Matchstick Garden
I bought this little UK product, The Matchstick Garden, while out shopping for project supplies at a bourgeoisie cooking store in my neighborhood the other day. Those fancy stores with their beautifully packaged products and their well-appointed displays get me every time.
It was in one of those well-appointed displays that I saw them, pretty little matchbooks with small seed-embedded “matches” inside that can be torn off and germinated in soil. Each “match” holds approximately 3 or 4 seeds which when multiplied by 10 amounts to about 40 seeds at best. A good pack of organic lettuce seeds usually holds about 200 seeds, often much more. Clearly this product is more about cuteness — it would make a fun gift for a new gardener but is hardly about functionality or economy.
Still, this is a product that knows how to go directly for my Achilles heel with the triple threat of cuteness, novelty, and nice design. It’s a slightly impractical product that I don’t need and yet I still bought it. And then I took a picture of it and came here to tell you about it.
Makers of Matchstick Garden: 1
Me: -$2.99
August 21st, 2008 at 9:47 am
Ah, I too would have fallen prey to the cuteness and happily parted with my $3. And perhaps just carry it in my purse for a few months…
August 21st, 2008 at 10:59 am
very cute, but I don’t believe bee piss would make for good fertilizer.
August 21st, 2008 at 11:52 am
I saw these at paper-ya in Granville island the other day.. was very hard not to buy them!!
August 21st, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I’ve been attracted to this idea for years, but have resisted buying one because I’m too cheap…er…frugal.
Would love it if you planted a few and let us know if they grow nicely.
I wonder about making a DIY version of this to give out at birthday parties. What type of adhesive would hold a seed to a piece of cardboard without damaging the seed or reducing its efficacy?
August 21st, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Juggling Frogs: A mix used for stamps would work… although I believe that is often made using gelatin. White glue is often used in making seed tape.
August 21st, 2008 at 3:16 pm
I think you can justify your purchase as research for your blog readers. The rest of us have no excuse!
August 21st, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I’ve seen these as an option for wedding favors and we’ve decided they are perfect for our farm wedding! It was either these or seed packets in all liklihood.
August 21st, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Awww…. :-)))
August 21st, 2008 at 10:22 pm
one may be frivolous for 2.99….I can even explain away 299!
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:01 am
Couldn’t you make your own paper and then, during the process, infuse the bottom edge with seeds? Then, when the paper is dry, cut it into strips to be used as markers/seed-carrying-devices. I guess that’s a bit more work than white glue and cardboard….
August 22nd, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Now this is totally new to me and I have a big goofy grin on my face reading about it !
I might not be able to resist it either .. too darn cute !
Joy
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:15 pm
You do have to admit, they really are cute, huh? Wonder if there are any in my area.
August 23rd, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Fern, I haven’t had much luck with wildflower seeded paper. Very few seeds actually seem to germinate after they’ve been through the paper making process… Has anyone else had luck with these kinds of paper? Is it just a gimmick??
August 23rd, 2008 at 8:40 pm
It is cute, but I agree not very practical.. and for the price too.
August 25th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
I got a pack for my birthday last year and just planted the sticks a couple days (weeks??) ago and they are sprouting. May not be the more practical thing in the world, but super fun.
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Now that is just really cute! A perfect stocking stuffer for gardeners. :)
September 11th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
I too think they are too cute to leave them at the store
September 19th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Cute! Great gift! I would use it just to see if it works, or if the seeds were a new variety