What did you do in the garden today?

[Minanora]

Ugh. I have to go to a big convention for work down in LA in September... DH wants to go to Disney world after that since the big airport is there. So I'd be gone for 11 days. I'm trying to be okay with it, but I'm not.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

@Sally PB I have the dehydrator in the living room. The smell doesn't bother me. I do have an air purifier in the living room too, so after I'm done it clears the smell out pretty quickly.

 

[Sally PB]

I'd probably be ok with the smell of dehydrating onions, but I doubt hubby would.

We've talked about putting it out in the garage to dehydrate cherry tomatoes, since it has been hot and humid here. We'll see. Since everything is early this year, I'm elbow deep in canning tomatoes, and drying cherry toms is on the back burner. I'll have to do it soon, as they are going crazy now too, and a lot of the tomato varieties I was given seeds for are cherries.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I think the rain has finally moved out. I think it’s going to take a few days for me to get caught up on the mowing. I need to use the weed whacker in the backyard to get the grass low enough for the mower to handle it. I’m hoping to get a little more work done on the littles coop. I picked another okra pod this morning. I only planted an 8 foot row of collards, but I think I will do an additional 8 foot row.

 

[Liz Birdlover]

I plant collards. They grow all winter long, though not actively in freezing weather. I've seen them covered in a thin layer of ice/sleet/snow. Didn't hurt them at all.

If I don't eat them the flock LOVES them.

Last winter's collards:
View attachment 3923310
The row cover is to prevent cabbage moths, etc.

Planted some today:
View attachment 3923312

I love greens. I'm thinking collard, turnip, broccoli, cauliflower, beet. I ordered potato bags. We got some rain last night, wind shifted coming in from north so instead of sweltering humidity, it's actually nice this morning. Hawks are migrating so lots of them are visiting. My flock is very skittish & eating like they're starving. Shorter days jump started the great molt, feathers everywhere!

 

[igorsMistress]

Very good point! I was going to chop some up this morning, but we're going to a funeral this afternoon, and I didn't want my hands to smell like onion.

If you use a stainless knife, rub it on your hands while washing it after you’re done. Takes the smell away.

I freeze the same way you thought to do it and also dehydrate. I prefer the taste of frozen, better flavor in the end product.

 

[igorsMistress]

aloe toxic?

Nope, my flock eats it. Usually in early spring which makes me think that might be when it tastes best.

 

[Sueby]

With everybody talking about freezing onions I was thinking about carmelizing some of them before freezing. It would save on freezer space and be a better addition to some recipes than frozen raw onions.

One year I caramelized an entire big crockpot full of them & then froze them in 1 cup silicon cups & used them for burgers & stuff like that. They were good, but def not worth the time it took to do them in the crockpot so I haven't done it again.

It's like fall here, the windows are open, a nice breeze, sitting with a blanket & my fingers are cold!

 

[igorsMistress]

G’morning all. Got the flock chores done and block d off the spot where the ducks have been hiding eggs. Watered a couple things that look sad even after the rain. That’s all for me today, it’s disgusting out there already.

 

[igorsMistress]

One year I caramelized an entire big crockpot full of them & then froze them in 1 cup silicon cups & used them for burgers & stuff like that. They were good, but def not worth the time it took to do them in the crockpot so I haven't done it again.

It's like fall here, the windows are open, a nice breeze, sitting with a blanket & my fingers are cold!

I’m jealous right now.