Okay, so people kept asking why I even started Project Nugget last month. Honestly? Just felt annoyed watching my garden get wrecked by squirrels digging up all the corn seeds. Total waste of time replanting that crap. Figured there’s gotta be a smarter way to plant stuff without turning into squirrel buffet delivery.
The Idiot-Proof Setup
First thing Monday, I grabbed a bunch of empty plastic coffee cans from recycling – those big ones. Drilled holes in the bottoms with my busted old drill that smokes sometimes. Stole some gravel from my neighbor’s driveway (he owes me for borrowing my lawnmower anyway) and dumped that in first for drainage. Then layered dead leaves I swept up from the patio. Didn’t buy anything yet except cheap dirt bags at the dollar store.
Tossed like four corn kernels into each can just spaced apart, not deep, barely covered ’em. Set all six cans on my porch table out back where they get maybe five hours of sun tops. Sprayed water straight from the hose every morning while drinking cold coffee. No strategy, literally winging it.
When Shit Actually Grew
Checked after ten days expecting nothing but dumb dirt piles. Saw these tiny green nubs poking out already in three cans! Shoved my face right up to ’em like a weirdo. Roots were tangling through the gravel like they were glued in there. Meanwhile, the crap I planted directly in the ground? Yeah, squirrels got most again.
Week three, these plants went wild – stems shot up thicker than my pinky. Cans started looking too small so I sliced ’em open vertically with my kitchen knife (wife yelled about that). Dirt stayed stuck together like a lumpy cake. Didn’t fall apart at all when I dropped one… accidentally.
Why This Works For Lazy People
Okay, so why’s this dumb can project useful for anyone? First off:
- Costs basically nothing – Used trash containers, didn’t buy fancy equipment
- Kid can manage it – Spray water whenever, doesn’t need schedules
- Squirrels can’t sniff out the seeds – Gravel layer masks the smell somehow
- Portable AF – Slide cans away if storms hit or pests come sniffing
Biggest shock? Harvested mini ears this week despite the lazy care. Smaller than store garbage but tasted sweet raw. Didn’t plan for benefits but realized anyone without yard space, bad soil, or critter problems could replicate this insanity. Still using cans for carrots now. Just glad something finally worked without turning into rocket science.