Thursday (3 days ago) I sorted through saved starts from
Multiplier Onions (
White Potato Onion) and
Garlic (by now I've mess up and I don't know the variety - it's either
Inchelium Red or
German Red. Probably Inchelium based on the size of the bulb and # of cloves, more than German Red usually has).
Most were firm and appeared viable.
I planted about 50
White Potato Onion starts, both large and small, in last year's tomato bed. Large ones become clusters of small ones next season. Small ones become one large one, next season. There should be plenty for scallions and to save. I wanted to keep these going, they are an heirloom variety and I used to grow them as a boy, a gift from my grandmother's sister. The flavor is more complex than the "normal" store-bought onions, and not as harsh as the Egyptian Walking onions. I hope they grow - normally I plant them in the fall. My goal this year is to have a good supply to eat, but also to have a good supply to carry on to next year, both large and small bulbs.
A few came up in last year's bed, apparently having forgotten them during the summer.
Generally speaking,
Garlic planted in the Fall grows to about 6" tall in the fall, overwinters, and makes good bulbs by June or July. Garlic planted in the Spring usually grows into one large clove. That's OK, but the goal is for a multiclove bulb. We'll see what happens with these January-planted garlic plants.
The soil was quite workable. Not too soggy.
It's rained for 2 days since planting.
Friday I saw some nice brown
shallots at Safeway, bought a package of 3. I planted them today - just because I can. Shallots are about the same as multiplier onions, but a bit smaller. I planted them out of curiosity.
I read in a garden calendar (see prior entries last week or so) that onions and garlic can be planted now, which is what inspired me.
Leghorn lady, hasn't missed laying a large white egg since August. Probably over 180 eggs so far, many times her weight.
Rhode Island Red lady. She and her identical twin sister have been prolific as well, laying a light brown egg, each, every day since mid October. About 90 eggs so far.
Australorp Lady. Beautiful, iridescent bluish black feathers. Very timid - she escaped my arms and flew into the pond. Amazingly, she just sat there and floated. Like a duck. Didn't paddle, though. She has laid a daily egg almost every day since mid October. I'm guessing, about 85 eggs so far.
