Onions & garlic

Gingham_Ribbon

Also, if you make your own pizzas or pasta sauces, you could make a large pan of basic tomato sauce. Just gently fry plenty of finely chopped onion and garlic then add a few tins of tomatoes and let it reduce. You can add herbs now or later depending on if they're fresh or dried. Freeze in small portions.

You can add this to mince (if you eat meat) to make a bolognaise or to veg as a pasta sauce. It's also really nice with a bit of grated ginger and chopped coriander. (Honestly!) And it's lovely on pizzas. (We buy Tesco and Morrison's value bases and add our own toppings.)

I'm keen to try growing my own garlic as we put it in EVERYTHING! (Good job hubbie likes it too!)

scuzz

caramlised onion tart?

BWZN93

Gingham_Ribbon wrote:

I'm keen to try growing my own garlic as we put it in EVERYTHING! (Good job hubbie likes it too!)

I planted mine about a month ago, and its about a foot and a half tall (althought the cat keeps trying to kill it - finds it an amusing toy!) already! Awesome to watch grow they are.

We use loads too. And red onions. I intend to grow my own as im sick and tired of running out!

Jo xx

Gingham_Ribbon

Wow! 2 for the price of 1! Cat toy AND healthy food. Now that IS a bargain. :rotfl:

Zziggi

jw1096 wrote:

I planted mine about a month ago, and its about a foot and a half tall (althought the cat keeps trying to kill it - finds it an amusing toy!) already! Awesome to watch grow they are.

We use loads too. And red onions. I intend to grow my own as im sick and tired of running out!

Jo xx

do you reckon it's too late to plant them now?

Zziggi

Ted_Hutchinson wrote:

. If you think about it the onion harvest is only once a year so most of the onions you buy will have been stored...... So really there should be no need for panic measures.

oh yeah. of course -logical. Was obviously having one of my 'blonde' moments.

BWZN93

Zziggi wrote:

do you reckon it's too late to plant them now?

I wouldnt really know to be honest, I started my garlic off indoors though, as the weather has been unpredictable of late, either burning or throwing it down! The garlic appears pretty hardy, I guess it could be planted at any time, but as far as I can tell, dont get it too wet (my other bulb went mouldy because I overwatered it!!)

Have no idea with onions though, I have a packet of about 100 seeds, so I might just plant a few and see what happens. My gardening tends to be a little haphazard to be honest, I dont really know what im doing and just chuck em in, water em, and then watch! My lemon trees are doing well, as is the garlic, and chives. The rosemary went kaput though. My next attempts at indoor gardening will be onions, peppers, and spring onions, who knows what'll happen!

Gingham Ribbon - Wow! 2 for the price of 1! Cat toy AND healthy food. Now that IS a bargain. :rotfl:

I know, cool huh!!

Jo xx

squeaky

Zziggi wrote:

do you reckon it's too late to plant them now?

I started mine off just a couple of weeks ago, outside, plenty of sun and water and they're belting out of the ground at speed. I'd be inclined to risk it. You won't lose much if it doesn't work; and if they don't look very big as the weather begins to cool you could bring them indoors, let them dry out and start them again next year.

Gingham_Ribbon

That's it. I've bought some organic garlic and I'm going to pot it today. I'll let you all know how we get on with it. I'm hoping our 3 cats enjoy it. They might lay off my chives!

Good tip about over watering.

pol

If you can squeeze a few tiny spaces in your freezer, chop onions and freeze in bags, no need to blanch.

Garlic can be planted now, it does better with some grit or stone in the bottom of the hole to stop the bulb rotting. It can be planted anytime, even up to early winter, although the later the slower growing.

happy planting!

pol