onions
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2020 was the first big experiment in onion growing. Onions are basic to cooking and until this year I relied on others to produce onions for the kitchen. It was time to take a step forward and grow my own. I learned a lot. Planting from seed at home on Feb. 7, Talon and Red… Read more
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I like my lawn. It is a great source of mulch for the garden, although it seems like there is never enough. What is there transitions throughout the growing season. We are currently in clover and around the edges native plants come up like the ones in the photograph. These are weeds, but they look… Read more
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I’m determined to grow shallots and onions this year. I took the solar powered radio to the onion patch, took down the fence, and weeded until it was done. The onion starts purchased from the home, farm and auto supply store are growing but not yet forming bulbs. The shallots growing from seed look like… Read more
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Growing large storage onions has been challenging. I yearn to grow large onions and use them throughout the year. Spring onions? No problem. Larger red, yellow or white, the kind we most use in the kitchen, have eluded me. I’m determined this year will be different. Toward that end I’ve launched some experiments to see… Read more
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One batch of onion seeds germinated poorly so I seeded the failed blocks with Cilantro, Parsley and Dill. Cilantro, Ferry-Morse, 28 days. Parsley, Ferry-Morse, 70-90 days. Dill, Ferry-Morse, 70 days. This is my first attempt to grow onions at home and there’s a lot to learn. Once the seeds germinated, I moved them upstairs into… Read more
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January and February are usually months to read books. I’m working on my fourth but it seems like I’m running behind. Political work has taken a bite out of my time. Ambient temperatures have been warm. Absent a cold spell of temperatures below zero, I’m planning to prune our fruit trees this coming cycle of… Read more
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Friday I planted the first seeds in trays at home. They were, Onions Talon, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, 104 days. Red Burgundy, Ferry-Morse, 100 days. Shallots Matador, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, 105 days. I’m experimenting with shallots this year. My friend Simone grew them so I know they can be grown in Iowa. I’m also planting them… Read more
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What happened in September? We are in peak apple season at the orchard where I’ve been working more hours compared to August. Time at the home farm and auto supply store continues to be predictable work and a regular paycheck. I’m working more volunteer hours in politics as the general election is just six weeks… Read more
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The abundance of tomatoes, bell peppers and onions is leading to a pot of soup featuring those ingredients. There is no recipe — I used ingredients already in the ice box. I cut up a bag of onion seconds and sauteed them in extra virgin olive oil until translucent; poured in a quart and a half… Read more
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JOHNSON COUNTY, Iowa — In the margins of time between social engagements lives a local food movement available to all who seek it. There is inadequate time in life’s span to become an enthusiast, however pursuit of local food culture is not only okay, it can be rewarded with meals that comfort more ways than… Read more
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