[Matt Mc Girr]

I created a raised bed about 2 years ago , it 4 blocks high and 4 feet wide and 25 feet long and has at least 18 to 20 inches of good top soil in it.

I grow a variety of veg but for the past 2 years onions both ordinary and red and shallots have not kept for more than a month or 2 after lifting them in August.

They appear to start rotting from the neck down.

Can anyone give me a reason why this should occur

Regards

Matt

[Greengage]

Sounds like Onion neck rot whichis a disease of onions and shallots caused by the fungus Botrytis allii. Plants infected by the fungus usually appear perfectly healthy whilst the crop is growing. Symptoms are not usually seen on the bulbs until they have been in store for several weeks.
The following may help.
1.Ensure that seed or sets are obtained from a reputable company
2. Practice crop rotation, and don't grow onions for three years in soil where the disease has occurred
4.Avoid excessive use of nitrogen and late (i.e. after July) application of fertiliser
5.Water the crop regularly during dry spells.
There are no fungicides available to the amateur grower but some suppliers treat their bulbs to reduce infection.