~ firefly-dreaming a virtual home to learn (or teach!) alternative methods of solving problems we find facing us each day. By sharing ideas & knowledge on living with less stress, more joy & embracing tolerance & compassion we are working towards building a sustainable future for all living beings.
Both
<--leeks & onions -->
are biennials usually grown as annuals.
Leeks are milder flavored than most other onion-family crops, you can mulch long-season varieties in fall for winter and spring harvest. Long-season varieties have a dark, bluish-green color.
Whether harvested early for scallions (green onions), for summer meals, or winter storage, onions need rich, well-drained soil and good weed control. Tightly spaced green onions fit well in ornamental plantings.
When onions are first planted, their growth is concentrated on new roots and green leaves or tops. The onion will first form a top and then when a specific combination of daylight, darkness, and temperature is reached, bulb formation starts. The size of the mature onion bulb is dependent on the number and size of the tops. For each leaf, there will be a ring of onion; the larger the leaf, the larger the ring will be.
(all photos may be clicked to see a larger version)
The Root of the Matter There are two types of plant roots used for storage: taproots and tubers. Taproots are enlarged, vertically descending roots from which other, smaller roots may sprout laterally, while tuberous roots are lateral roots enlarged for storage purposes.
Carrots, beets, turnips, and radishes are taproots; sweet potatoes are tuberous roots. Traditional potatoes (Irish or white potatoes) are not actually roots at all: they are underground stems called stolons that have become swollen with stored starch.
Root crops are popular with both commercial growers and home gardeners because they're versatile, delicious, and in many cases, perfect for canning or over-winter storage. Beets, Radishes, Turnips, and Carrots contain numerous vitamins and nutrients, offer a wide range of flavors and textures, can be enjoyed raw or cooked, and are wonderfully easy to grow!
When choosing which Beets or Radishes to grow there are several factors you will want to take into consideration. First of all, both come in a variety of interesting shapes and beautiful colors, so pick whatever appeals to your eye! Also, Radishes offer varying degrees of heat and Beets have flavors that range from earthy to sweet. Smaller Beets are usually the best for canning and pickling, and many people enjoy the nutritious Beet greens as well as the root itself. As far as choosing a type of Carrot to plant, you will be deciding mostly by color and shape.
(ALL pictures can be clicked on to see larger versions)
<--Cabbage
and Kale-->
are cool-season vegetables high in nutrients, low in calories, and very tolerant of frost. They are used in many of the world's cuisines - think egg rolls, sauerkraut, and stuffed cabbage, to name just a few! - and some varieties are ideal as ornamental annual plants. They come in a wide range of colors, head shapes, and flavors, so you are certain to find a favorite among the many delicious (and beautiful) varieties!
When you're deciding what variety of Cabbage or Kale to plant in your garden, your decision will be mainly based on your taste and storage needs. Large-headed late Cabbages usually store well and are good for cooking, proving especially appropriate for turning into sauerkraut. Savoy and conical types are more tender and therefore good for slaws and salads, while Chinese cabbage is heat tolerant and quite versatile - it's delicious cooked or raw! As far as choosing a Kale, green ones tend to be sweeter while red varieties are somewhat more appealing to the eye. Red Kale also contains anthocyanins, an antioxidant!
Please see the updated version of this essay HERE.
If you want vegetables that are loaded with vitamins and nutrients as well as delicious flavors and beautiful, eye-catching colors, look no further than the numerous varieties of Broccoli and Cauliflower! These really are "super-veggies", packing a healthy punch in every scrumptious bite, offering heavy yields so you'll have plenty of fresh produce for every meal, and proving hardy and versatile enough to satisfy everyone!
All Broccoli and Cauliflower are packed with vitamins and nutrients, so when choosing what varieties to grow, you'll base your decision mostly on size and color. There are several compact types that don't require a lot of space, so they're the best choice for a limited gardening area. Heat tolerance is also a factor, especially for those living in the south. And if you're wanting to get your children to eat more healthy veggies, you might want to look at the more colorful, fun varieties!
From farmers' markets and supermarkets to gourmet restaurants and backyard gardens, Leafy Greens are popular. There's a world of terrific options when it comes to choosing which types of Lettuce and Greens to grow. They come in various textures - from crunchy to tender and smooth to frilly, they offer flavors from sweet to pungent and come in beautiful colors ranging through all shades of green and red. They're versatile and fast growing, can be harvested at most any stage, are delicious raw or cooked, and in warmer climates can be grown year-round. For flavor, beauty, nutrition, and ease of cultivation, you can't beat the numerous, wonderful varieties of Lettuce and Greens! And they're completely scrumptious too!
before you can get growing there is one thing you must have.... SEEDs!
when i started gardening there were only a couple places you could buy "good quality seed"... the local hardware store or the local feed & seed store.
now, it seems, seeds are for sale at almost every store you go to- the dollar store, the big-box stores... even grocery stores often have seeds.
the question is- are all seeds the same?
little did i know when i started but most seed from the local feed & seed store have been treated with chemicals. at that time organics was NOT a very well known concept. almost all gardens were planted in rows (about 18 inches apart) & seeds for home gardeners came in packages designed to plant 100 foot row. if you ran out of seed before you ran out of row you were planting too close!
a quick photo essay on seed starting....
(these pictures will open in another window if you'd like to view full size)
i finally got a seed heat mat (that's it on the left)
and a seed tray w/humidity cover...
well actually i got 2.
for years i just cut toilet paper rolls in half (paper towel rolls in 4)
cut 4 slits in their ends & fold up like a box....
it's been 13 yrs since i've started seeds. i hope this works!
