Staring My Onions

[bigredfeather]

Well, it's that time again. I will be starting my onion seeds this weekend. I am trying Ailsa Craig's(heirloom) this year. I have some Candy seeds left that I will also use up. I love the Candy, as they get as big as softballs. It will be interesting to see how the Ailsa Craigs do in comparision.

 

[vfem]

I forget up north you can start now and get them in for spring. Being so southern here when I do searches for my Zone we need to plant in the fall. Need as much cool weather as possible to get some onions in June.

Good luck, I hope you get a ton of them and can shelf them until next winter. Are these long storage types you are doing?

 

[bigredfeather]

Good luck, I hope you get a ton of them and can shelf them until next winter. Are these long storage types you are doing?

They are supposed to be. I know the Candys are, as we just used up the last of this years a few weeks ago. I found they keep much better in the fridge. I have a fridge in my basement set on 45 degrees. It works out good, because that is the temp I prefer for storing eggs, so fridge is always running.

 

[bigredfeather]

I forget up north you can start now and get them in for spring.

I usually transpant in garden around the end of March, harvest early August. Long grow time, but well worth it IMHO.

 

[vfem]

Oh cool back up! I saw plans for a root cellar (we don't really have basements in the south) in the Mother Earth News Magazine in October.... I was thinking of digging one!

I need to look into those Candy's they sound great, but I doubt they'll do well south of the Mason Dixon!

 

[bigredfeather]

I need to look into those Candy's they sound great, but I doubt they'll do well south of the Mason Dixon!

They claim they grow well in any climate. They have produced the biggest onions I have ever grown.
http://www.jungseed.com/dp.asp?pID=02722&c=119&p=Candy+Hybrid+Onion+Seed

Problem to me is they are a hybrid, which I'm trying to steer clear of.

Pic of some:

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[ducks4you]

biggreenthumb , thanks for the picture. I NEVER seem to know when to harvest my onions. I didn't know that you harvest when the tops are still green.

 

[boggybranch]

Candy's do great in the south.....Gotta friend just north of New Orleans that plants a LOT of them every year. Starts his from seed in the fall.
Gonna try them, myself, this fall.

 

[boggybranch]

Just got back from the seed and feed store. Picked up a bundle of Georgia Sweet Onions. Got em soaking. Gonna put em in the ground this afternoon or first thing in the morning.
Still a little too wet, here to plant taters.

 

[bigredfeather]

biggreenthumb , thanks for the picture. I NEVER seem to know when to harvest my onions. I didn't know that you harvest when the tops are still green.

I harvest them when the tops fall down. They usually aren't all ready at the same time. If you do it too soon, they won't dry properly and won't store well.