Cabbage Patch

The raised bed at the east side of the garden has been planted with all types of brassicaceae.  Just like last fall, I believe every seed that hit the dirt has germinated.  The thinned plants are transplanted into the hole of the cinder block that form the beds.  So far, most all germinated plants have survived leaving me with hopes of a winter bounty of hearty vegetables.

The cabbage patch consists of

• Early Jersey Cabbage
• Yellow of Parma Onions
• Mammoth Red Rock Cabbage
• Early Wonder Beets
• Purple of Sicily Cauliflower
• Flat of Italy Onions
• Early Wonder Beets (I like beets.)
• Waltham 29 Broccoli

 

Waltham 29?!  What kind of a name is that?  I can only determine that the broccoli was bred at University of Massachusetts, Waltham Field Station, Waltham, MA around 1950. Were the names 1 through 28 already taken?  I don’t know why this name was chosen and would appreciate some background.  In the meantime, I’ll continue the research.  If anyone knows OR has a creative made up story, I would be interested in reading your ideas.

The Onion Field*

Everything in the garden was planted in place - meaning that a package of seeds was opened and sown in the place the vegetables are intended to grow.  Onions are fairly easy to get started.  Like other vegetables that are root crops, the soil needs to be well draining and free of stones.  Make sure to choose a spot that will get full sun most of the day.

The seeds are usually pretty small – about the size of a grain of sand.  Please do not leave a geological comment regarding the previous generalized term.  Only lightly cover the seeds with soil and sprinkle to get everything nice and moist.  Keep the onion bed moist but not wet.  Some seeds germinate faster than others.  Bright green strings should start punching up towards the warm sun in about 6 – 10 days.  You might get some over achievers like the bunching onions I just planted on Sunday.  They are up today (Tuesday).  You’ll need to thin your sprouts to make room for a healthy crop.  The thinned onions can be used like you would chives.

A variety of onions are in for the fall / winter garden: 

Flat of Italy

He-Shi-Ko Bunching

Jaune Pailles Des Vertus

White Lisbon Bunching

Yellow of Parma

A package of seeds costs about $2 so the investment isn’t a big one.  That small investment helps you to have onions that will allow you to avoid the grocery store more and more while using your money for something else.

I love onions.  In fact, whenever I’m driving behind a trailer loaded with onions I roll down the windows and drive behind the truck for as long as possible to enjoy the onion scented air.

Enjoy.

 

*The Onion Field is a 1973 nonfiction book by Joseph Wambaugh that is set in the fields surrounding Bakersfield, California, my hometown.