🧅 Grow Green Onions Forever (From One Bunch!)

 

     

                                                                        Credit: Pexels.com

We call it sive here in Trinidad. (Yes, it’s spelled chives, but pronounced to rhyme with hive—because Caribbean gardening doesn’t always follow the rules!)

This one’s so easy, you’ll wonder why you ever stopped buying it.

Actually—don’t stop. Keep buying it. Because once you do this trick once, you’ll never need to again. Welcome to the magical, budget-friendly world of forever sive.

                                                                Credit: Pexels.com

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🌱 Why Sive (Green Onions) Are the Perfect Beginner Herb

• You can regrow them from the bunch you already bought at the grocery or farmers' market.

• They grow happily in containers—sunny windowsills included.

• They’re fast! You’ll see regrowth in just a few days.

                                                                    Credit: Pixabay

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🪴 What You’ll Need

• A bunch of sive with the white roots still attached

• A glass or jar + clean water

• A pot with drainage holes + soil (for longer-term growing)

• Sunlight (windowsill, balcony, or anywhere bright)

  

  Credit: Pexels.com

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🌊 Step-by-Step: How to Regrow Sive from Scraps

1. Trim the tops and use the green part in your cooking.

2. Place the white root ends in a glass with enough water to cover the roots.

3. Set the glass in a sunny spot. Within 2–3 days, you’ll see green shoots!

4. Change the water every couple of days to keep things fresh.

Once the greens are about 4–5 inches tall, you can:

• Keep harvesting straight from the glass, OR

• Plant them in soil for stronger growth and more longevity.

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🌿 Care Tips

• Water: Keep the soil moist but not soggy.

• Sunlight: At least 4–6 hours of sun. 

• Feeding: A little compost tea or diluted fertilizer now and then is great.

• Harvesting: Snip what you need with scissors, leaving 1–2 inches behind so it keeps growing, or just harvest the outer leaves.

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🍳 Kitchen Ideas

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Toss them in scrambled eggs, fried rice, soups, salads—you name it. Homegrown sive tastes fresher and has more zing than anything in a plastic sleeve.

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💚 Why You'll Love This

It’s instant garden confidence. It’s zero-waste. And it’s proof that you can grow your own food—starting right now.

Let your sive be the gateway to your happy garden dance!

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Happy Gardening🌿

The Grey-Haired Gardener🌸

🌿 Herb It Up! The Beginner’s Guide to Growing Your Own Flavour

                                             

                Photo : Tray of herb  transplants    Credit: Pexels.com               

You don’t need acres of land or a green thumb to grow something tasty—just a sunny spot, a few pots, and a little curiosity.

Welcome to my new blog series where we take the mystery (and the misery!) out of growing herbs at home. Whether you’ve killed a cactus or you’re just tired of buying wilted basil at the grocery, this is for you.

We’re starting small—but powerful. These herbs pack a flavour punch and are surprisingly easy to grow, especially in containers. Perfect for balconies, patios, windowsills, or any little corner that gets some sun.

               Photo of  Rosemary (left) and Mint (right) Plants         Credit: Pexels.com 

Here’s what we’ll be covering in the coming weeks:

• Green onions (or chives, as we call them here)—the comeback kings of the herb world.

• Parsley—flat or curly, this leafy green is more than a garnish.

• Basil—easy, fast, and totally addictive once you start snipping.

• Thyme—low effort, high reward.

• Rosemary—fragrant, hardy, and makes you feel like a pro.

• Mint—fresh, wild, and best kept in its own container unless you like herbal invasions.

• And maybe, just maybe, we’ll explore chadon beni—our beloved Trini treasure.

                                Photo of Parsley Plants         Credit: Pexels.com

Each post will give you the how, the why, and the when—plus quick tips, common issues, and ways to use your harvest. Expect a few handy printables, lots of photos, and a good dose of garden encouragement along the way.

So if you’ve ever wanted to grow your own flavour without drama, you’re in the right place.

                                    Photo of basil plants         Credit : Pexels.com

Dust off those containers. The herb adventure starts now. 🌱 

Happy Gardening!

The Grey Haired Gardener🌸

🪴 From Seed to Sprout: A Beginner’s Guide to Seed Starting

There’s something quietly magical about planting a tiny seed and watching it grow into a thriving plant. It feels like a little act of rebellion against rising food prices and supermarket sameness. If you’ve ever wondered how to start your own seedlings — whether it’s tomatoes, basil, or even your favourite hot pepper — this guide is for you.

I used to think seed starting was for “real gardeners” with greenhouses and fancy grow lights. Not true. If you’ve got seeds, soil, and a container, you’ve already got what it takes.

                     The basic "Seed Starting Starter Kit.”- seed, soil and pots

                                                        Image Credit: Kaboompics from Pexels.com

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🌱 Why Start Seeds Instead of Buying Seedlings?

Starting seeds gives you:

• More variety: You’re not limited to whatever the garden center has.

• Healthier plants: You control what goes into your soil and how they’re grown.

• More bang for your buck: One seed packet can yield dozens of plants.

Plus, starting seeds is an empowering way to truly grow your garden from scratch.

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🪴 What You’ll Need to Start Seeds

You don’t need a lot of fancy gear. Here’s your basic seed starting toolkit:

• Seeds: Choose good-quality, non-expired seeds. Bonus points if they’re heirloom or organic.

• Containers: Recycled yogurt cups, egg cartons, or seed trays work great.

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• Seed-starting mix: This is different from potting soil — it’s lighter and drains well.

• Water and a spray bottle: For gentle watering.

• A warm spot: Seeds love heat. Indoors near a sunny window or porch works for many varieties.                                    

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🌤 Tropical vs Temperate: Timing is Everything

Since I garden in Trinidad and Tobago, our climate lets us start seeds almost any time — but timing still matters.

• Tropical gardeners: Avoid soggy conditions in peak rainy season. Start seeds under cover, like a porch or sheltered area.

• Temperate gardeners: Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost. Use a calendar or seed packet instructions to work backward.

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🧪 The Seed Starting Method (Simple and Foolproof)

                                         Image Credit: Greta Hoffman from Pexels.com

Here’s how I do it, step by step:

1. Moisten the mix before filling your containers. It should feel like a wrung-out sponge.

2. Fill your containers almost to the top.

3. Plant the seeds at the depth recommended on the packet (usually 2–3 times the seed's width).

4. Label everything! Trust me — mystery seedlings are only fun for five minutes.

5. Water gently using a spray bottle or by bottom-watering (placing trays in a shallow dish of water).

6. Place in warmth and light. A sunny windowsill or under grow lights if you have them.

7. Wait and watch. Most seeds germinate in 3–14 days. Keep the mix moist but not soggy.

                                                     Day 1 Planted
 

 

Day 5  Germination                        Day 10  Seedling  

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🌞 After Germination: What to Do Next

Once your seedlings have sprouted:

• Give them more light. They’ll stretch if it’s too dim.

• Thin them out. Keep the strongest seedling per pot.

• Start feeding with a half-strength liquid fertilizer after the first true leaves appear.

• Harden them off before transplanting by gradually introducing them to outdoor conditions.

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📥 Downloadable: Seed Starting Cheatsheet

Want a printable guide you can keep handy? I’ve created a free Seed Starting Cheatsheet just for you.

[ Click here to download the PDF]

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🌼 Ready, Set, Grow

Starting seeds might seem intimidating but trust me — once you see those tiny green sprouts pushing up through the soil, you’ll be hooked. It’s a small, satisfying way to take control of your food and grow something real.

So go ahead — pick a few seeds, gather your containers, and give it a try. Your happy garden dance is just a sprout away 🌱💃

Happy Gardening!🌸

The Grey-Haired Gardener