Do onions need shelter from excessive rain?

[armadillo]

It says in one of my books not to water them once the bulbs have swollen- is all this rain going to make then rot in the ground?

[Capsid]

No, the bulbs will resist rotting if they are still in the ground as they are still alive and will want to flower and seed next year. They will only rot if they are diseased.

[armadillo]

Thanks, I thought I was probably worrying over nothing

[Gwyndy]

I believe that onions need plenty of water in order for the bulbs to get to a decent size.

[lynda66]

yes, you need to give them a little brolly each

[PAULW]

LYNDA
In Manchester do you give your onions snorkels

[Snadger]

The ideal growing medium for most plants is a free draining loam. If you have this type of growing medium it should be able to take anything the heavens can chuck at it without waterlogging.

Thats why in the North East onions and leeks are grown in 'trenches', which are basically very high raised beds (up to 1 metre) filled with a screened free draining loam!

[Demeter]

I believe (someone else will no doubt know better) that the reason they say to stop watering them is to let them dry out a bit and mature before you lift them, as you need to let them dry before you can store them. ??

I guess if it doesn't stop raining they'll just have to wait until afterwards to start drying out!

[lynda66]

LYNDA
In Manchester do you give your onions snorkels

no they all have their own little brollies

i live on top of a hill and rain runs away, and by the sounds of it, theres people everywhere with loads more rain than i've got.

[baggyman]

can you get these brollies at wilkos or b&q?

[lynda66]

dunno about B&Q but they have them in wilkies and the pound shop *nods*

[Headfry]

My onions have galoshes


sorry I mean cloches....
have only managed to cover 1/4 of them though. Some have split skins now. not a happy Headfry

[gojiberry]

Just leave mine to the elements and see what happens. They aren't ready for harvesting yet so hopefully the rain will have been some benefit. Will be going out in a bit to see how things are looking on the plot.

Ian