Onion harvest.

[brownfingers]

My onions have just gone over. I always seem to have trouble with curing them, so I'd like some advice. I've just taken this piccy to show the state of play. Do they need to be left for the tops to go more yellow? If so how long? The necks still look rather thick. Last year, after lifting them, I dried them for a few weeks on a rack outside, but they still didn't seem to cure properly and I ended up having to freeze a lot. Any suggestions gratefully accepted.

[brownfingers]

No onion efficienados at large then?

[veggiechicken]

I'd leave them until they all fall over, maybe lift them up a bit out of the ground but leave them rooted...........I'm sure an expert will be along soon

[RaptorUK]

No onion efficienados at large then?

I'm no expert but I'll be waiting for my Shallots and Onions to fall over properly and start to go brown on the majority of the leaves . . . then I'll start thinking about lifting them to start drying.

[arpoet]

Like VC says, as long as its dry and warm weather, leave em out for a few weeks yet.

ps. I used to be a pert before I retired, so will I do?

[andy_j]

I planted around 600 dets of different yellow, red and white onions in late April. They have exceeded all expectations and grown like mad.

Last week, i thought the bulbs looked nice and large so i started pulling them for eating. If i need an onion or two for dinner, i pop down the lotty and pull a couple. I'm not sure ive done it right, they haven't gone over and ive not lifted any to dry...i just pull them when i want to eat them (or give them away) !!!!

[brownfingers]

Like VC says, as long as its dry and warm weather, leave em out for a few weeks yet.

ps. I used to be a pert before I retired, so will I do?

I know you Sheffielders are a strage lot, but what's a pert?

[RaptorUK]

I know you Sheffielders are a strage lot, but what's a pert?

If you are no longer a "pert" then you could be considered to be an ex - "pert"

[Bill HH]

From your picture I would say they have a way to go before lifting.

[brownfingers]

If you are no longer a "pert" then you could be considered to be an ex - "pert"

DUH! Should have twigged that one.

[Bex]

Like Andy I'm at the harvesting just to eat stage, I'll leave the rest in the ground until they fall over and start to dry out


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[Chippy Minton]

I'm with the majority, I'd wait a while until they all lie down. In fact I usually wait so long I have to find the bulbs

I heard a great definition:
ex - is something from the past
spurt - is a drip under pressure

Not flattering....

[Florence Fennel]

I know you Sheffielders are a strage lot

Oi tyke, who are you calling strage? Watch it owd lad

[Florence Fennel]

I've lifted my brown and red onions BF, but the whites are still at the same stage as yours, so I'm leaving them in the hope that they swell a bit more before the leaves brown

[brownfingers]

Oi tyke, who are you calling strage? Watch it owd lad

I take it all back: you lot are not in the least bit strage.