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In the Onion Patch
LAKE MACBRIDE— The harvest was 100+ spring onions, but that was not the plan. The weeds had taken over the onion patch when I went to pull them yesterday— they were too intertwined with the onions to...
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Working in the Onion Patch
RURAL CEDAR TOWNSHIP— The onion harvest is in at the CSA, and more than two tons of white, red and yellow onions have been arranged in the germination house and barn to dry. Today begins the third day...
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Foggy Kitchen Work
What the hell? The intent was to prepare dinner for my spouse who worked later than me on Saturday. The dish would have onions and tomatoes in it. Those things I knew. From there the culinary session...
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An Iowa Onion Trimmer
Between picture perfect onions and the compost heap lies an opportunity. A friend grows onions using organic practices as part of a Community Supported Agriculture project. Onions are harvested from...
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Poblanos, Onions and Pickles
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,...
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Red Bell Pepper Soup
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...
View ArticleSeptember Slides into Plain Life
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...
View ArticleGarden 2020
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....
View ArticleWinter Lament
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...
View ArticleRefilling the Seed Gaps
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....
View ArticleOnion Experiments
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...
View ArticleWeeding the Onion Patch
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,...
View ArticleWeeds in the House
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...
View ArticleOnions 2020
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...
View ArticleApple Blossom Bloom
The legacy apple trees, the ones I planted in the 1990s, are loaded with buds. A few have opened, although the big bloom is yet to come. 2021 has the potential to be a great year for apples. The pear...
View ArticleAugust is for Onions
The onion harvest is in, sorted, cured and stored. There will be plenty of onions through winter and beyond. The main lessons this year were to plant multiple varieties, keep them weeded and watered,...
View ArticleGardening in 2022
The gardening season kicked off in Big Grove Township with onion and shallot planting on Thursday. I planted two varieties of shallots and five of onions. After consultation with farmer friends, I...
View ArticleGardening Begins
Gardening season has begun! Onions and shallots planted Jan. 6 were ready to come off the heating pad. The only note is shallot seeds from 2020 did not germinate this year. Because I also planted new...
View ArticleShift of Onion Planting
On Saturday I spent seven hours planting onions. The names of onion varieties are delightful: Walla Walla, Red Carpet, Ailsa Craig and Rossa di Milano were started from seed. I emptied the wagon and...
View ArticleSummer Begins
White butterflies flit around cruciferous vegetable plants laying eggs. It is a sure sign summer is here. I spend more time in the garden and noticed increased insect life. In addition to the green...
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