All things Allium - Leeks, onion, shallots etc

[FionaH]

Is it too late to sow some more leeks in the greenhouse? Already got some autumn giant and mussleboro on the go but will have more space soon, yipeee!

[King Carrot]

I just got some Banana shallot seeds from Thompson & Morgan, It says on the pack sow March to May. This seems a bit late to me so do I have a chance of getting a decent crop if I sow now?

I'll probably stick a few in anyway to see how they do and start them off a bit earlier next year.

[susiewoosie]

My shallots are in a raised bed (container type) and they have green shoots starting to show, do I need to keep them watered?

[King Carrot]

yes - don't over water and don't let the soil dry out. I reckon you should water when the soil feels dry to about 2" down or apx a finger depth.

[zazen999]

I'm sowing ALL my remaining alliums today; if I get more than I need I'll keep some for seeds, give some away and take some to my brother's and plant them in his raised beds...there's alot of seeds going in today.

[susiewoosie]

yes - don't over water and don't let the soil dry out. I reckon you should water when the soil feels dry to about 2" down or apx a finger depth.

Thats a relief Carrot, I've been giving them a little bit of water.

[zazen999]

Update....ish

Just to keep those going who are finding that it takes an age to grow onions.

These onions were sown last autumn, and were planted on my canalside garden; right next to some marjoram which sort of grew over the side of them. As you can see, even with being shaded out, they have carried on growing all winter and they were pulled today. About 8-9 months to harvest, and they have not bolted. Note: these were sown in a small pot, using the 'pinch' method.

The garlics were planted out on the 2nd September last year, and as I have about 180+, we are starting to pull them earlier that we would usually, and using the full length in cooking. I just wanted to show how the original clove has now disappeared, it rots away, and the new younger bulb starts growing and thickening up. You can just see how this is starting to go from cylinder shape to bulb out. I'll keep posting any significant changes as I pull them. Only last week, these garlics had a dead straight 'bulb' area.

[Prozac]

I have a patch of 'things' that I've left untouched for a few years...... they've gradually multiplied and I wonder what they were.... I've vague recollections of them being a garlic...

I dug one up today..... it looks like a spring onion...... but it smells strongly of garlic..... any ideas???

[gojiberry]

In my book the only thing that smells strongly of garlic is garlic. Providing the ground isn't to wet during the winter they will keep growing and multiplying for a few years, a bit like daffodils.

Ian

[Rocketron]

I have a patch of 'things' that I've left untouched for a few years...... they've gradually multiplied and I wonder what they were.... I've vague recollections of them being a garlic...

I dug one up today..... it looks like a spring onion...... but it smells strongly of garlic..... any ideas???

Sounds like Ramsons (wild garlic)to me. We use it for garlic butter.

[Mi Jardín]

Had a peek at my autumn sown onions....and they are FINALLY starting to bulk up! YAY!

They were originally in the ground, but I was at the point of giving up on them as they were a bit yellow and a few were rotting, and they were put into pots, and it seems to suit them...or maybe it was just a fluke!

[susieq100]

Can I ask a garlic question - planted ours in October and it's Ok, but does not seem to be deep enough in the ground - looked at lots of piccies on other sites - I have basically largely 'neglected' it since it was planted. If I give the ground a good hoeing and feed them (perhaps a top dressing of chicken poo pellets) and then carefully put a little soil around the base of each plant so that they are more bedded in, would this help? When should they start fattening up? At the moment they look more like big spring onions than garlic? Sorry - first time garlic grower - I know nothing!

[zazen999]

Can I ask a garlic question - planted ours in October and it's Ok, but does not seem to be deep enough in the ground - looked at lots of piccies on other sites - I have basically largely 'neglected' it since it was planted. If I give the ground a good hoeing and feed them (perhaps a top dressing of chicken poo pellets) and then carefully put a little soil around the base of each plant so that they are more bedded in, would this help? When should they start fattening up? At the moment they look more like big spring onions than garlic? Sorry - first time garlic grower - I know nothing!

Sorry, what's wrong with them?

If you hoe make sure you are hoeing for a reason [weeds]. Sure, put a mulch around them, that won't hurt.

But if you put chicken poo pellets then you will get a lovely burst of more foliage with little fattening of the cloves.

As you can see from my picture above, the bases are starting to fatten up but they won't be ready until june/july time - or even august. The leaves will go brown and die back when they are ready.

[susieq100]

Thanks Zazen - they're not too weedy but I will mulch. Would lawn trimmings be OK?

[zazen999]

I have no lawn so couldn't say, sorry. I believe some use them for spuds so unless someone comes in shouting 'NO', then go for it.