onions

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by ming, Jun 14, 2009.

  1. ming

    ming Gardener

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    When are onions ready to lift ?
     
    ming, Jun 14, 2009
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  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    If you are talking about onions grown from sets, then in July/August the leaves turn yellow and start to wither. Thats the time to pull them up and dry them off for storage. There is absolutely nothing stopping you pullling up one or two now for salads if the bulbs look big enough.
     
    JWK, Jun 14, 2009
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  3. ming

    ming Gardener

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    Brilliant, thank you !
     
    ming, Jun 14, 2009
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  4. ming

    ming Gardener

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    Looked today and the actual onion is tiny although the green top is quite long. There are plenty of white roots though, so I put it back in again :)
     
    ming, Jun 16, 2009
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  5. Freddy

    Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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    ming, you put it back in ?
     
    Freddy, Jun 16, 2009
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  6. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Mine are only just starting to bulk up too, lots of tops but the bulbs are small. I'm going to give them a top dressing of growmore in the next day or so to help them get even bigger.

    I've still got a couple of lbs stored in the shed from last year to see us through, its the only veg I'm able to be self sufficient in. If you dry them off and store them in a cool dark place they will last until next year :thumb:
     
    JWK, Jun 16, 2009
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  7. sweetpeas

    sweetpeas Gardener

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    My over wintering ones are fattening up nicely but this years aren't yet.

    What do you do with them if they go to flower?
     
    sweetpeas, Jun 16, 2009
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  8. ming

    ming Gardener

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    YY I stuck it back in , I only have about a doz of them growing in a tub. It was just an experiment really, as I love onions. I will grow more next yr if it works.
     
    ming, Jun 16, 2009
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  9. andrewh

    andrewh Gardener

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    I moved all my onions the other week. They were pretty much at the small-bulb stage, but I decided I'd planted them in the wrong place and wanted the patch for my sweetcorn.

    They seem to be fine - still growing, still looking healthy.
     
    andrewh, Jun 16, 2009
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  10. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Give it plenty of water ming, to help it settle back in, I'm not sure it will appreciate being pulled up and examined :thumb:
     
    JWK, Jun 16, 2009
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  11. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    I'm surprised by that andrew, I've never tried it but would have thought they would dislike being moved. I suppose if you dig them up with plenty of root ball/soil attached they will be OK, same as any other plant. Interesting to learn new stuff :thumb:
     
    JWK, Jun 16, 2009
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  12. andrewh

    andrewh Gardener

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    I don't think it's the done thing, John, put it that way!

    I decided that I was more concerned about giving my sweetcorn a happy home so was prepared to risk losing my onions so I took the plunge. Seemed to work fine though.
     
    andrewh, Jun 16, 2009
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