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The Results Are In….

July 26th, 2012

All of the ‘Copra’ onions have finally be harvested. If you remember, this year I’m experimenting to see which method of growing onions works best. I started ‘Copra’ seed back in late January. Plants of the same variety were also purchased from Johnny’s Seeds. Seeds were also sowed directly in the garden in March when I transplanted the ones from the seed starting area.

As expected, the onions grown from seed started in winter produced the biggest onions. The direct seeded onions might have been bigger had I thinned them, but I completely forgot to do so until it was too late. I’m going to save the small onions to plant next spring as sets, we’ll see how that works out. It’s amazing how they were all ready to harvest at roughly the same time.

From top to bottom:

  • direct seeded in garden on March 2
  • purchased plants transplanted in the garden on April 13
  • started in late January & transplanted in the garden March 24


I always figured that starting onions from seed would produce the best onions. After reading about how onions are treated with so many pesticides, fungicides and other chemicals I have decided that all my onions will be grown from seed. The plants I purchased from Johnny’s Seeds were from Dixondale farms. After reading on their website that they recommend using fungicides every two weeks to control blight and fungus I decided I really wan’t comfortable using their plants in the garden. It’s worth it to me, to take the time to start mine so I can ensure that my onions aren’t sprayed with fungicides, pesticides and other chemicals.

Now that all the onions are harvested it’s time to store them. I’m keeping all of the types separate to see which of the above store best. I’m also trying a few different storage methods. Most will be stored in shallow wooden boxes. I did braid some, both because they’re very pretty and I figure the old-timers probably knew a little something about keeping onions all winter. Seems to me the air circulation around onion braids hung from the ceiling would be much better than for those stored in a basket or crate. I’ll let you know.

Now it’s time to harvest all the red ‘Zepellin’ onions that were planted back in April as well. I’ve never grown many red onions because I’ve found they don’t store quite as long as yellow onions. This variety promises to store well so we shall see. When it comes to cooking I’m not choosy about the color/type of onion, I like them all. As long as I have onions in the pantry I’m one happy camper.

Do you like red, white, or yellow onions best?

Who Needs Flowers?

July 25th, 2012

Who needs flowers when you can have a vase of beet greens? I’ve been harvesting some of my golden beets recently and we’ve been enjoying them roasted. Since we eat the beet greens, I put them in a vase with some water to keep them fresh until the next morning. They get sautéed with garlic and onions, with eggs poached on top.


That’s one of the things I love about beets, you can eat the roots and the leaves. It always makes me feel like I’m getting a lot bang for garden space when I grow beets! It’s like a double harvest.

Do you grow beets? Do you eat the greens?

Jury Duty Again?

July 24th, 2012

I must be of the perfect demographic or something because I’m always being called for jury duty. A couple years ago I was on a federal grand jury. That meant that every fourth week I had to drive to Cleveland, a one hour forty-five minute drive) for 1-3 days during that week. This went on for 18 months. Needless to say, it was a HUGE hassle. Some things I heard were interesting and eye opening. I’ve taken an oath of secrecy and can never talk about them and they burned out notebooks after our stint was over. Last year I was summoned to state jury duty up in Akron for a 3 month period.

Just last week I got jury summons for Sept 2012-August 2013 for our county. I was also called for county jury duty during my term of federal grand jury so I got off the hook a few years ago. I’m not sure why I get the ‘privilege’ of being called all the time, Mr Chiots has never been summoned for jury duty. I am more than happy to participate as my civic duty, but it’s getting a little ridiculous.

Have you ever served on a jury?

Asparagus and Beans – A Winning Combo

July 23rd, 2012

In the past couple years I’ve been reading a lot about permaculture. As a result, I’m always searching for more effective ways to implement it’s ideas into the garden. This spring I was reading a non-permaculture article reading recommended a higher nitrogen fertilizer once harvests stopped and the foliage was allowed to grow.

Instead of adding a high nitrogen fertilizer, I was going to underplant the asparagus with clover. This would both provide nitrogen and protect the soil. Before I got it planted, I ran out of space in the edible garden for my green beans. Off went the lightbulb in my head and I planted them by the asparagus. The asparagus greened up nicely once the beans took root. When the beans are done producing they’ll be pulled and laid around the asparagus to provide an overwintering mulch to protect the soil. If I have comfrey to harvest at that time it’s leaves will be added as well.

I love discovering ways to maximize the small space by layering edibles. An added bonus is saving money by not having to buy a fertilizer. Any time I can keep the circle of the garden closed I’m one happy gardener. Like what goes on my plate, I like knowing exactly where every input in the garden comes from!

If you’re not familiar with permaculture, I’d highly recommend reading about it. Check your local library to see if they have a copy of Gaia’s Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture. I had our library’s copy so much that I finally just purchased one. Mr Chiots is reading our copy of this book and is loving it (not bad for a guy that’s not really interested in gardening). He’s already talking of implementing the apple guild next spring in Maine. Perhaps I’ll have him write a blog post about it this winter as he’s planning!

Have you ever heard of permaculture? If so, are you implementing any of it’s principles in your garden?

Quote of the Day: Stone Walls

July 22nd, 2012

History is about leaving our mark. The old settlers’ mark is a bunch of tilting gravestones and some broken down stone walls, and I wonder if, as they heaved rocks onto the intricately fitted walls, they thought about us, the future, or were they just trying to get those stones out of the field. Whatever their motive, they left a mark with their lives. And we leave one with ours.

Linda Tatlbaum from Carrying Water as a Way of Life: A Homesteader’s History



I always notice stone walls when we’re out and about, especially the old ones. Perhaps it’s because I’m a stone wall builder myself. When I build a stone wall I’m not necessarily thinking about it being here in a few years, I’m more doing it because I love the look and I have a ton of rocks on hand.


Gardening organically is something I do with future generations in mind. I know not using chemicals in the garden is healthier for me, but I know that it will make a big difference to the generations that come after me. They are also on my mind as I blog to encourage others to go organic.

What kinds of things do you do for the sake of future generations?

About

This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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