make the most beautiful, colorful and tasty additions to your balcony, patio, or courtyard—even indoors on the windowsill. Well-designed containers placed strategically around your living space can make the home more welcoming and act as attractive focal points in your yard.

The great thing about container and square foot gardening is it is often easier than growing a typical garden. There is less weeding and bending involved making it ideal for those with limited mobility. In addition, deer, rabbits and other wildlife are less likely to dine on plants in your container garden so it makes the option perfect for those with pesky critters.

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Growing vegetables in a raised garden (Google / gtowntimes)

Read at : Google Alerts – container gardening

http://www.gtowntimes.com/local/Raised-gardens-at-GMS-help-students-grow2013-04-19T07-40-09

Raised gardens at GMS help students grow

Special needs students at Georgetown Middle School are growing vegetables in a raised garden just outside their classroom.

The garden was installed by volunteers from Elks Lodge 2797 in Murrells Inlet. Bill Judd spearheaded the project.

“We just felt the children need some horticultural therapy,” Judd said. “It’s just something we wanted to do. We wanted to help these children with disabilities.”

Volunteers built the boxes, filled them with dirt and donated plants, gloves, trowels and watering cans so the students can grow tomatoes, kale, okra, collard greens and wildflowers.

“We love seeing the excitement in these children,” Judd said. “They just light up when they see their plants.”

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