Onion Growing 2022

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by JWK, Dec 28, 2021.

  1. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2008
    Messages:
    32,485
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Surrey
    Ratings:
    +50,065
    Potted on my Kelsae plants, some into peat free and some into peat based. They are going outside on sunny days and indoors under growlamps when it's dull:
    20220328_143848.jpg


    The non-giant varieties are in seed trays in a frost free greenhouse (on the right of the photo), I will plant these outside within the next week once these frosts are out the way:

    20220328_171831.jpg
     
    • Like Like x 3
    • Hanglow

      Hanglow Super Gardener

      Joined:
      Oct 27, 2021
      Messages:
      842
      Ratings:
      +3,096
      Yours are a fair bit more advanced than mine. I planted out all my onions and shallots yesterday though, under fleece. They've been in a cold greenhouse since they germinated so should be fine
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

        Joined:
        Jun 3, 2008
        Messages:
        32,485
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        Surrey
        Ratings:
        +50,065
        Planted my giant Kelsae yesterday:
        20220502_111702.jpg
         
        • Like Like x 3
        • Michael Hewett

          Michael Hewett Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Mar 13, 2016
          Messages:
          5,210
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired
          Location:
          Hilly Carmarthenshire in Wales
          Ratings:
          +19,615
          They're coming along well @JWK Do you put them in shows ?
          My onions are just starting to germinate in a raised bed outside. I don't want big ones since I'm the only one here now.
          I have spring onions germinating at last too :smile: They took their time and I had given up on them.
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

            Joined:
            Jun 3, 2008
            Messages:
            32,485
            Gender:
            Male
            Location:
            Surrey
            Ratings:
            +50,065
            No I just grow them for a bit of fun, I think they look quite impressive in a prominent position in my veg patch. I only grow a few as they don't store well.

            The rest of my onions are at the allotment, all from seed in trays including some spring onions too. Nothing has germinated from direct sowing for me this year, I think it's been too dry and I haven't been able to work a decent seed bed with the lumpy soil.
             
            • Like Like x 1
            • Informative Informative x 1
            • CanadianLori

              CanadianLori Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Sep 20, 2015
              Messages:
              9,969
              Occupation:
              Battle Axe
              Location:
              Oakville, Ontario, Canada Zone 5A
              Ratings:
              +31,989
              I didn't buy any Kelsae Onion seeds this year as I had blown my budget on other seeds but today, I couldn't resist buying a 4"x4"x6"tall pot that was chocker block with seedlings. At first I thought it was chives until I read the label, they were so stuffed in there.

              Anyone know how to separate and not kill seedlings so tightly packed please?
               
            • JWK

              JWK Gardener Staff Member

              Joined:
              Jun 3, 2008
              Messages:
              32,485
              Gender:
              Male
              Location:
              Surrey
              Ratings:
              +50,065
              They are pretty tough seedlings and don't mind losing a few roots. It sounds like you have a lot more than you need. I would aim to get the largest to start with sacrificing the smaller surrounding ones.
               
              • Informative Informative x 1
              • CanadianLori

                CanadianLori Total Gardener

                Joined:
                Sep 20, 2015
                Messages:
                9,969
                Occupation:
                Battle Axe
                Location:
                Oakville, Ontario, Canada Zone 5A
                Ratings:
                +31,989
                Thank you @JWK and guess what? I discovered a second tag on the back of the pot saying it is a different onion. :doh:I guess it will be a big wait and see!
                 
                • Informative Informative x 1
                • ricky101

                  ricky101 Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Jun 15, 2016
                  Messages:
                  3,428
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Location:
                  Sheffield
                  Ratings:
                  +4,349
                  Well made a bit of a mistake with our Sets this year as we planted them in a new raised bed, but the soil is a bit too light and though growing well they are leaning over as the top growth gets bigger.
                  Not sure if they will form decent bulbs as they are now or if we shoud try and support them with canes, though a bit of a long job ?

                  One regular problem with onion sets is that as they mature around early August so leave a bit hole in the garden when harvested, but never too sure what to put in there afterwards, any suggestions other than quick salad plants ?
                   
                  • Like Like x 1
                  • JWK

                    JWK Gardener Staff Member

                    Joined:
                    Jun 3, 2008
                    Messages:
                    32,485
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Location:
                    Surrey
                    Ratings:
                    +50,065
                    Are the bulbs sticking out the soil, if it was earlier in the season I would push them deeper, doing so now might make things worse. Maybe the soil wasn't compacted. Anyway I think all you can do is try and support them now, I have canes and strings around my giant onions to stop the leaves flopping down, that takes me a while to do and I only have 9 plants. Maybe you could tie canes horizontally to smaller upright ones, along the rows to speed things up.

                    Brassicas are the recommended crop to follow onions, things that take a long time to mature and crop in the spring. I follow on with Spring Greens and Kale, also spring harvesting cabbages and caulis. I think you need to sort out your soil before planting brassicas, they need to be in firm well trodden soil as they hate rocking about.
                     
                    • Like Like x 1
                    • Informative Informative x 1
                    • ricky101

                      ricky101 Total Gardener

                      Joined:
                      Jun 15, 2016
                      Messages:
                      3,428
                      Gender:
                      Male
                      Location:
                      Sheffield
                      Ratings:
                      +4,349
                      Hi,

                      The sets were planted as usual in late March with just their tips showing.

                      The pic shows how they look now, and with the soil scrapped back which looks like its not forming any bulb ?

                      Cannot for sure remember the variety, think they are Sturon or another popular type from the shops.

                      Think they are a lost cause ...... ?

                      Thanks, some mini Cauliflowers sound just the job for a follow on crop .:smile:

                      IMG_20220527_171126595_HDR.jpg IMG_20220527_171208879_HDR.jpg
                       
                    • pete

                      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

                      Joined:
                      Jan 9, 2005
                      Messages:
                      51,252
                      Gender:
                      Male
                      Occupation:
                      Retired
                      Location:
                      Mid Kent
                      Ratings:
                      +94,453
                      I'd leave them alone.
                      If you just want onions for cooking they will be ok.
                      Ground looks a bit wet ATM.

                      Mine get fox cubs playing on them and get bashed down but I still usually get some worthwhile onions.

                      Onions grow leaves up until the longest day, after that the bulbs start to form.
                      That was how I read it years ago.
                       
                      • Like Like x 2
                      • JWK

                        JWK Gardener Staff Member

                        Joined:
                        Jun 3, 2008
                        Messages:
                        32,485
                        Gender:
                        Male
                        Location:
                        Surrey
                        Ratings:
                        +50,065
                        They look better than mine down the allotment. Mine have suffered from hardly any rain. Yours look like they have a touch too much nitrogen hence the heavy top growth. I think they will be ok as pete says. They don't bulb up till the days shorten anyway.
                         
                        • Like Like x 2
                        • pete

                          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

                          Joined:
                          Jan 9, 2005
                          Messages:
                          51,252
                          Gender:
                          Male
                          Occupation:
                          Retired
                          Location:
                          Mid Kent
                          Ratings:
                          +94,453
                          I agree John, maybe too much nitrogen, but big leaves often mean big bulbs in August.
                          Maybe a dressing of potash in late July.
                           
                          • Like Like x 1
                          • Agree Agree x 1
                          • ricky101

                            ricky101 Total Gardener

                            Joined:
                            Jun 15, 2016
                            Messages:
                            3,428
                            Gender:
                            Male
                            Location:
                            Sheffield
                            Ratings:
                            +4,349
                            Thanks all, they had just been watered as its also been so dry up here too.
                            Had given them some fetilizer over the last few months but did not think we had over done it in any way, but will be cautious in future.

                            The new raised bed had a few sacks of peaty and sandy top soil from a local supplier, think it should have been mixed more with the existing garden soil and left to settle a bit longer.
                             
                            • Like Like x 2
                            Loading...

                            Share This Page

                            1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                              By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                              Dismiss Notice