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craftyhunnypie

When to pull onions?

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Are they buried then Emma(CHP)? - the onions usually grow to sit on top of the soil and you can then decide when to lift them, usually around August or earlier if they are ready.......

 

Lift them with a fork to break the roots and bend the tops over to stop growth. Leave to dry before stringing or storing.

 

If you just want a couple to use, then just dig them up and see how they are.

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You can lift a few to use when they are still green but you will find that they have a slightly pulpy texture when cooked. they are better left until the tops start to dry off and fold over as Lesley said about August time depending when they were planted.

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Should only lift the onions when the foliage starts to die back.

 

Again I am going to be saying stuff contrary to what has already been said but don't bend the tops over as they may not store well if you have a surplus.

 

Re Lesley's comments around the bulb growing above or below the surface... that depends on how far in you put the set in the first place ;o)

over which we differ on that too... lol

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Should only lift the onions when the foliage starts to die back.

 

Again I am going to be saying stuff contrary to what has already been said but don't bend the tops over as they may not store well if you have a surplus.

 

Re Lesley's comments around the bulb growing above or below the surface... that depends on how far in you put the set in the first place ;o)

over which we differ on that too... lol

 

:lol: - but mine didn't do too badly last summer.... and we're still eating them.... :lol:

2007_1014Onions0002.jpg

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Should only lift the onions when the foliage starts to die back.

 

Again I am going to be saying stuff contrary to what has already been said but don't bend the tops over as they may not store well if you have a surplus.

 

Re Lesley's comments around the bulb growing above or below the surface... that depends on how far in you put the set in the first place ;o)

over which we differ on that too... lol

 

:lol: - but mine didn't do too badly last summer.... and we're still eating them.... :lol:

2007_1014Onions0002.jpg

 

:D

 

just one or two then ;)

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Just a few :lol:

 

I did mean to come back and ask you why you say not to bend the necks over - apart from the fact that they may not store well? I've always done that on the spring grown onions and the necks then dry ready for storing. I don't store any with thicker necks which don't dry - we use those first.

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When did you plant the sets? Some winter ones are ready around May/June, if they were planted in March (as sets, not seeds) then August. If they try and flower break off the flowers head - when the outside starts to go papery - dying off they are ready.

 

Tracy

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Just a few :lol:

 

I did mean to come back and ask you why you say not to bend the necks over - apart from the fact that they may not store well? I've always done that on the spring grown onions and the necks then dry ready for storing. I don't store any with thicker necks which don't dry - we use those first.

 

just that bending the necks over can cause damage to the neck thereby causing storage issue.

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just that bending the necks over can cause damage to the neck thereby causing storage issue.

 

Ah! I see - thank you!

 

My grandad used to say that you can tell when they are ready to be bent over when they have done it themselves

 

;)

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just that bending the necks over can cause damage to the neck thereby causing storage issue.

 

Ah! I see - thank you!

 

My grandad used to say that you can tell when they are ready to be bent over when they have done it themselves

 

;)

 

Well, I must admit that mine usually do that before I get around to doing it :lol::lol:

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I read somewhere that you can tell how bad the coming winter will be by the thickness of the onion skins!

 

If their skins are thick it will be a cold winter - I guess it's like them putting on another jumper on!?

 

Sounds like an old wives tale to me?!

 

I have onions and garlic in the ground and I'm impatient and was only thinking this morning they are taking up valuable space!

 

I have a packet of carrot seed so I will follow that tip thanks for that!

 

And grow them in between.

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I have onions and garlic in the ground and I'm impatient and was only thinking this morning they are taking up valuable space!

 

I have a packet of carrot seed so I will follow that tip thanks for that!

 

And grow them in between.

 

I would only do that if you have LOTS of room.. onions do not like competition from any plants too close to them

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