craftyhunnypie Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 I have some stutgart onion sets that I planted a while back. They now have long green leaves ...so when could I pull them up for a decent sized onion? Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 Oh heck, i havent even got mine in yet!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted May 9, 2008 Author Share Posted May 9, 2008 I just buried them in soil, bit of an experiment really as the pack of onion sets were only £1. I'll leave them a good while longer yet then, they're not doing any harm & it's one thing the chickens haven't pecked yet! Thanks everyone Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 August is when you should start to see them starting to become ready for lifting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 Leave them in for a while Emma and plant carrots in between the rows. The smell of the onions confuses the carrot fly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 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 - but mine didn't do too badly last summer.... and we're still eating them.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 Is that ALL you got Lesley? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 Wow! They're impressive Lesley! One bunch is probably more than I'll get this summer as so far 8 of my onions have grown! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 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 - but mine didn't do too badly last summer.... and we're still eating them.... just one or two then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 Just a few 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted May 16, 2008 Share Posted May 16, 2008 Just a few 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted May 16, 2008 Share Posted May 16, 2008 just that bending the necks over can cause damage to the neck thereby causing storage issue. Ah! I see - thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted May 16, 2008 Share Posted May 16, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted May 17, 2008 Share Posted May 17, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ange1 Posted May 17, 2008 Share Posted May 17, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ange1 Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Hmm, will have a look then, thanks Matthew. At moment carrots are in the greenhouse still in their seed trays, methinks I am a little late in sowing them?!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Hmm, will have a look then, thanks Matthew. At moment carrots are in the greenhouse still in their seed trays, methinks I am a little late in sowing them?!! not too late at all...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Carrots don't really like to be transplanted it can make them very forked without a single good root. You can sow them until June, just keep them well watered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ange1 Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Thanks Matthew and Liz, perhaps I will plant some spare straight into the raised beds if they don't like to be transplanted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
