Outdoor Living Newsletter October 2012   »   Gardening on the road
I Love Green

Gardening on the Road

OCT 05

Written by: Jeanette Espinosa
10/05/2012 5:05 PM

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Clay pots on window sill with herbs growing in each one.
RV garden on the go

Life in an RV is wonderful. Open roads, freedom, your house on wheels. But what about your beloved garden that you left back at your bricks and mortar home? How do you get that wholesome feeling that comes with getting your hands dirty, nurturing your plants and watching them grow and flourish? Being on the road takes you away from your garden, but it doesn't have to! While you can't pack the world in a bag, you can have your garden in a bag, a Styrofoam cup or even on a windowsill! Here are a few ideas to keep your green thumb happy on the road.

Hanging Strawberry Plant

Aside from being delicious, strawberries are very pretty plants. That is why it's a great idea to have a hanging strawberry plant in your RV which can be hung on your awning when you settle into your camp site. Hanging strawberry plants are fairly simple to cultivate and will be a conversation piece for any RV home. The key is to resist the temptation to over water, you simply want to keep them moist. Most kits come complete with instructions and care tips, but here are the instructions in a nut's shell!

Here's what you'll need:

  • Basket
  • Strawberry plants
  • Moss liner
  • Soil

Here's how to do it:

  1. Put down the moss liner inside the basket
  2. Fill the basket with soil
  3. Plant the strawberries inside the soil
  4. Give it a light drizzle of water to help the plants get settled in

Tomato Seedlings in Styrofoam Cups

Put your used Styrofoam cups to good use. This is a great option when you're traveling in the winter and miss your homegrown tomatoes. Choose a seed from one of the smaller tomato varieties such as Early Cascade or Golden Nugget. Remember, lighting is key when growing tomatoes - let them see the light. You don't want to over water these plants either. Just keep them moist.

Here's what you'll need:

  • Styrofoam cup
  • Saucer
  • Tomato seeds
  • Starter soil
  • Potting soil

Here's how to do it:

  1. Poke some small holes into the bottom of the cup
  2. Fill 1/2 the cup with starter soil
  3. Place seed on top of soil
  4. Cover seed with 1/4 inch of starter soil
  5. Place saucer underneath the cup
  6. Water

Let the tomato seedlings germinate and grow to a viable size, then transplant them to a pot that can handle your full grown plant.

African Violets in Your Camper

African Violets thrive in temperatures between 70 and 75 degrees, which is perfect for a motorhome. Although you can try your hand at planting African Violet seeds and waiting for them to germinate (anywhere from 9 to 60 days depending on the conditions) we would suggest RVers go the established seedling route. Bringing you one step closer to a burst of color on the road.

Here's what you'll need:

  • 4 inch plastic or ceramic pot
  • Tray to drain water
  • African Violet potting mix
  • African Violet seedlings

Here's how to do it:

  1. Loosely fill the pot with potting mix
  2. Gently transplant seedlings to the pot
  3. Repack soil in the pot (African Voilets like to feel well rooted in
    their container)
  4. Place water tray beneath the pot
  5. Water and drain afterwards

This plant generally blooms for nine months and rests for the remainder of the year. Just remember to water them well, and dry them out afterwards by draining the water tray. Keep them in great condition by pruning the bits that look ugly. Just cut them off.

Kitchen Windowsill Herbs

You can also try an RV kitchen windowsill herb garden. Oregano, thyme, and basil travel well. Purchase a container that is both suitable for your RV kitchen display shelf or window ledge, and capable of supporting the growth of the herb. Be sure to use the right potting mix for your herbs as well. Some gardeners recommend using soiless potting mixes to avoid soil born diseases. Good lighting is key.

Here's what you'll need:

  • Herb seeds or plants - oregano, thyme, basil
    varieties
  • Pots or containers
  • Soiless Potting Mix
  • Fertilizer

Here's how to do it:

  1. Fill container about 2/3 of the way with potting mix
  2. Place your seeds inside
  3. Cover the herbs with the rest of the potting mix.(Leave about
    an inch from the top to allow for watering)
  4. Else, repot seedlings to the appropriate containers and care
    with water and light

Going mobile shouldn't turn your green thumb black. Gardening on the go is simple, earth friendly and a great way to liven up your RV. You'll be amazed at what else you can grow in a bag, on a windowsill, or in a Styrofoam cup!

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