Thanks to all the crazy weather we have had this year, some of my onions bolted early. What that means is that the onion plant has created a flower stalk, and is preparing to sow its seed, effectively ending its life cycle. When this happens, the onions need to be harvested and used quickly, as they will not store well.
I did harvest about 60% of my onions yesterday to avoid them becoming nothing more than food for the slugs that seem to prefer them above all else. I saved the bloom ends in a jar so that I might enjoy the natural beauty of their flowers even though they won’t be in the garden.
What to do with all of these tasty onions… I’m thinking a flaky onion tart might be in my future.
stay tuned.
This weekend I set up my indoor seed starting area.
There are many ways to create an area to start seeds indoors (and I have tried most of them), but this system has been the easiest and most cost-effective method I’ve found, which is why my setup is making a return appearance exactly as I used it last year. As the old adage goes, if it ain’t broke…
[click to continue…]
Nothing compares to the satisfaction of growing a garden. Whether your garden is made up of containers on a city fire escape, a few square feet in a suburban raised bed, or a quarter-acre of freshly tilled earth on a rural homestead, there is something undeniably fulfilling about growing your own food.
If you are a first time gardener, I have a few suggestions to get you started on the right foot. While each situation is unique, these tips will serve as a good starting point from which you can make adjustments based on your needs.
[click to continue…]
Happy Good News Friday!
This week I have to feature a video that I saw a few days ago. In it, three Irish guys do a cover of one of the most iconic television theme songs in decades. Not only it is brilliantly done, it starts off with a musical intro that was ripped off from Journey’s “Faithfully” which makes it doubly good in my book.
[click to continue…]
No matter what the weather looks like outside right now, you can do your part to help usher in spring by planning your spring garden. In most areas, you have about three months before you can begin planting outdoors in earnest, but a little daydreaming along with some planning and preparation now will go a long way in April.
Location
The location of your garden will dictate what you can grow to a certain extent. A perfect vegetable garden location should receive no less than six hours of full sunlight per day, but don’t let that stop you if your available space gets less than that. There are plenty of edibles that do just fine in partial shade situations, so look for shade-friendly plants and you will be off to a good start. My good friend Shawna Coronado grows a beautiful vegetable garden in the shade each year.
Soil
If you are starting a new garden, chances are the soil is going to have plenty of room for improvement. Now is a good time to do a soil test to see exactly what your soil needs, but starting with a good amendment of compost or composted manure will be a step in the right direction. The soil should be tilled and worked to a depth of no less than 12” unless you will be using an alternative gardening method like raised beds, containers, or lasagna gardening. The soil in your new garden should drain well, meaning that water should not pool on the surface of the soil for more than a few minutes before draining away.
Plants
We all have plants that we love and will naturally want to incorporate into the landscape at home, but it is important first make sure that those plants are well-suited to grow in our spring garden. check the seed packet, plant label, or ask the pros at your local garden center for guidance. Don’t forget to also make note of the spacing requirements and resist the urge to overcrowd your plants. They will thank you for it in the long run and you will save yourself a lot of time and energy later.
