skip to main content

Cottage Gardens

MeMo - Wanna see my new seed planter? (1 pic)

15 years ago

Hi MeMo and everyone. A month or two ago we were discussing planters made of PVC pipe and I posted a picture of the one I had used to plant sunflower seeds last year.

I just finished a new version and here's a photo:

{{gwi:603642}}

I still have to drop each seed into the funnel by hand, but the planter will now dig into the soil and open up to release the seed. I haven't actually tried it yet, so wish me luck.

There's a brief blog entry here if anyone wants to read a little bit more, and if you want to see details and more pictures, you can see those too.

ThinMan

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

schoolhouse_gw
15 years ago
I smell patent!
little_dani
15 years ago
When are you going to try it out? Is it not time to plant stuff there?

Janie
Related Discussions
Wanna see what's bloomin'?
Q
Comments (13)
pippi21 - the blue flax was a little disappointing at first--the foliage is so very delicate and the flowers only about 1/4" in diameter but I do like the color. I had potted up my WS containers but ended up mooshing them all together in just two pots because you really need lots of them for them to be noticeable. I think you're right about planting them between other plants for the support but haven't decided yet where I want them. I might plant them with Cupid's dart--they're the same blue and almost the same height and would likely make a nice combination. Brad - I love the ladybells too but in full sun they got as tall as I am which I wasn't expecting. In part shade they get about 3-4 ft. tall. I've heard they self-seed so I'll be on the lookout next year. The white flowers in the first picture (with the red Maltese cross) are astilbe.
...See More
Wanna see something crazy cool?
Q
Comments (31)
Hi Frank! I just can't remember if the pictured Little Devil gave out 3 scapes but one of them did. Two bulbs gave out 2 scapes and 1 gave out 3 scapes. So much beauty coming out from that tiny bulb. The last pic is "Little Variegate" (translated from Japanese to English) It is a Japanese super miniature hybrid. It is one of the "tea cup" varieties. It is looking to have H. reticulatum striatifolium in it's genes. You'll fall in love with Mrs. Garfield once you see it's very first leaf come out. It is a beautiful plant even without flowers. Compact leaves and LOVES to give out babies too. So if you take care of it good, you'll have this potful of variegated leaves in 1-2 seasons. The flower would be your "trophy".
...See More
New Jalabanero F1 & F2 pics, plus scary face pepper!
Q
Comments (7)
Well I know that the F1 was successful. I'll be happy to send you a pepper or two, you can taste both peppers. The F2s I have all have a heavier JalapeÃ±o flavor with literally no Habanero flavor as you have pointed out. The whole crazy hybrid some old trait become dominant. I had the parent isolated for the first bunch of peppers so maybe next years F2 peppers will turn out better. One of my F2s however still carried over the 2 pods per node trait. I'll try to take a picture of that when I get home.
...See More
NEW: All My Bloomin' Friends Seed Swap-April
Q
Comments (98)
Hello ladies and...too bad no gents here. I don't remember. DID we ever have any gentlemen sign up for our bigger group? Anyway...I DO DIgress, eh? UPDATE: Carrie Ann, I received your package today. Thank you for the yummy smelling vanilla bean simmering waffle bar. I like the smell of vanilla VERY much. Thank you also for the very pretty wind chimes. Pink with silver etching--just beautiful. I didn't put them out today after school, though, as the wind was reeealy blowing, and I was afraid something would happen to them. I will see what tomorrow holds. I googled the brodiaea Queen Fabiola bulbs that you sent. I was really clueless.(what's new sometimes) They look like my favorite color of blue!!! THANK you! I esPECially loved your letter. So newsy and sweet. Plus a nice selection of seeds to divide between our friends. Beth, your seeds are here, too, along with a number of fulfilled wishes. I want to thank you for the darling little soft brown puppy with the dark brown ears and wearing BUNNY EARS! It is so darn cute! Poor thing is trying to lug around this clear carrot filled with jelly bean eggs. Patty, I forgot to thank you for the seeds that you sent to me-tall green nicotiana and milk chocolate foxglove. I am absolutely THRILLED!!! As I have said to the rest of you, I think you will also be happy when you see what seeds you will be getting, too. Since this thread is so close to 100, I believe I will be starting back at 1 sometime this evening. I need to compose a new intro. then I will post a list of who is in the seed swap along with whose seeds have arrived here and who has yet to send. See you elsewhere! Mary Ellen/Mellen
...See More
thinman
Original Author
15 years ago
Janie - We just had frosts Saturday and Sunday nights, so it's still a little too early for warm weather things like corn, beans, sunflowers, pumpkins, squash, etc. June 1 is my usual target date for those - earlier if there is a good weather forecast. I already have peas, onions, and potatoes planted, so I'm kind of between plantings right now.

Schoolhouse - Do you know any good patent attorneys that would work for flowers and veggies?

TM
schoolhouse_gw
15 years ago
No. Don't know any attorneys or even how the patent system works, altho I know it can be expensive to try to get one. Both attorney and patent. Oh wait a minute! You were kidding, I just now got the "would work for flowers and veggies" bit.
Sheesh I'm slow this morning. Good one, TM. :)
downeastwaves
15 years ago
Nice Rig ThinMan good luck with it!Leasa
memo3
15 years ago
Thin Man,

I imagine this new seed planter took a lot of thought and time to put together. It looks very functional, and shiny new, LOL!! By now you've probably had time to try it out, how does it work?! Does your hand get tired pulling the trigger after long periods of time?

Old fashioned ingenuity at work...love it! Nice work TM.

MeMo
todancewithwolves
15 years ago
ROTF ... TM you never cease to amaze me! I too smell patent.
thinman
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, Leasa, MeMo, and Edna. I'll get back to you when I have tried it.

Was it Cameron who was joking about an engineer making some complicated device to do a simple task? I kept thinking about that as I was building this. I was also thinking that if one needs to do the simple task a few thousand times, it might be worth it to have the device to help. We'll see.

TM
memo3
15 years ago
There is a niche in the market for everything, TM. There are literally millions of aging Boomers out there in retirement or getting ready to retire and a good many of them have aching backs, there is certainly room for your seed planter. I love mine even though it's the simple version. Thanks for sharing the design for it, with all of us.

MeMo
DYH
15 years ago
TM -- ingenious! I think Warren Buffet might want to help you with a startup company.

Seriously, I do think that if it works for you all season that you could sell millions of those to gardeners. It's a more precise, and less back-bending way to seed. It looks LOGICAL -- and LOGICAL is what I understand.

Cameron
aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
15 years ago
What a great little invention you've come up with TM, with the amount of planting you do your back's going to love it :o).

Annette

Related Stories

BEFORE AND AFTERS See 6 Yards Transformed by Losing Their Lawns

By Annie Thornton

Wondering whether a turf lawn is the best use of your outdoor space? These homeowners did, and they found creative alternatives

DECORATING GUIDES Uncover Your Junk's Hidden Decorating Potential — Scads of DIY Ideas

By Samantha Schoech

Release your typewriter's inner planter or a drum set's coffee table. These creative ideas will have you seeing the possibilities

FARM YOUR YARD Houzz Call: Home Farmers, Show Us Your Edible Gardens

By Stacy Briscoe

We want to see where your tomatoes, summer squashes and beautiful berries are growing this summer

GARDENING GUIDES The Surprising Ingredients Every Good Garden Should Have

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

See what to do — and not do — for lasting rewards in your landscape

LIFE Share Your Winter Storm Jonas Photos and Survival Tips!

By Becky Harris

Let’s see your pictures and hear your ideas on how you’re keeping your house warm and staving off cabin fever

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow Your Own Sweet Summer Crops

By Marianne Lipanovich

This guide will help any gardener get started on growing the freshest warm-season veggies and berries for summer

FARM YOUR YARD How to Farm Your Parking Strip

By Annie Thornton

Get an up-close look at a thriving street-side edible garden, one of many sprouting up in Seattle

MOST POPULAR 20 Outstanding Outdoor Living Rooms

Why give up style and comfort just because you add fresh air? Turn any porch or patio into a sumptuous room by following these leads

Ideabook 911: I Need Help Staging for Resale

By Becky Harris

SPRING GARDENING Summer Crops: How to Grow Strawberries

By Marianne Lipanovich

Pluck your own sweet strawberries right from the garden vine for smoothies, salads or eating then and there

Sponsored