2013 Onion Growing Challenge

Hiya Scrunge.

Not sure I quite follow?

 

What variety are the sets Scrungee?

Steve...

 

Phil,

1) can I prep/dig over, get some poo and open the bags and pile it in a corner to start rotting?


Definitely dig over first, spread whatever "muck" you have over the entire bed, worms and winter will do the rest for you...... "Simples!"

 

Only what I'd bought for general growing - Senshyu, but I'm off to a head start and at 6 grammes I'm probably in the lead at the moment.

I'll be using well rotted chicken manure (from our hens) for my onions. Bog standard sets grew huge when I've used the straw from their run to make paths next to onion beds.

 

Thanks, Vince, but since my post I've kinda decided all the soil has to come out, I've made a start, but its heavy going wish me luck

Phil.

 

If you can get hold of a bit of downpipe/tube, then build a pile of the poo around it, then take the pipe out so its forming an airway down into the heap, that will help with the rotting down.

Big pile rots down well, small lumps don't

 

Hello chums

In due course I'll post some guidelines for everyone's approval. I'll also post the names of those that have entered. I can always edit to add more names

 

Ok, here are the Guidelines.

1. The competition is for the heaviest Onion. Two categories...either grown from seed or from a set.

2. All entrants to register their participation by April 1st.

3. Three photos to be submitted for seed grown onions are...at the 'crook' stage, two months after planting out, and at the 'weigh-in'.

3A. Scrungee is not allowed to withhold progress of his Onions.

4. Three photos to be submitted for set grown onions are...at the 'shoot' stage, two months after the 'shoot', and at the 'weigh-in'.

5. For 'bought in' plants, instead of a photo of the 'crook' stage, a photo as delivered.

6. All weigh-ins to be completed by Sunday 27th October

7. Onions to be trimmed PRIOR to weigh-in, it doesn't have to be fancy!

8. Most important of all, lets try to have FUN!

Herewith the list of entrants so far....

Freddy
lolimac
fat controller
JWK
Vince
Scrungee
Steve R
Plant Potty
Zigs
Amy
Dan The Man
allotment-web

 

yep, very.

#8 is a must.

are you going to update your very first post with a list of those that have entered? so we can check out the compition lol

 

Hiya PP. I'll probably edit my post #68 to include the names of entrants

 

Hi Freddy, I love it, that'll confuse everyone more time for us to be growing while they waiste time looking lolz, maybe time to take your handsome head off?

 

Rather than edit post #68, can't you edit post #1 to include all this stuff to avoid newcomers missing it?

One of, if not the most important stage to capture is one on 21st June as no more leaves will be produced beyond that date, so it is a critical stage of the plant that will determine the final weight, but 2 months after planting out should capture that.

 

Hiya Scrunge. I've already edited post #1 to redirect folks to post #68, but if folks want me to post the guidelines/names there, of course I'm quite happy to do so

 

Well chuffed Freddy...Thanks

 

Anyway, this is what I plan to do. This weekend I'm going to 'muck' my raised bed allocated for the Onions. I've already turned out a spit of soil, and dug it over at the bottom. I'll put in a layer of 'muck' and then replace the soil over the top. Then, I'll put another layer of 'muck' on the top. I'm not saying that this is the way to do it, but it's what I'm gonna do The bed measures 8ft x 4ft, so I won't be able to grow many, probably 18 I reckon. I'll sow them on Boxing Day in the greenhouse, which is where I have my propagator. I'm looking into getting some lighting set up, as winter light levels will be low. Anyway folks, for me it all starts now, so I'll wish you all good luck

Cheers...Freddy