Spring #11: Onions 2010

Ah, but MsDebbieP, winter sowing does not necessarily mean the first to germinate. It usually means the stronger of the plants WHEN germinated. Give it time, my dear, give it time.

-- jroot

I figure if the entire tray in the house didn’t germinate then the ones outside probably won’t grow either.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

I don’t have any sprouts in my jugs yet Debbie.This is a good thing I think because I don’t want them to grow this early in the season.I made the mistake of putting them too close to my bird feeder and now they have bird seed in them.Live and learn.(lol)

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

I don’t expect WS sprouts for some time yet, either

good point re: bird feeder!

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

MsDeb, is there a reason you like to grow your onions from seed? I always plant onion sets as this give the onions a head start and you can use them earlier as green onions. I’m asking just bc I’m curious. My BIL planted seeds last year and I don’t think he ever got to use the onions bc they were still very small and spendly in the fall.

-- 'To plant a Garden is to believe in Tomorrow'

I always grow “sets” and will do so again this year.

Why the seeds? “Just because” :)

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

8^) Thanks.

-- 'To plant a Garden is to believe in Tomorrow'

haha aren’t you glad you asked?? :)

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

I didn’t want to ask my BIL, in case there was a really sophisticated reason that I should already know if I was smart enough. LOL I figured I could ask you without losing face. You’d be kind. 8^)

And ‘just because’ is a good answer.

-- 'To plant a Garden is to believe in Tomorrow'

I have an onion question. I grew onions from seeds last year and they were tiny by fall so I left them in the ground. When the snow melted this weekend, I noticed they had rotted. Is there a way to mulch them deeply so that they will not rot over the winter and I can have instant onion sets in the spring? It works for carrots, so can it work for onions? Just wondering, I haven’t looked it up in any of my books yet.

-- Robin, Massachusetts - "Live simply so others can simply live." M. Gandhi

Good question. I have left small onions from onion sets in the ground over winter and had them growing at the first sign of spring. There must be a way to ensure they don’t rot and give them a head start. Someone will come along that knows.

-- 'To plant a Garden is to believe in Tomorrow'

a really good question.
My one good onion last year was a leftover from the year before so I’d love to be able to put my onions in, in the fall and have beauties the following year.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

I found this info: Where onions are sown in the fall for winter growth and spring maturing of bulbs, Bermuda type varieties such as Creole and Early Grano are recommended.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

and this info: Planting Shallots in the Home Garden

Cultivation is simple, shallots are grown in much the same fashion as garlic. Plant them six to eight inches apart with the root scar facing downward and the pointed end facing up. They should be placed at a depth so that the tops are just barely below the soil. Fall is the best time for planting in most areas and shallots have no trouble surviving winter conditions.

Shallots will grow well in average garden soil, there’s no need for heavy applications of fertilizer. Just keep the bed weeded and watered, and you’ll discover how easily they produce, with none of the day length issues that you encounter when growing onions.

Fall planted shallots will be ready for harvesting early the following summer. Save some of the best bulbs to replant in the fall and you’ll never need to repurchase seed stock.

If you’re interested in more information on growing shallots and raising a beautiful garden that’s loaded with delicious gourmet produce check out my new ebook: “Amazing Secrets to Growing Luscious Fruits and Vegetables at Home

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

and a third one: Not all shallots are winter hardy, so stick with the French, Frogs’ Leg or Grey varieties – all hardy to zone 4. Like garlic, shallots will produce an abundant crop of bulbs next summer when planted in the fall.

Another perennial onion, the Egyptian onion, is also be planted now. Next summer wacky looking clusters of small tasty bulbs will appear at the tops of its stems. Use the bulbs fresh, or dry them for later use. Store them as you would garlic or onions. The fresh leaves are edible too – use them as green onions. The Egyptian onion is hardy to zone 3.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

I have started some perennial onions called Welsh Onions. They are supposed to be very similar to the Egyptian walking onion that Iris’ father grew. I guess what I want (in addition) are large onion bulbs that I can braid and store for the winter. We use so many onions in cooking, I would like to try to grow my own. I am going to look into the Bermuda types and also whether a thick layer of mulch (like one puts on carrots) will work. Thanks for all your investigating, Debbie.

-- Robin, Massachusetts - "Live simply so others can simply live." M. Gandhi

np.
Next step is to try these options to see what works.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan