Onions

Nozebleed · Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 7:19 pm Post subject: Onions

Couple of questions regarding my Onions.

1. Are my onions suffering thick neck?
2. are thick neck onions still edible?
3. I had 7 onions bolt thus far. im expecting a few more. i trimmed the seed head off. will this continue to grow and produce an edible bulb?

4. When are shallots ready to harvest? im happy how mine are progressing. just wondering when i can harvest!! they're only down since march 23rd'ish.

thanks

michael brenock · Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 8:56 pm Post subject:

not all thick necked onions will bolt. Thick necked onions are usually the result of too much Nitrogen at the early part of the season, Thick necks very often precede big leaves, the bigger the leaves the bigger the bulbs, but thick necks are harder to dry and do not store as well. Onions that bolt become woody and are edible early on but become very tough in a matter of a week or two. Bolting is usually beyond your control but thick necks can be reduced in numbers by for example planting closer together.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

Nozebleed · Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 9:04 pm Post subject:

thanks Michael. much appreciated. you're always there when needed..thank you.

sirpsycho · Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 10:16 pm Post subject:

More red onions bolting, just like mine. Once I spot the flower head I usually give mine a week or two and then full em and eat them.

I think you can pull some shallots once they are a decent size. It's only when the foilage starts to droop and turn brown, they have stopped growing and it's time to take out.

sirpsycho · Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 10:17 pm Post subject:

By they way, it's my first year growing shallots and I'm only repeating stuff that I read about them. Take with a pinch of salt! Smile