Onions
One of the easier plants to grow, onions are easy care of planted correctly in a humus rich loose friable soil, they do not thrive in poor soils.
They do require a warm sunny position, the best time to plant onion sets is in March
In the UK it is best to prepare the soil in the allotment before planting, dig over well, add compost, try planting a green manure crop and digging it in two - three months before the season, and then lay some weed matting.
Transplants, or seedlings can then be planted through the matting, cut a cross in the matting and plant through, the matting will eliminate the weed problem and the onions will not have to compete for slight and nutrients. Plant at around 10cm apart in good soil.
Onions can also be grown from seed and many growers see this as the best way to grow disease free crops. Seeds need to panted into individual plugs in early february and them placed in a greenhouse with bottom heat until march when they can be planted out.
Onion Care
- Water during any dry spells to prevent bolting.
Remove weeds to elimnate competition, use weed matt or hoe weeds regularly.
Harvesting Onions
If you have prepared the soil well onions are easy to harvest, just ease them out of the ground, foliage and all.
- Remove the excess foliage and place in a cool dark place to dry.
- You can then cure them for storage in a warmer dry place, try a ventilated greenhouse or a poly tunnel, but not to hot.
- Once the skins have hardened they can be platted and hung in a cool, dark dry position, ready for use.
To buy seeds and plugs try:
VEGETABLE PLANTS DIRECT
Vegetable Plants Direct provide top quality young vegetable, herb and fruit plants some of which are from organic seed But all Grown without any chemicals in various plug and pot sizes which are all available mail order from our shop. We are a family run business based in the South West near Churchill In Somerset that is passionate about growing Veg and getting the nation to grow their own vegetables.
www.vegetableplantsdirect.co.uk
DEFLAND NURSERIES LIMITED
Benwick Road, Doddington March, Cambs. PE15 OTU
tel. 01354 740553 fax 01354 741200
Speci
alizing in Organic Plants for Garden Allotments. Vegetable, Salad, Herb, Strawberry and Ornamental Plants
www.organicplants.co.uk