Friday, August 21, 2015

Green onions and Leeks for aquaponics

   Who doesnt like the onion class of vegetables?

   I first tried some cuts of green onions. It was soooo simple. I used the tops in what ever I was cooking that night and then I placed the bottom of the bulbs in a net pot with expanded clay and within the next day I seen growth. You amazingly cut the same green onions every 2 to 3 weeks. And even sooner if you like the small ones. The only problem that I have is they grow so quick and absorb the water also if you dont cut them in a reasonable time they will fall over. The green onions get very big around. I usually juct cut a few bunches when I harvest and what I dont use I cut and freeze.
 
   Then I tried the leeks the same way. And yes I know usually folks want the white part of the leeks.
Well maybe so, but try some of the green part diced up like a regular onion and you will see its a gold mine. Just cut what you want when you want. And they grow very fast too. I have bags full in my freezer so that when I need a lil onion, this is what I use. Does well in a dip too. Growing Leeks in Aquaponics is definitely one of my top to grow.

   And After doing an experiment with chives, Growing chives in aquaponics works pretty good too. They take a lil extra room, because they spread out, and if having the choice I prefer the net pots over the grow grips. The chives dont seem to get as wet on the bottom in the et pots. But all in all thay produce very well and after cutting it all back to put in freezer. I would say within just a couple weeks maybe 3 they are ready to harvest again.

     Growing all these onions is such a great addition to your basic lettuce and basil plants. And they are hardy in most temps. They do like a lot of light but if not they just stay a smaller version longer.

Give them a try. I think you will like it.

Oh and please support The ASC MAgazine. Its for sustainable foods for now and the future


   

Feeding my fish lettuce

   Sometimes I have extra lettuce  or some has gotten too big and bolted from the July heat so my Tilapia fish get the treat.  I have 2 tanks and they get fed 3 times a day. So once a day they get a dish of lettuce. They eat everything except the stalk if its too thick. they tug at the roots first.

   It gives them stuff to do for about 30 to 45 minutes.  I pull the stalk out when they are done to prevent rot and that part goes to the compost bin.

   This cuts down on my fish food a lil. 
  

Oh and dont forget to support the ASC Magazine.
Its all about sustainable foods for now and the future.