The January Garden

     Lately, I have been patiently waiting the killing cold front that will inevitably hit my garden. The cold will take out or take down mostly everything aI have plabted, particularly the cannas, lemongrass, and the new sugarcane plants. I am prepared to bring the cannas inside, but the other plants will have to make do and stay put. I have a lot of hope for the health of the sugarcane. I have learned that sugarcane was grown here in west florida north of sugarmill woods, which is quite a bit north of me.
Here is the latest picture of my small permaculture garden. Not bad for the beginning of January, 2019.

Purslane Cuttings, Day 5

Purslane Cuttings, Day 4

     Today I changed the water and repositioned the cuttings to repair the cat damage. There is still no signs of roots on either the native purple purslane or the bought rosey purslane, but all the cuttings do look healthy. None have turned into gelatinous goo so thats a good sign. The smaller purple purslanes have curled their stems a little, unexpected, but not deleteriously so.

Purslane Cuttings Day 3

     There are no roots visible yet, but the cuttings look green and healthy. I lost one purple Purslane cutting due to cat damage, found later on the floor of the kitchen.

Purslane Cuttings, Day 2

Purslane, Portulaca sp.

Cuttings of Purslane
     Today I was looking at the purslane that I bought from the garden club, and was struck with the thought that it is the end of December, and that this plant might pass away with the first freeze. Death is so final.

     After a quick search of the internet, I have discovered that there are two methods to creating purslane cuttings - that is, rooting in water and rooting in clean soil. I have clipped some small shoots and removed the lower leaves. No rooting hormone applied; and placed into clean water.
     Then I went outside and took some cuttings of the smaller native purslane, the one with the tiny purple flowers. It doesn't taste nearly as good as the bought purslane with the pink and yellow flowers, but it does grow well here.
     Then I made some cuttings of Porkchop's begonia. It's not edible, but it is pretty, and grows well here in the shade with some watering.
Cuttings, day one.

Some thoughts for spring 2018

     I was brainstorming and researching what I might want to do for Spring 2018 in terms of growies.
     I might make some hanging baskets to sell on craigslist or otherwise. The pots themselves are expensive but beautiful. I was able to locate plain green hanging planters on Amazon for $2.56 per basket. That's not too bad. And they look nice, nicer if the kids would paint them up.
As for growies:
     Sweet potato (green)
     Sweet potato (purple)
     Portulaca desert rose
     Nasturtium
     Morning Glory
     Tomatoes
     Summer squash or loofah
     Catnip

     Ok, the last one is just because I can't seem to get my grow on without the neighborhood felines partying at my place. I guess that means the last basket is going to be just for me and my mom.
     That seems like possibly too many choices.

     What do you think?

Sand Spur, Cenchrus echinatus

     This annual grass is potentially one of the naughtiest plants on the planet. That is why I am proud to kick off my online sales with seeds of pain for your planting pleasure. Check it out here, I think you will find that the price is very reasonable.

Self-Reliance Expo 2016

This year there will be a gathering of people with a common interestt at the 2016 Self-Reliance Expo in Lakeland,  Florida. It will be held at the Lakeland Civic Center on September 9th and 10th. Tickets are $10 for adults and children 12 and under are free. Vendors will be there too.
I have never been to a self - reliance expo. The last expo I was at was probably DragonCon. So I am expecting awesome guest lectures and business development.  Toying with the idea of creating some business cards for Eat Your Sand and giving them out while there. Maybe even a custom t-shirt. What do you think?

How to Clone your Basil, Part 1 of 3

You may be wondering how to stay productive with your growies during the heat of summer. UofF IFAS recommends to do no planting or transplanting during the month of July, likely due to the high temperatures and extremely intermittent rainfall. In August, it would be acceptable to plant some seeds indoors for later transplanting outside, if you are into that sort of thing. Me, I would rather reproduce the growies that are successful asexually indoors during July, particularly growies like this delicious basil that I started from seed earlier this year.
This is a picture of the basil cuttings in my clone bucket, a miniature aeroponic system that bathes the stems in a constant mist. I had previously modified the sprayer head to produce finer misting particles, and once it was loaded with water and a pinch of rooting hormone it was ready to go. Also, the plants won't need light, so the clone bucket is tucked into my fairly dark kitchen where I can keep an eye on it.
Have you ever started cuttings in water, using this method or any other method?