Can't wait to start gardening!!

Okay, so I caved and my husband bought me a Keurig coffee maker for my birthday in October.  I love it, but, being that I am big on recycling and not to mention... the Environmental Committee Chairperson for the school district PTA, I don't like the fact that the k-cups are one time use.  Between the kids having iced tea, hot chocolate, and hot cider, and my husband and I using 3-4 k-cups a day, we have created alot of waste.  NOT ANYMORE!!  The K-cups are the perfect size for starting seeds for my garden!!  I thought about it, Googled it, and found that I am not alone in my thinking.  Gardeners everywhere are doing it.  So I figured I might as well blog about it.

What you need are used K-cups, a pair of scissors, and pellet tray refills.  The Keurig already punches a hole in the bottom of the k-cup so you have drainage.  Use the scissor, or your fingers, to pull the foil off of the k-cup.  Scoop out the coffee grounds, being careful not to tear the paper filter inside, and add them to your compost pile. 

Place the peat pellet into the k-cup with the opening or depression side up.  If you have many k-cups to use, open and clean them all out first for a more streamlined process. 

Once you have all of your k-cups filled, place them into a container to hold them and add water.  Let them set for about 20 minutes while the peat moss re hydrates.

Using a pencil, make a hole in the center of the pellet and place the seeds, I usually put 2 or 3 as not every seed germinates.  You can also use a sharpie to write on the k-cup so that you know what is planted in it. Place the k-cups in a sunny area and be sure not to let them dry out.  When the weather permits, and your seedlings are ready, transplant into your garden!!

We added a pond to the back yard.

 We keep going through phaces of murky water, but the fish are happy.

Got Peppers??

I have an abundance of jalapeno peppers so... I am planning to make bread and butter jalapeno slices. 

4 lbs jalapeno peppers 
2 lbs onions 
3 cups vinegar 
2 cups sugar 
2 Tbs mustard seed 
2 tsp turmeric 
2 tsp celery seed 
1 tsp ginger

I would definitely recommend wearing a pair of rubber gloves for handling jalapenos, the oils within the peppers are easily absorbed into the skin, eyes, nose, and mouth. Speaking from personal experience!

Wash and cut jalapenos and onions into thin slices and cold pack into jars.

Place remaining ingredients in large sauce pot and bring to a boil. Pour hot mixture into jars, leaving 1/4 inch head space. Remove air bubbles. Adjust caps. Process 10 minutes in boiling water bath. Yield: about 7 Pints.

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 c packed brown sugar
3/4 c granulated sugar
1 c butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
2 c whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 bag chocolate chips

Heat oven to 375. Combine first 5 ingredients until well blended. Add flour, baking soda and salt; stir until mixed (the dough will be stiff). Add chocolate chips.
Drop dough by rounded tablespoonful onto ungreased cookie sheet (I use parchment paper) space 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes. (8 minutes for gooey cookies, 10 minutes for a firmer cookie)

Stevia Sweetener

I am not sure if I made the batch properly.  The sweetener has an apple juice color to it, and it smells funny.  I have to admit though, it is awfully sweet.  I am going to try to remake another batch to see if it turns out any different, since I am truly wanting to cut down my cane sugar intake. 

Here is my worm composting presentation

  

 The internet is a great source for information in doing just about anything. With the help of numerous sites and blogs, I was bale to create my own worm bin, harvest castings, and fertilize my gardens with worm compost tea.