Growing Egyptian Onions Indoors using Recycled Containers

Healthy Biosphere Today

Here is a short article I wrote about growing green onions indoors, by planting the smaller Egyptian Onion Top Set Bulbs in January.  Brighten up your space, and have fresh green onions; then plant outside mid to late March (I am in zone 5b.)

Secret Revealed: How to Grow Fresh Green Onion Microgreens!  Perfect for the do it yourself homesteader. Enjoy fresh onions year-round.

If you love fresh green onions, and have difficulty finding them in winter, you can easily grow green onion microgreens quickly indoors, without a trip to the grocer.  Just plant the small bulblets, water, place in a sunny spot, and let nature do the rest. This type of onion is recommended for everyone!  Early Utah pioneers used them for seasoning and sustenance. The top set onions are a highly rated survival food, and they are easily grown in containers.  Walking onions are a great conversation piece, and can be easily shared with friends and neighbors.

The secret to having fresh green onions in January is found in a prolific, hardy variety of onion named the Egyptian Walking Onion, Allium proliferum. The onion produces top sets, which form bulbils, that bend over and replant themselves at the end of the growing season. 

In the fall, gather and store the smaller topsets containing bulbils in the refrigerator, or in a cool, dark place.  Replant the larger bulbs outside; they will continue to grow, even underneath the snow. Keep the stored bulbs at a steady temperature, so they won’t sprout to early; and don’t water until you are ready to plant. Watering before planting makes the bulbs soggy.

Microgreens and Beyond

In mid-winter, take the small bulblets out of refrigeration, and separate the bulbs from the top sets. 

Prepare the planting container, and ensure it has adequate drainage.  Place at least 3” of soil mix in the container, to allow the roots to establish themselves.

For an inexpensive container, use plastic milk jugs.  You may leave the handle on for easy transport, or if you need to save space, cut off the top of the container, and use the bottom for planting. Important: Punch drainage holes in the bottom of milk jug before cutting!

Next, plant the bulbs.  Don’t be afraid to pack them in; allow some room between bulbs.  Plant the bulblets with the pointed top up similar to planting a tulip, and then cover lightly; it is alright if the tops poke out of the soil a bit.

After cutting the fresh greens once or twice for tasty, fresh microgreens, plant them outside in March for a continual supply. Don’t over-cut, because the plants need the tops for sustained growth. These hearty onions fare well in containers too; you will be surprised at the results. Harden them off for a bit before moving them outside to their permanent home, to give them time to adjust to the temperature and sunlight change.  Cover and/or mulch the green tops if a hard freeze is expected soon after planting; they will adjust to the cold. You may never have to buy green onions again!

Once the onions are established outside, you can cut and dry the green onions or continue to use them fresh.  The onion bulbs in the ground can be used fresh, or dried and powdered for long term storage.  In fall, the top sets of bulbs bend over and touch the ground, starting the cycle of growth over again.  The onions grow greens even under the snow; they can also be covered, or planted in a cold frame for extra early or late harvests. The underground bulbs increase and divide; they may also be replanted, and are a very good fresh onion, although they do not store well, and are best stored in the ground.  

Planting

Egyptian Walking Onions are hardy for USDA zones 3-9, and they prefer full sun.  Plants are easily established, and grow to full size the second year. Water during dry spells; and fertilize lightly.  I have found some of the largest onions were grown in pots, benefiting from rich soil, less competition, excellent drainage, and regular watering on the porch or patio. Planting the bulblets into pots the first year is recommended. These onions are tough; they are one of the few plants that can grow near black walnuts. 

Keep the growing cycle going, and enjoy fresh, healthy onions year-round!

   ~Author: Laura Flora Snow       1-25-2019            

Here is a link to the article:

https://www.permaculture.co.uk/readers-solutions/how-grow-fresh-green-onion-microgreens?fbclid=IwAR2ncQCTCD8NxlvGXJLZeckWKR5GIaXyiGmdZPRfP_v7kGaCuwkngRv0jPI

Plant onions outdoors in spring, and save the small bulbs for winter growing.

Tree for Bill Mollison
4 May, 1928
24 September, 2016

Last fall, after the leaves had fallen from the trees here in Utah, I purchased a tree to plant in memory of Bill Mollison.

I was needing to plant shade tree, and after seeing so much about Bill’s life, I purchased a tree from our local nursery, and went about planting it. 

The simple tree planting turned out to be more difficult than I had anticipated.  In fact, it revealed quite a bit, about my home, and the history of the house.  Tree planting can reveal more than you expect!

I dug the first hole, and was almost ready to plant the tree, when I hit something hard in the soil.  I was aware, that there was previously and old outbuilding, in that general area.  I had hit concrete.  I moved another few feet away, and tried again; and hit concrete.  After three, four, or five more attempts, I had pinpointed the old concrete slab, and planted the tree, as far away from it as possible, while still getting some shade benefits. 

I could just imagine Bill laughing at my experience, and yes, I was a tad bit frustrated. Because this was in the front part of the lot, I didn’t want the neighbors to see me getting too upset, but yes, I am sure I cussed once or twice, or three times.  It really wasn’t my intention, to dig here and there. 

A few things that Bill taught applied here. Probably more than I will understand, for a while.

Observe. The first observation was, that the afternoon sun hits the west facing study window.  The solution, is to shade it; and the easiest way to do this, with the most benefits, would be to plant a shade tree.

The next observation was, when I had previously tried to plant grapes along the fence line, in that same area, I had hit concrete, and had to move down the fence line to plant.  On the other side of the fence line, I had dug a hole to plant a grape vine, and filled it with water, to see how fast it drained.  It hadn’t drained, after 4-5 hours.  When planting in a new area, it doesn’t hurt to check to see how the soil drains.  Just in case. After all, a fence line is too good of an opportunity for vines to pass up.

Along this side of the house, is a grassy driveway, used to access the back yard.  At some point, one of the previous owners of the home had torn down the shed, added a room, and built a driveway alongside the new room, bringing in a lot of soil to build up the driveway, and cover up the cement pad from the shed.  There is also a slight slope, which will enhance saving water for the new shade tree, and other plants in the area. I had wondered, why there was not a tree planted, to shade the west facing window, before.  Now I know!

Best of journeys, to Bill!  Another tree added to earth; a lovely Red Flowering Horse Chestnut tree, the bees are already visiting.

Year in Review: 10 Small Steps for Self Sufficiency and Better Health

What a year 2014 has been! Here are 10 small steps toward self sufficiency that I took this year.

1.  Hens:  This year I collected free or inexpensive young hens, and built some coops for them very late in the year from scrap or low cost wood. $ Money saving tip: Shop cull lumber at home improvement stores, and Habitat for Humanity has a lumber available.  I have found that there are many people that don't want to bother feeding their poultry for the winter and the prices are low or free.  There is also one rooster and for 2015 I am hoping to have a broody hen and chicks, to sustain the flock.
   After some shopping, I located super large kettle for processing the meat when needed.  I don't heat or light the coop, and have started getting eggs in January! With 2 large apple trees, I save as many apples as possible, and have been quickly coring them before giving them to the hens along with their regular feed from a local grain mill here.  They love them!  No more apple's need to be wasted and fewer end up in the compost heap; I sort them into A,B, and C grades.  More on apples later!
   I also have three small rabbits, and use their manure in the garden.  They eat any greens so nothing goes to waste. All the hen safe pulp from the juicer goes to the hens and rabbits, they especially love the carrot pulp.  $ Money saving tip:  Collect pulp from organic juice bars for hen / rabbit feed.

2.  Don't use the dryer.  I haven't used a clothes dryer in over 3 years.  Dryers use more energy than other appliances.  This year, I began turning on a fan after hanging the clothes up on the racks to dry inside.  The fan has the benefits of introducing more humidity into the home in winter; our winters are crackling dry.  The second benefit of using the fan is that is acts as a swamp cooler in the summer!  I will rarely if ever turn on the central air and haven't needed to do so.

3.  Cold Frames:  This year I built several cold frames, using the polycarbonate from an unused green house kit I decided not to put up for several reasons.  Currently I have arugula, lettuce, peas, kale, onions, and chard growing happily under a foot of snow.  After I harvest, the snow is  replaced to insulate the cold frames.  I also keep several pots on a south facing porch, protected with plastic and harvest them throughout the winter.

4.  Root cellar:  I have started storing the extra apples, potatoes, and carrots in a root cellar.  Next year I hope to add more items that have been grown in the garden.  This saves trips to the grocery store giving me more time and energy for other things. I also have a winter supply, and seed potatoes for spring.

5.  Sourdough bread:  Baking your own bread from sourdough also gives independence from the grocery and the added preservatives while boosting your immunity.  I have also found a basic recipe and use that for the balance of the bread making; and use healthy freshly ground flour.  Any extra sourdough is used for pancakes, and I also make peanut butter sourdough dog biscuits.

6.  Gardening and Green Drinks:  I have started making green drinks throughout the summer, using various herbs and mints in the garden.  So many perennial plants are edible and provide a bountiful, inexpensive refreshment and energy! Almond trees and grapes were planted this year, along with several other fruit trees. One of my favorite new recipes uses Basil seeds for cooking.

7.  Food preserving and Cooking:  With the apples, plums and grapes, I have been making canned and frozen applesauce, grape and plum juice, and dried fruit. Any extra produce, including corn, went into freezer garden soup and ratatouille. I also learned how to make Kombucha, and apple cider vinegar. I use the vinegar as a cleaner also. Use local honey, and swap out the sugar!

8.  Bees!  The garden is now benefiting from a honey bee hive to help with fruit tree and garden pollination.

9.  Foraging:  A favorite forage is rose hips, invaluable for high levels of vitamin C. The rose hip syrup is divine in tea.  Other foraged items are various seeds, English Walnuts and grass hay for wintering animals.

10.  Rain water storage:  keeping a few 5 gallon buckets out for rainwater comes in handy for spot watering the garden.  The animals like drinking rainwater and prefer it over tap water.

Happy 2015!

Thai Basil Soup with Sourdough Dumplings

 Thai Basil Soup featuring Thai Basil Seeds and Sourdough Dumplings

A Healthy November Recipe featuring freshly harvested vegetables and herbs from your garden. This is also known as "Frog's Egg Soup" in India. Thai Basil seed has a unique licorice like flavor.  The seeds have the same taste and healing properties as the green Thai Basil leaves. The seeds can have a gelatinous sack that surrounds the seed, resembling Frog Eggs. 

 

Are you left with an abundance of Basil that has gone to seed?  Use it to make this healthy soup with sourdough dumplings. Both go easily together on crisp fall day to make a satisfying and nutritious meal. 

Bread baking days are the perfect time to add dumplings to soup; you already have the dough at hand.

Thai Basil Seed Soup with Sourdough Dumplings

Directions:

Pick 6 Thai Basil stems, stripping flower seed heads from stems. Save flower head seeds and stems.

Pick 8 medium to small kale leaves, 4 large parsley sprigs, 1 Kohlrabi,Swiss Chard, or other greens as available. Chop all to make about 2 cups chopped greens. Pick 4-5 dandelion flowers if available.

Chop 1-2 medium onion with green tops if available; 3-4 small carrots, mince 3 small garlic.

Add one quart of organic chicken stock, and two cups of water to stock pot. Begin to simmer stock.

Add Thai Basil seeds and stems; chopped greens, carrots, onion, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt to stock, continue to simmer. Optional:  Add whole dandelion flowers and one medium whole dried cayenne pepper. Simmer until vegetables are tender. Turn off heat and carefully remove whole cayenne pepper and basil stems.

Bring soup back to a medium simmer; drop heaping tablespoons of sourdough into soup.  Let dumplings cook 3/4 way through, until edges look done and some dough is still uncooked in the middle.  Turn dumplings very gently by  stirring with wooden spoon.  Cook dumplings another 3-4 minutes, ladle soup and dumplings into serving bowls.  Enjoy!

Thai Basil Seeds and Stems

Ingredient List:

One quart organic chicken stock.

6 Thai Basil stems with seed heads attached.

8 medium to small Kale leaves

4 large parsley sprigs

1 Kohlrabi with leaves and stems, Swiss Chard or other greens as available to make 2 cups chopped greens.

1-2 medium onions with green tops if available

3-4 small carrots

3 small garlic cloves

1 teaspoon sea salt, pepper to taste

Optional:

1 medium dried whole cayenne pepper

4 whole dandelion flowers if available

Sourdough starter for dumplings

Quick Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar- A Healthy Supplement Perfect for Homemade Gift Giving!

Quick Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar- A Healthy Supplement Perfect for Homemade Gift Giving!

It's easy to make a seasonal batch of homemade organic apple cider vinegar, and dress it up with herbs for gift giving. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) makes a great homemade gift, plus the health benefits are abundant! Choose organically grown local apples for fresh results. You can make a fresh batch of homemade apple cider, using apple peelings and cores, in as little as four weeks.

When making applesauce or dehydrating apples, save the cores and peels to create a batch or two of super easy and taste tantalizing Apple Cider Vinegar. Or simply cut and peel your favorite organic fall apples.

Step One: Save peelings and cores after preparing apples.

Step Two: Let peelings sit overnight, then add to container and fill with enough distilled or purified water to cover the cores and peels. Cover with a breathable cloth, then stir occasionally- once a day if possible. Let the peelings remain in the water for two to three weeks. Remember to let as much air into the mix as possible, while keeping the peelings covered in the liquid. Using distilled or purified water will speed up the fermentation process; tap water contains additives that will discourage the natural yeast growth and alcohol fermentation. Keep at room temperature. Old crockpots make great containers, the containers shown here were all purchased at a local thrift store. Crockpots have a larger surface area than regular glass canning bottles, which means more air will be incorporated into the liquid for a faster ferment.

Step Three: After 2-3 weeks, when the mix smells like cider, add 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar with the mother- Bragg's makes a great organic Apple Cider Vinegar. Times are approximate, the first batch made this fall had an enticing aroma after two weeks.

Two week old organic apple cider vinegar

Thin ACV Scoby, after 6 weeks

Step Four: Let the mix steep for two to four more weeks, depending on the strength you want the vinegar. 

Step Five: Remove peels and cores, strain vinegar through cheesecloth or paper filter into permanent container. Filtering stops the fermentation process.

The final container can be anything you choose other than metal. Check to make sure any decorative glass containers are lead free before using. You may steep in herbs at this stage.

You can also make Fire Cider, using the finished homemade Apple Cider Vinegar, as an effective winter preventative and remedy for colds and flu.  

There are many recipes for Fire Cider, most have a base of Onion, Garlic, Hot Peppers, Horseradish.  Some add citrus for a Vitamin C boost.

Onions, Chives, Garlic, Hot Peppers can be used with moderation for flavoring.

Enjoy Apple Cider Vinegar year round, as a supplement, for salad dressing, or add a teaspoon to pie crust. For poultry, pet and small livestock health, many site the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar added to the water supply, as a natural digestive aid and antibiotic.

Here is an interesting historic war time recipe for cider:
Put cider in a barrel or keg. The bung hole must be left open and protected from insects by tacking a piece of cheesecloth over it. Keep in a moderately warm place. It will be ready for use in from four to six months. If a very strong vinegar is desired, add three tablespoons of brown sugar to each gallon of cider.
Credit: War Food - Practical and Economical Methods of Keeping Vegetables, Fruits, and Meats. By Amy L. Handy, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1917




Sources / Credits: This blog is a compilation of online research into making Apple Cider Vinegar using apple peels, and general knowledge of fermentation techniques. This method was chosen because it fits perfectly into the apple preserving process I already have in place, and makes a good use out of the scraps, without the need for special equipment.

Credits: Victorio Apple Peeler, an essential tool in the kitchen for anyone that owns an apple tree, or loves fresh apples.
Blog Credits: There are a plethora of blogs, using different techniques, about homemade apple cider vinegar making.
http://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/how_to_make_apple_cider_vinegar.html
http://thehealthyeatingsite.com/apple-cider-vinegar-recipe/
http://www.darkrye.com/cultivate4/

Permaculture Basics: Using Sheet Mulch to Eliminate Bermuda Grass

Permaculture Basics: Using Sheet Mulch to Eliminate Bermuda Grass: Tried and True Methods

After moving into a home with a half-acre overgrown yard in May 2013, I am going to share how to control Bermuda grass using sheet mulch, aka "Lasagna Gardening."

Year One:  Bermuda grass filled the planters around the foundation, and English Ivy had crept into the roof.  Birds were nesting in the rain gutters and the ivy completely concealed stairs leading to a root cellar door.  Fortunately the home had received a new roof before being foreclosed on, and the inside needed only minor upgrades.

The following spring I determined where the Bermuda grass was coming from. My next door neighbor has a Bermuda grass lawn, which has spread up and down both sides of the street.  I live in Northern Utah, and Bermuda grass is considered a noxious weed in this area.

Sheet Mulch Work in progress.

Here is the best way to control Bermuda grass using the sheet mulch method:

1. Spade and turn the grass over or completely remove it.  I recommend removal for best results.
2. Add a thick layer of cardboard, then add straw and mulch as desired.  If you don't remove or turn the grass first, it will come right back in through the cardboard.
3. Dig borders and edge around the entire area, using wood, blocks, or enough rock mulch edging to block all the sunlight in order to stop the grass from growing back in. Controlling the borders is just as important as using sheet mulch. As an alternative, you can keep digging and turning the border area as the grass grows in.
4.  Use the grass you have removed as a dry mulch along fences, etc. to keep weeds down. Dug and dried before seeding the Bermuda hasn't grown back in from the dry mulch.

Simply putting cardboard over the Bermuda grass without removing the grass first didn't work.


The following spring, I enlarged the area, without digging out the grass. I simply covered the dormant grass with a layer of  heavy cardboard, straw, manure and wood chip. 
Since the grass wasn't dug or turned in this addition  the Bermuda emerged quickly as soon as the weather warmed, right through the cardboard.  It appeared the grass just consumed the cardboard and was healthier than ever. The soil itself was rich, and the improvement in the soil was evident; earthworms are abundant. This area had to be completely redone by digging the grass out and then applying the sheet mulch.

After a year, the first area where the grass was removed before applying the sheet mulch was still mostly free of the Bermuda grass, other than where the border had grown back and crept in under the wood edging.

I can't stress border control enough!  Border control is a foundational permaculture concept.  It is key to stopping the grass from growing back into planting areas. 

Original area was small square around wishing well, the front and side sections added.

The second method that has been successful for removing Bermuda grass is to put thick cardboard over the grass, and then lay heavy bags full of leaves on top of the cardboard. Then after a year, remove or dump out the bags on top of the cardboard if the grass is completely gone, or add more cardboard and or bags as needed.  I used this method in a back corner where I am creating compost piles and a chicken run. I collected bags of leaves from throughout the neighborhood for future compost and top leaf mulch.   This isn't an attractive method, but it worked nicely for a back corner of the yard, and also works well for larger areas.  It is an effective natural treatment for controlling Bermuda grass and creating a Lasagna Garden, just expect it to take time.

Use either method of sheet mulching to control grasses and other perennial weeds.

Interestingly, the Bermuda grass doesn't grow in the shade underneath large trees, and previously tilled areas are also relatively Bermuda grass free, making it much easier to control in the tilled areas.  Even if you don't want to till, tilling once in the spring and again in the fall for the first year will go a long way to prevent this persistent grass from spreading.

If you chose to apply a herbicide spray, you will need to spray more than once.  Spray once and again when growth re-emerges.  Broadleaf chemical sprays don't effect Bermuda grass, you need to use an herbicide spray. 

Enjoy your gardening, and keep Bermuda grass under control.  These tested methods were successful from my experience creating an edible landscape and reducing the amount of lawn.

Utah's Colorful Sizzling Landscapes: Beat the Heat with Easily Managed Wood Chip Mulch

Utah's Colorful Sizzling Landscapes:  Create Your Own Unique, Colorful and Easily Maintained Landscape that will Beat the Heat and conserve water using wood chip mulch and permanent design techniques. 

 

This west facing home in Sandy, Utah benefits from unique style and color, incorporated with shady pockets for maximum livability, easy maintenance and low water usage.



West Facing Home in Sandy, Utah

Cobblestone is added for emphasis, and a flowing dry riverbed, complete with bridge, is capable of channeling water from cloudbursts and runoff.  Design with wood chip and bark mulch to reap the benefits of inexpensive setup, maintenance, and huge water savings! Wood chip mulch landscapes combined with a few evergreens, and edible plants, transition from the heat of summer to harsh winter temperatures using permanent design techniques.

 

Triple Water Savings:  Not only do you save water by not having a thirsty lawn that bakes in the hot western exposure, you store and save water in the soil using wood mulch. Water evaporates slower using wood chip mulch.  Runoff and splash back are also reduced.

 

Wood chip mulch breaks down slowly creating a rich layer of soil, great for growing perennials, vegetables, trees and shrubs.  Start with 2 inches of mulch, and add more every couple of years if needed, a little or a lot.  Great soil encourages healthy plants that take less water to thrive in our desert region.

Added Western Whimsy! Personalize your outdoor space.

Western Wishing Well

Plow Disc Planters





Vibrant Hibiscus flowers line the porch balcony in late summer.

  The fully self contained pond in the back provides refreshing relaxation and a respite for wildlife. An herb garden provides culinary cuttings next to the children's play area, in the private fully fenced back yard. 

 



 




Pond, Evergreen Sitting Area and Coral Yucca in Parking Strip.

 

 



Below:  North Park Water Park in Spanish Fork, Utah illustrates using wood chip mulch in larger areas, with reflected sunlight from pavement and sidewalks. 

Clockwise from top right:  Fragrant Sumac, Golden Current, Guara and Jacob's Ladder.

Many local municipalities and commercial companies offer premium wood chip and bark mulch at reasonable pricing.  Save water and lawn maintenance by installing wood mulch today.