Gardens and Herbs in Urban Space

This is the basil seeds that I harvested from the basil plant while I visit my mother in Batu Pahat on 24 Dec 2017. I am going to sow them in my Singapore community garden soon! The small black seed dropped off when I shook the dried flower.

Though I grew up in my parents' farms and plantations in the first 20 years of my life, I always feel inadequate in many area when I start urban farming at the age of 50. Thanks to community friends of the same interest who share their urban farming experience and secrets. However, there are lots more to learn. In my quest for knowledge to become a more effective urban farmer, I stumble across Upstart University , an educational resource site for farmers. You can enroll into a $9.90 per month online course to start. OR you may choose to buy some downloadable (PDF) courses. There is a comprehensive step-by-step courses for you if your are serious about urban farming! Stop talking, start farming. Happy farming!

I found this unknown plant my ginger planter. My home garden is 6 floors above the ground. I wondered how it ended up there. I was curious what plant is it. So, I decide to keep it. Carefully, I transferred it into small recycled dessert cup and put on a lid.  Let's wait and see what it may grow to be!

I have the pleasure to do something I purely enjoy during my visit to my mother's house in Bath Pahat.  I did a makeover for her mini edible garden in front of the house. I removed the overgrown herbs and transplanted to another location.  I ransacked the surrounding to find discarded bricks, stones, wood and planks to  make a raised hedge around the patch helps to 'draw' a boundary to curb the invasion of grass and weeds. Mum's edibke garden after the makeover Mum's overgrown edible garden

For a serious gardener, affordable gardening supplies mean cost saving in the long run and make keeping the hobby sustainable financially.  Mikskaar premium potting mix 70litre,  S$35 at Pioneer Garden services, Bah Soon pah Road. Free Delivery for minimum purchase of S$200. Pflanz-Erde Plantaflor sold at S$35 by Ban Nee Chen, Bah Soon Pah Road.  Free Delivery for minimum purchase of S$200. ^^^^ Similarly, 70L of Holland brand vegetable planting soil sold at S$33 by Chey Heng Orchid Garden, Bah Soon Pah Road.  Free Delivery for minimum purchase of S$200. (no picture available) ^^^^^ Potting soil, 40 Litre sold by Green Spade at S$10.80 (inclusive of GST). Free Delivery for minimum purchase of S$50.

Peal the onions and left the core shoots behind.

What an opportunity that I wouldn't want to miss! I was given a task in my organisation to transform the gardening corner. The first thing cane to.my mind was Edible Garden , Therapeutic garden . After much deliberation an consultation with some knowledgeable folks on community gardening, I started to draw out a theme based plan. Edible garden that serves the needs of the community. Garden at unkempt state (Nov 2017) Work-in-progress edible garden...with a plan and goal in mind. (Dec 2017) First 2 planters box are up with okra (ladies fingers) and pea seedlings (22 Dec 2017).

To sprout peas sprouts, soak the seeds for 6 hours first before sowing them onto a planter. Read further to learn how.  Prepare a planter with potting mix, about 2 inches deep. Spread the peas evenly. Cover the peas with a thin layer of potting mix. Cover the planter keep retain the moisture and keep warm. And wait for the peas to spout. Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 4  Day 6  Ready for harvest 2nd harvest Served. Fried peas sprout with mushrooms. Yummy!

Saw a little wild grass in the garden today. Decided to sketch it up for this blog. It thrives in the midst of cow grass patch. On its own, it does not bother the visitors, nor disturb by them.  Live to its fullest wherever it was planted. It does not toil or spin, yet  the heaven blessed it with sun, water and nutrients so it lives to its fullest! my sketch of the wild grass I saw in the garden I visited today

I love to eat mini bitter gourd salsa. Decided to plant my own mini bitter gourd. I need to be very patience as you can see that from seedlings to flowering takes 2.5 months. Hopefully it will grow some fruits. Will update here as soon as the fruits appear. mini bitter gourd seedlings  flowering mini bitter gourd plants at 2.5 months old bitter gourd plants climbs up the trellies   First fruit on 21 Jan 2018. Three and and half months of patience and tender loving care. For practical reason, it is used for food.  More bitter guords. Updated on 3 Feb 2018.

Roquette, an ingredient in salads that has a nutty taste is difficult to cultivate. The seedlings I germinated were very delicate. The roots growth was slow. Some of my seedlings dried up when I exposed them to grow light for too long without adding sufficient water. In comparison, the Chinese mustard seedlings were relatively easier to caltivate. Roquette seedlings Chinese lettuce seedlings 

Sow 10 lots of cherry tomatoes seed into my up cycled planter bags.  Seeds bought in Batu Pahat, Johor planter bag modified from rice bag Sowed on 19 Dec 2017 this is how I sow the seeds cherry tomotoes germinated after 3 days (23 Dec 2017)