This post is on my "farm" in recycled plastic bottle at home. Inspired by kevinwong on home farming/urban farming
In Shanghai where I live, there is no system for collecting used plastic bottles. Every plastic bottle is down the drain. Even though there are recycle bins, but when I took a peek in the bins, it is still mixed waste and not segregated waste. That is the same as Singapore where I grew up. So different from when I was in Austria, where Austrians really do place the waste plastic bottles in the right bins.
I like it that the plastic bottles are given a new lease of life. Instead of buying new pots, why not reuse plastic bottles as pots! We even saved up some of our orange, apple, pear and water melon seeds, even green beans and just threw it into the bottles. "Good soil" was borrowed from a friend of mine living in Shanghai who have a real farm. Using uncontaminated soil is important if you plan to eat them! Occasionally, I also pick up leaves that fell in the park and put into the plastic bottles for extra nutrients. Currently, I have been plucking spring onion from my own plant as ingredients for my meals. They also look pretty at my balcony! AND EVERYTHING FREE.
Ever since we did this together, my little one has been very enthusiastic. She watered them every day in the morning. While watering, she say cute things like “drink drink apple”. I guess she said this because she was the one who threw the apple seed in and can actually see the connection. I think it is a great way to engage in and educate the little ones in giving them responsibilities. I also find it a great way to educate them on the importance of environment. So, I strongly encourage you to do this with your little one. To me (a lazy mum), at least it is easier than getting a pet to teach them on responsibilities.
So do try it some of these days. The seeds will take some times to grow. But with patience, you will be secretly pleased with yourself for seeing tiny little green leaves sprouting out of the seeds. Or if you already knew this, could you please let me know which food or fruits are easy to grow at home? Thanks!
