Harvesting Onions

[pinkie]

After a bit of advice...

I planted onion sets on the 7th April and the stalks are really long and falling over. I thought that meant that they were ready for harvesting, but when I pulled one out this morning it was still really small. Any advice on what to do, they look like shallots at the moment, but I was hoping for big juicy onions.

Am I too keen? Do they need left longer. Alts, should I still be watering them as much, or leave them for a bit to dry out?

Thanks in advance.

[Nannysally99]

Much too early, I planted my onions last year, still got a way to go yet

[SusieG]

Assuming your onions are in the ground and not containers ... I only watered mine once when I planted them out (sets) in April .... Didn't think they should be watered (unless drought ...!!!!!) as the roots go further into soil to find moisture there ...

Most of mine have their tops sort of bent over, still look very green and healthy though. Wasn't planning on touching mine until at the earliest end June .... Even then I think they'll still have some growing to do!

Someone who knows more will be along soon, I'm sure, to put us right ..!

[Martin H]

For sets planted in April, I would plan on them being their full size by the end of August. You can see when they are big enough to use, the bulb forms on the top of the soil.

[SusieG]

Thanks Martin... Was I right with regard to watering/not watering .......?

Just had a look at your April blog ~~ how're the potatoes coming along ...?

[Martin H]

Hi Susie, unless we're in a drought I don't water onions much until the bulbs are swelling in a month or two. Then I give them a couple of thorough soakings with the aim of making the bulbs as big and juicy as possible.

I really must do another blog update! The potatoes have been doing great, the earlies are about ready and the maincrop looked lovely a couple of days ago. I got another automatic blight warning today, though, so it could all go pear-shaped quite quickly...

[Tripmeup]

Yep, as everyone says it's way too early..Keep them weeded and wait for a few more months..

[pinkie]

Thanks for the advice, guess I was just being impatient. I'll hold off on the watering and leave them be for a while yet.

Currently trying to fend of the slugs too, although they don't seems to eat the leaves I can see traces of them on the ground.

FYI they're in raised beds.

[muddled]

Onions bent over at this time of year is more likely to be due to a very windy day, fox cubs playing in the onion bed or something like that!

The onion you pulled is perfectly fine to use though....just think of it as a spring onion!

[Bigmallly]

Pinkie - You will find that most onions will bend over, when they are ripe & ready to harvest you will see the onion as Martin says plus the leaves will go yellow/brown.

[SusieG]

Yes, pinkie - I've found the slugs disinterested in my onions and garlic, too .... thank goodness for small mercies...!