2013 Onion Growing Challenge

what is bolting? going to seed?

 

Yes. This makes them useless for storing, and ruins the potential.

 

Well here he is my 'Mammouth Giant'...Well no one can say i didn't try



Errr..that's grams not pounds

 

It's better than mine sweetie. All the tops have dropped on mine now, just leaving them in to ripen at about pickling size

 

Ooooh, just think how many rings in beer batter that Mammouth Giant would make Loli.....
all round to Loli's house chaps....
Jenny

 

Bought this one from the local Wholesalers today for 50p

 

All but two of mine have been harvested, in the greenhouse curing.

No real monsters but considering all the bad luck I've had this year, I've got a few half decent ones, enough for lots of steak and onion, toasted cheese and onion sarnies and maybe some beer battered onion rings.

 

Nice one Vince...you've certainly been up against it this year but glad you've got some good results

 

why what's happened this year vince?

 

Hi Allan, foxes and cats wiped out my first two plantings and next door's kids football did a bit of damage too. I do grow substitutes but in seed cells, they just don't have enough time to catch up as their still really seedlings when I plant them out!

 

Sorry to say it BUT anyone considering growing giant onions next year should seriously think about ordering in their seed NOW

 

not good. id be gutted walking out and seeing a massacre in my veg patch lol.

why do we need to buy now? which seeds do I need to buy to grow a giant variety?

 

Some may differ Allan but you need "Kelsae" seed, sow 26th December in a slightly heated (10c or so) propagator and uncles your bob!
Prep your onion bed NOW for next season, well manured and free draining, thereafter you're on your own, but do try and grow some Comfrey!

All will come apparent later down the line.

 

yeah I've got my onion bed ready now as I'm trying autumn sets to see which I prefer, but haven't put any rotted compost or anything in. I've heard its better to leave manure compost etc out of the soil because if there is too much goodness in the soil it can cause the onions to go to seed. is that true or should I add some compost?

 

also what do i do with the comfrey. that's a herb isn't it?