How Long Do I Soak the Sponge for the Chia Herb Garden?

History

• In the late 1970s, an ambitious young San Franciscan negotiated the rights to a little pottery ram manufactured in Mexico. The body, ridged to hold a mushy mix of peat and seeds of a variety of salvia common as weeds in the Southwest, developed a covering of green sprouts within a few weeks. The little animals sold well, but the previous owner had not practiced particularly effective manufacturing oversight and had lost money in the venture. The young marketer Joe Pedott turned the Chia Pet into the first of a series of simple but creative novelties sold using inexpensive television time that became the cornerstone of his company, Joseph Enterprises.

Chia's Herb Garden

• True to the Chia pet tradition, the herb garden contains everything but water and a sunny windowsill. Three 2-inch pots and lined saucers provide attractive containers, and plastic tags identify herb varieties. Six packets of seeds offer a choice of herbs to start in the pots. Rather than include messy potting soil, the Chia garden contains three composition sponges composed of peat and bark in a resilient sponge material.

Hydrating the Sponge

• Instructions in the herb garden box suggest soaking the Chia sponge for one minute. The sponge material establishes an environment that balances air and moisture when compressed or stretched into the pot. Sponges may need less time to hydrate because their packing seals moisture in. Longer soaking, however, might dislodge peat and is unnecessary. Seeds germinate on top of sponges, except for chives. Once seeds start, plastic-lined saucers hold water supplies to keep sponges moist.

Growing Herbs

• The sponge allows more growing space for roots than soil, making it a more efficient medium in the small pots. Trimming herbs for regular use keeps herbs growing compactly, making the window sill garden practical. Herbs that outgrow their little pots can easily move to larger pots or outdoor planter, sponge and all, with minimum disturbance of the roots.