Too early for onions?

A._Badger

Well, now I'm stumped!

This year, for the first time, I'm growing Red Baron onions, started from seed in January, planted in (slightly loose) soil in a raised bed, down here in the sunny (and dry) South East.

I've been eyeing the brutes warily for the past few weeks as, to me, they look ready to lift. The bulbs are a decent size, the leaves have gone yellow, most have died back and yet the books, seed packet and previous experience, suggest they shouldn't be lifted till August or September.

I'd like them out as I badly need the space, but has anyone else had this happen this year? Any opinions on whether it's too early to turf them out?

All opinions gratefully received!

Zazen999

Have you pulled one to see if it has white rot? They often look done but actually they are just whiterotted....

Saying that, I pulled a load of seed sown full size onions last week so depending on where you are they could well be done.

A._Badger

Thanks, Zazen - yes, I've pulled two so far and they are perfectly sound.

I'm heartened by your tale of pulling some last week - I need the room for next winter's brassicas that are busting their pots in the cold frame!

Zazen999

Get em in. I sowed about 150 french beans in my onion space; just in case we get a late frost and I can get another crop in...

Sunnyday

Mine are all ready, just eaten one today :j

The rest will be coming out over the next couple of days, not sure what i`m going to plant in their place yet *scratches chin*

SD

kiwichick

I bought in a load of red onions, large white, shallots and garlic yesterday. The garlic I've been advised to clean and leave as it will be fine as is but to dry the onions. I've seen lovely braided strings before now but they look entirely too hard for me so am going to tie them with string. Will end up with them hanging all over the house as there is so many. Any advice on how long I leave them to dry for????

Many Thanks in advance,
Al x

Sunnyday

No idea how long they should be left to dry for sorry - we always end up eating them all up before they have chance to do anything.:o

I grew extra this year so i shall do what i read somewhere on this board, cut the tops off but leave a longish piece and shove them in the legs of a pair of tights, tie a knot between each onion and hang them up (mine will go in the shed) and leave them to dry like that. Just cut a knot to release an onion when you want one.

I`m not sure how long they keep like this but i`m hoping that its quite a while although we use a lot of onions so they will probably get eaten quite quickly regardless. Just thought you might find the tights idea useful, i can`t do fancy braids either

SD

Orange_King

I thought the onions had to dry out for about 3 or 4 weeks before they were used. I have pulled a first few red onions and am pleased at my first attempt with them!

Sunnyday

The last couple of days i`ve been nipping down the garden and picking them, taking straight indoors and using them. They are lovely.

I think that the drying out may be part of getting them ready to store, i could be totally wrong in this but they have been really flavoursome as they are. We did the same last year too.

SD

Zazen999

Orange_King wrote: »

I thought the onions had to dry out for about 3 or 4 weeks before they were used. I have pulled a first few red onions and am pleased at my first attempt with them!

I start picking my onions around April; and hope to have enough grown and stored to last until the next april.

I sow seeds now, for my april onions and grow them under cloches all winter.

I put sets in [just because I can't resist] - radar are the best in my soil and these do me for may and june

All others get pulled as and when I need them, and the early winter sown seed onions were dug up last week and are now drying; the spring sown onions are still growing and will be harvested September time.

You don't need to dry them to eat; you do need to dry them to store.

Charco_2

So is now the time to plant brassica?

Sprouts, Brocolli etc?