Well, it’s only been two weeks today, since making the announcement to start my twenty-five dollar victory garden. A lot has happened since then. As I write this quick post, I’m preparing to do a live segment about home vegetable gardening in a few hours on the set of Good Morning America. The Obama’s have broken ground on their plans to move forward on a White House Victory Garden and my little garden is coming along nicely too.
So far, my total cash outlay is seven dollars. That was for the necessary but all-important purchase of two bags of organic seed starting mix. And I’m really liking my containers to hold this mix; pizza boxes! No store-bought expensive trays for me. Even better are the free mini-greenhouses that once topped birthday cakes from my daughter’s party recently.
What I’ve planted to date is germinating nicely but the fun really begins when I get home. I’ve received a number of seeds from friends all over the country who are sharing in the excitement of this project. I’m even getting some hand-painted signs to mark my veggies, once I plant them in the ground. Those are coming from my new friend from Texas that I met on Twitter.
So, I must run now to prepare for my GMA segment but all is well with our twenty-five dollar victory garden. Thanks for all the encouragement so far. It really does help to know I have a lot of people supporting this.
About Joe Lamp'l
Joe Lamp'l is the Host and Executive Producer of the award winning PBS television series Growing A Greener World. Off camera, Joe dedicates his time to promoting sustainability through his popular books, blog, podcast series, and nationally syndicated newspaper columns. Follow Joe on Twitter
I am eagerly watching. This is a great idea.
This is great! Keep up the good work and look forward to following you now that I have found you.
Joe,
I’m looking forward to watching your appearance on GWA. Excellent work rallying the troops and encouraging people to garden. I’m keeping an eye on your @25. garden!
Shirley
Hi everybody. Thanks again for the continued support and words of encouragement you bestow upon me in my quest to preach by example, this $25 Victory Garden idea. Today’s GMA segment really was remarkable because they initiated it! It wasn’t pitched! That tells me they are getting the message! On top of that, today’s NY Times ran an article featuring Felder Rushing (and quoting me) on the importance of “slow gardening”. We’re getting somewhere folks and I’m excited!
Now, TC…the average “Joe” can do this! I’m not using any of my “influence” to round up any of the goods here. I’m am sourcing my friends on twitter, and asking humbly for help from those that might provide without saying who I am or what leverage I’m seeking, etc. In case I left that part out of the “Rules to Play”, that is certainly one for me; no undo influence will be exerted. This project is doable by ALL the “joe gardener’s of the world.
And Jeph, as to pizza box size, I’ve cut the width down on each of them a tad to fit the box. It’s easy to do with scissors and duct tape. What would we do without duct tape?!?
Great Job this morning–and then I see you on Twitter! I often do segments on self-care for gardening to help gardeners prevent back problems, etc. If you need some material, it makes a good show. There are weekly tips on my website about gardening and self-care. Let’s keep Americans digging!
I’ve seen those signs on Twitter. They are very, very cool.
Can’t believe it’s been two weeks since your groundbreaking “big idea”! Your #twitter4vg pals are very proud of your work.
Oh cool! Is that a standard size (medium, large etc – not personal) pizza box that’s fitting in a cake holder!?
I’m glad you’re getting all the support Joe. It makes me wonder though, what if I, an unknown, wanted to start a garden from scratch on 25 bucks, do you think I would have most all I needed donated to me? I kind of doubt it. Again, I’m not downplaying your humble and gracious experiment, I think it’s a most noble thing to do. I just have serious doubts that $25 would be enough for the “average Joe.” ;~)
I’ll be watching Joe! You are such an inspiration and have the ability to encourage others. I hope many will see how it can be done and begin their own Victory Garden today! Mine is coming along nicely too.
I’ve been mighty impressed with this little cake/pizza box greenhouse since you posted it in the Facebook group. I even saved the nice plastic dome container from our store pie yesterday, causing my mom to be confused as to why I would want an empty pie box.
Good luck today on Good Morning America – it’s great that you are showing America how to grow their own food without breaking the bank!