Onion Patch

[Droppey]

Hi Everyone

I'm just after a bit of advice. Where I decided to have my onion patch, I deweeded, I put boards around the edges to neaten the patch up.

Over time weeds have obviously sprouted up, bless their cottons, and I thought I'd leave them because I didn't want to accidently dig up the onions. But now the patch looks appalling.

So my question is do I just go and dig up the weeds and how do I avoid accidently digging up the onions instead?

Thanks
Drops

[zazen999]

What sort of weeds, and are they right under all the onions?

I regularly deweed my onions, by picking them out whilst they are little.

[Capsid]

Hoe, hoe, hoe. This is why veg is grown in rows that are a hoe's space apart. Then you hand weed what's left.

[Droppey]

errr they're all around the onions, quite close to them. I even think there's a potato plant there as well / and am worried about pulling that up.

Will have to do better with the deweeding for next year *gulps*

[Droppey]

Hoe, hoe, hoe. This is why veg is grown in rows that are a hoe's space apart. Then you hand weed what's left.

Noted for next year

[PAULW]

Droppey
MULCH I covered my onion sets and shallots in straw just after planting then in the spring I had to do a top up as the straw breaks down a bit over winter, result virtually weed free and no onions chopped out of the ground through hoeing

[Droppey]

Droppey
MULCH I covered my onion sets and shallots in straw just after planting then in the spring I had to do a top up as the straw breaks down a bit over winter, result virtually weed free and no onions chopped out of the ground through hoeing

Fantastic idea thanks PaulW will try that.

[Two_Sheds]

how do I avoid accidently digging up the onions ?

don't dig.
pull the weeds out with your hands. After you've finished, give the onions a watering to settle the soil again

[Droppey]

don't dig.
pull the weeds out with your hands. After you've finished, give the onions a watering to settle the soil again

Thanks Twosheds I'm going out there today so will definitely do as you suggest.

[Pumpkin Becki]

Hiya Droppey!

Onions really don't like competition from weeds, they won't develop as well. Do just as Two Sheds says, hand weed and water back in again.

[Droppey]

Hiya Droppey!

Onions really don't like competition from weeds, they won't develop as well. Do just as Two Sheds says, hand weed and water back in again.

Thanks appreciate all the help I can get as I'm gardening blind hehe.

Just going to get dressed and go and beat the weeds

[Droppey]

Just want to say a huge thankyou for all your advice my onion patch is now a lovely, healthy looking plot