Onions going On, going Down, Not going Gone

[digitS']

Territorial and West Coast Seeds have Walla Walla later to harvest than, SV4058NU F1 O.N.I.O.N:

They must not be counting something ... tops are still nicely green on these white onions.

This the first year to have SV405 ... in my garden. I think it's a nice onion. Logan Zenner says SV's good in storage. That's my hope, especially since Walla Walla won't last too long.

Steve

 

[seedcorn]

Ever try Candy Onions? Farmer and his wife swear by them.

 

[ninnymary]

Those are some fine looking onions Steve. At the end of your first sentence, I wasn't sure if you were cursing them or what. If you lived closed by, I would be your shadow so that I could learn to grow things as well as you do.

Mary

 

[digitS']

Things are variable, Mary.

The Walla Walla are small this year. I can't grow them as big from seed as from plants out of Texas but they are a little smaller, on average, than I can ever remember them.

Meanwhile, the Candy onions ( @seedcorn ) are bigger than ever! Now, ever is just out of 3 seasons. The first time I grew them, they got some morning shade. I decided that shade was a problem. The second time, they didn't gain much size either. That could have been the end of me playing with Candy but ... they are a nice onion (& not all onions are nice ). This time, Candy is big (& nice)! I'll post a picture ...

Steve

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

i've had onions over-winter for me without protection. have you had the occasional plant you missed pulling & it came back the next year?

 

[digitS']

Mostly to bloom immediately, @Chickie'sMomaInNH .

Unless, I planted Walla Walla seed about now. Then, there seemed to be about a 30% chance they would grow and develop as useful bulbs.


Okay, the Candy onions weren't huge this year. But! They were bigger than in those previous seasons.

The nearest one is just under 4".

Steve

 

[PhilaGardener]

How did those Candy onions taste, @digitS' ? I haven't tried that variety (yet).

 

[digitS']

They are sweet. Comparable to Walla Walla that way and in pungency. I think that's a high standard .

Until now, I considered Candy as just another "pretty name." I'm not a snob about onions ... shoot! How could one be a snob about this most pedestrian of vegetables ?

The Ovation variety has apparently been taken off the market, as of this year. That variety was the most long-lasting of the sweet onions in my basement! That is an important quality.

My basement storage room must be excellent for onions. However, all onions become less and less desirable and more pungent over time. It's great to be able to start off with a sweet onion like Ovation and still have it, right through until there are green onions to harvest the following year. I hope I can replace it and will see how a few Candy onions do down there.

Steve

 

[so lucky]

I tried yellow Granex this year (plants) and I was impressed. Nice sweet onion, larger than I usually get. Next year I am going to try them in some bagged soil I got that is from the south. More sandy, dark soil. It seems to be sterilized so no weeds growing in it.

 

[seedcorn]

@so lucky isn't SE Missouri, the south? Just asking....