Monday, January 28, 2008

Onions inside

Onions will grow just about anywhere. They can be started from seed (which must be done now for transplanting outside in May) or by purchasing small starts in May for transplanting into the garden. These are usually small and dried up looking. But don't worry, most (95%) will grow into full-size onions. But inside, onion tops can be grown for seasoning and looks by purchasing any store onion and slicing off only 1/2 of it. Lay the lower half (the one with roots) on top of a growing medium, place in a sunny spot, and water well. Keep moist. It will produce more roots, the extra onion parts will dry up and the little green center will grow into long spires. After they are up a couple of inches, bury the old onion cut piece with more soil. When harvesting, cut a spire off at the base. If cut haircut style across all the spires, the onion will dry down from the cut and will take a long time to re-sprout. If cut off at the base, it encourages more sprouts to form quickly. If you don't cut the spires at all, one will grow thick and heavy and produce blossoms. Great for kids as onions grown rather rapidly.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Terrariums

Saw a beautiful terrarium on the Today show with little ferns and baby tears. Looked pretty. I suggest using rosemary and creeping thyme and onion for a spike for interest and variety of levels. Rosemary can be shaped and clipped for use in various recipes (If you have one, send it in). Creeping thyme has beautiful blossoms and is great in stuffings. Onion is great clipped and chopped in scrambled eggs, etc. It is a great starter, looks pretty in a class container, is useful and edible, keeps the air smelling great, and does not need any bugs or bees for fertilizing.