Onions

[HiDelight]

so what if I order a long day sweet sampler and a long day storage sampler?

it comes to a whopping $14

I have to keep some control but I keep wanting to order one of these and one of those ..with a sampler it takes the choice out!

 

[digitS']

Sounds like a plan, HiD.

Or, if'n you lived in Missouri like this gardener, or maybe even in southern Indiana, like Kate (at 39N ) you may be able to get away with planting long-, short-, AND intermediate- day varieties. HiD and I can't get away very successfully with such behavior since we are so far north. Did you know that I live farther north than any point in the state of Maine? (Directed to you Easterners - and you know who you are .)

I see that DW is looking at catalog descriptions of onions, today. Oh Boy, wonderful to have made a "convert!" There should be an Onion Appreciation forum .

Steve

 

[curly_kate]

I've been eyeing shallots. Anybody grow those before?

 

[digitS']

Oh, I have! I have !!

I've had French gray shallots for about 20 years and there were originally some Dutch goldens with them. I think one winter we ate all the Dutch . . . . :/

Two years ago, I planted Prisma shallot seed. They did fine and I replanted them in 'o9 as sets - fine again. Only a few of them bolted to seed. I've gotta say that I had never seen a shallot bloom before. This year I have some Picador shallot seed to try.

About the only 2 negatives to shallots . . . and, I suppose one is fairly serious . . . they aren't very productive per square foot and #2, they are small plants and can be overwhelmed by weeds.

See, why you may want to relegate me to an Onion Appreciation forum?

Steve

 

[simple life]

I put some onions and shallots in to try overwintering them this year.
I figure they are cheap enough to exeriement with and I am all about trying anything and everything in the garden to find out what will work in the future.
Ann, (reinbeau) grew some really gorgeous shallots this year and she seemed to get quite alot of them.
Even better, she was nice enough to share them with me, her garlic did well too.
I am not sure what her growing methods are or what the variety was, although I want to say they were french shallots, she may chime in here.

Hidelight, go ahead and try the sampler. It can't hurt and you will find out what works where you are.

 

[HiDelight]

ok I ordered the storage sampler ..the sweet sampler and a bunch of Walla Wallas I have a bed that is perfect for onions but not so sunny ..has light all day but the direct sun is mainly in the first half of the day do you think this is ok? it is the only not dedicated bed just now ..

I am going to get a truckload of aged poop and mushroom compost for all my beds and plan to dump both in the bed and then plant in February ..what do you guys think of this plan?

I wish I had a sunnier spot but the really sunny beds are dedicated to my beloved tomato plants

I am excited about my onion adventure

I adore onions but have always planted so much garlic that I did not give them a chance ..last year a friend handed me a bunch of massive wonderful Walla Walla's he grew here in the rain shadow lands ...they were outstanding! better than the ones that come form Eastern WA he would not tell me his "secret" just smiled and "it is like a good recipe"

so besides manure and more compost anything else I need for my onions?

thank you!

 

[digitS']

What - no leeks ?

I like fish emulsion on the onion family - especially the leeks.

Whatever solid you sprinkle on leeks, will be trapped in the leaves. They are like lilies . . . well, they are in the lily family with the onions.

Do NOT clean the soil off the roots of leeks while you are standing above others in the bed . Washing every single leek leaf in the sink isn't necessary if you avoid things like this.

Steve

 

[ducks4you]

SO GLAD to see this thread!! I love onions--DD just told her BF that I put them in E V E R Y T H I N G. I've never had a lot of luck with them. In 2009 I planted sets and seeds, and I harvested about 50 bulbs from the seeds I grew. I put them in a plastic onion set bag--YOU KNOW, like oranges come in?--and hung them on the wall of my machine shed--it's not a heated building. I thought I'd check on them periodically, and plant them as sets in 2010. Do you think they'll still be viable? As you know already I have LOADS of manure from my horses, in various stages since we've lived on our property for a decade now. I didn't realize that they love fertilizer, but I'll keep that in mind, now--THANKS, ROSALIND!!
ANY onion advice is welcomed 'cause I'd absolutely love to be a good onion gardener!!

 

[HiDelight]

OK LEEKS !!!!
and fish fert as well I still need the truckload of manure ..everyone can use a truckload of manure so I asked for it as my birthday gift this year was to please have a truck load of manure delivered and then everyone spread it for me

but I have the fish already as well should I toss some in now while the bed is resting to prepare? I lime everything in Feb should I spread the fish squeezings then?

do the leeks need a ton of sun?


potato leek soup ..food of the Gods

thanks for the subtle reminder!!

 

[ducks4you]

Speaking of leeks, it is TOO late to put their seeds in the ground? (I was thinking about during the first winter thaw.)