Behind the Curtain

Storing Veggies

Fall brings oh so many root and storage vegetables, which made me wonder what was the best way to store these goodies during the winter. My friend got me the Veggie Keep Sack, which I love so far, but there are plenty of other storage solutions. One idea that I really love is braiding garlic and hanging it by your oven. This way you can just cut the garlic off the braid as you need. Here is a video on how to cure and braid garlic from Cultivating Life and a tutorial on how to braid onions from Homesteading Neophyte.

Here are some other storage solutions suggested by Apartment Therapy's The Kitchn:
Store Garlic in a bamboo steamer
Layered pallet style storage from Garden Trading and Gardener's Supply Company
There is also a compact version in metal mesh from Elfa
Double Tier Produce Basket from Fresh Finds or similar vintage one on Etsy

How do you store your root veggies?

How My Garden Grows

Left: Meyer Lemon Tree, Top Right: Garlic, Bottom Right: Onions

It looks like I will be lucky with my little container garden this year. My lemon tree has already started blooming and my garlic is going strong. I planted some onion bulbs last Saturday that my grandfather gave me and they have already sprouted! My grandfather told me they grow pretty quick; when the leaves turn yellow I'm suppose to pull them out and let them dry in the sun until the outer skin dries. I'm excited to see how they turn out. I'm hoping to pick up some soil to plant my basil and oregano seeds sometime next week.

Here are some links & info regarding my "garden"
• Tips on growing garlic (the time to plant has passed, but if you grow them indoors, I don't think it matters)
• My grandfather got the onion bulbs he gave me from Lowes.
• I got my herb seeds, pots and soil from Sprout in Chicago
• I ordered my Meyer lemon tree a few months ago as a 2 year old bare root tree from Park Seeds. It can grow in a container (as I have it), but you can also grow it in a proper garden.

I am growing a container garden indoors on my tiny little stair landing beside my front door. If I can do it in that tiny space, you can definitely do it too. If you have a cat that likes to nibble on your greens (like mine), try a hanging container garden. I may do that in the kitchen for all my herbs. If that doesn't work (due to my high ceilings) I am going to install a little shelf over a door frame and put my herbs there.

Also, Donovan & I were interviewed for Indie Fixx, check out the interview here.