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It’s garden time here at the Savingsinseconds house! Now that spring is in full force, I am in the garden almost every free moment. I try to plant something daily — whether it’s seeds, bulbs, or starts. It’s fun and rewarding. This morning one of my zucchini seeds was just barely visible in the pot where it was planted….by evening, it was an inch tall. Crazy! I have something growing in every space I can find.

I’ve been home more this year, so it’s been easier to do succession plantings. The green container on the left was harvested just last week and is already grown back enough for a big salad. The blue pot in the corner was planted 3 weeks ago, and the green pot on the bottom right corner was planted with lettuce seeds 2 weeks ago. It’s such a treat to go out and cut a fresh salad for lunch or supper.

Thanks to Happy Little Plants Protein Puffs for partnering with me on this post. Opinions expressed are that of my own.

If you started the new year with a plan to eat more plant-based foods, have I got a treat for you! Check out the HORMEL® HAPPY LITTLE PLANTS™ Protein Puffs flavors. They come in a convenient 150-calorie bag, yet they pack a big protein punch with 16g per serving! I purchased the variety pack which contains 3 flavors — cinnamon sugar, nacho cheese, and ranch.

Welcome to the Second Annual Earth Day Event
and supporting eco-conscious living.

This giveaway hop is sponsored by
Venus De Miles, Reneu Shoes, and SodaStream

hosted by Fitspiration For Moms and Way 2 Good Life

The event start April 7 at 11 PM EST and end on April 21 at 11.59 PM EST.

For each giveaway you enter during the Earth Day Event, you gain an entry toward the event Grand Prizes.
Enter here for 3 chances to win a Grand Prize.

• $270 by Venus De Miles: Bicycle Event entry in IL or CO, $100 gift GoLite certificate, and a water bottle
• $100 gift certificate by Reneu Shoes
• $85 starter kit by SodaStream

Here at Savings in Seconds, you get a chance to win the book The Heirloom Life Gardener: The Baker Creek Way of Growing Your Own Food Easily and Naturally, sponsored by Baker Creek Seeds.  I’ve purchased from Baker Creek seeds for two years and have been so impressed with their dedication to preserving our food supply.  Their articles are always so informative, inspiring, and inventive.  In fact, I started working on this post three times and kept getting distracted because I couldn’t stop reading the articles on the Baker Creek website!   I saw this article and started thinking about growing radishes, even though I have never eaten a radish!  Then after reading this article on gooseberry tomatoes, I got sidetracked and started looking for tomato jam recipes.   So I’m determined to sit down and write this giveaway post, because The Heirloom Life Gardener is a story in itself! [Read more…]

People who are into technology are called techies. Food connoisseurs are foodies. So since I’m head over heels for gardening, would I be a seedie? I think so!

Yes, it’s snowing outside today, but I have happiness growing on my countertops.  Last year was my biggest adventure in gardening to date. I’m a total novice gardener and up ’til now I’ve been winging it.   I built up my container gardens, planted wildflower seeds around the pool, and harvested all kinds of good things during the warm summer months.  In the fall, I decided to step up my game and find out how to really make it worth my time.  In January, I purchased a few gardening books and read them cover-to-cover. The Heirloom Life Gardener and Backyard Harvest were the two favorites that I’ve bookmarked and referenced time and again. After placing a big seed order from Baker’s Creek and starting a few peat pots with seeds, the payoff is finally starting with the arrival a few tiny sprouts. I’m also thinking about taking an online vegetable gardening class so I can really maximize my time and energy.  Pinterest is a great help too.  The seeds you see in the photo above are various greens, peas, beans, cabbage, and leeks.  I’m really excited about the bok choy because it is supposed to grow pretty quickly.  I love to add greens to my pasta, so this is something that will definitely get good use here.   My greens sprouted the second day (yay!) and I’m eager to see them start to get leaves.  It’s hard to see them in this photo but they are definitely looking happy in their little pots.  I’ve got some Grow Bags on the way as well….anxious to see if those will work. [Read more…]

Whenever a new year begins, I get super excited to start getting ready for my garden.  When the winter hits, I really miss having those fresh flowers and veggies each day.  I pacify myself by saving small jars and bottles all winter long.  I’ll post about my favorite freebie containers later!!   For now, my focus is on my gardening catalogs and websites.  I am trying some new plants this year, but my old standby veggies will always be with me (lemon cucumbers, squash, and tomatoes).  The kids and I spend our time looking through the catalogs and circling the seeds we want to try.  We make lists of our must-haves.  We read every description then plan out the way we’ll set the plants.  My husband has promised to design some raised beds for me this year, which will allow me to expand to some new plants.  I’m sooooo excited, can you tell?! [Read more…]