tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post7191027930261653206..comments2024-03-24T11:10:13.186-04:00Comments on The Gardening Me: Starting OnionsMargarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-47683919965365538752015-03-14T11:36:19.712-04:002015-03-14T11:36:19.712-04:00My method is a bit finicky, but I find it comforti...My method is a bit finicky, but I find it comforting to know that the seeds are viable & that every seed I sow will actually come up. Having said that, the leek seeds I subsequently purchased were incredibly small, so I decided to try sowing them directly - it's been 6 days and they have not come up yet, so of course, I am now all worried & it's taking some discipline not to start rooting around in the soil to see what's going on!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-66913346168098525222015-03-14T08:06:59.320-04:002015-03-14T08:06:59.320-04:00I've already done some trays of leeks and red ...I've already done some trays of leeks and red banana shallots using the scatter method but now trying the pre-chitting approach for the 2nd batch having just read this post!David Shinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01349275095909121230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-51112873239065548832015-03-02T09:36:46.050-05:002015-03-02T09:36:46.050-05:00That's great to know. I hadn't heard of R...That's great to know. I hadn't heard of Red Bull...sounds like thats another variety to try in the future.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-22895138941922729932015-03-01T20:57:45.865-05:002015-03-01T20:57:45.865-05:00I have grown both Red Wing and Red Bull and they b...I have grown both Red Wing and Red Bull and they both store very well, at least as long as the Copra onions.David Veltenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07710293718143454000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-59903021048969471732015-02-28T18:37:02.004-05:002015-02-28T18:37:02.004-05:00This weather is no treat to live in, that's fo...This weather is no treat to live in, that's for sure...but at least it makes you that much more appreciative of the spring when it finally arrives.<br /><br />I'm thinking of trying two different leek varieties - one is an early variety, so it will definitely have time to size up. The other one is a later maturing fall variety - with the weather being so variable these days, you never know - I may get lucky.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-25430898380764843842015-02-28T13:42:38.080-05:002015-02-28T13:42:38.080-05:00Those weather statistics make depressing reading! ...Those weather statistics make depressing reading! I hope your onions will be quick-growing ones, so that they can make up for a late start.Mark Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04558305122821209520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-19194655155191962192015-02-28T10:29:02.819-05:002015-02-28T10:29:02.819-05:00Thanks! Mine are just now peaking through the soi...Thanks! Mine are just now peaking through the soil - this is the first bit of green that I'm seeing this year so it's a bit of a thrill!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-20672076883838814002015-02-28T07:51:28.005-05:002015-02-28T07:51:28.005-05:00Nice varieties Margaret! I want to try Copra and A...Nice varieties Margaret! I want to try Copra and Alisa Craig onions next year. I see a lot of gardeners plant them. I sowed my onions the first week of January and they are hanging in. They take so long to grow, I hope they will be ready when it's time for transplanting. 4theluvofgardeninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16394587994091953050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-10077137174438075612015-02-27T18:15:16.574-05:002015-02-27T18:15:16.574-05:00I hope that you do a post when you sow/transplant ...I hope that you do a post when you sow/transplant those onions - I would love to see your method!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-89707797532452629452015-02-27T18:02:45.340-05:002015-02-27T18:02:45.340-05:00Our house is VERY dry in the winter - not so great...Our house is VERY dry in the winter - not so great for my hands...I need a bottle of lotion in practically every room - but I guess it's good for the onions, so at least that's something! I'll be crossing my fingers that those shallots hold up well for you next year.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-40843410775884676272015-02-27T18:00:06.357-05:002015-02-27T18:00:06.357-05:00I guess the good news is that there always seems t...I guess the good news is that there always seems to be new varieties to try and hopefully you will hit on a good one for your area. Not sure if you tried it yet, but Johnny's has one intermediate-day variety that they state is an "excellent red storage type" called Ruby Ring - http://www.johnnyseeds.com/p-6797-ruby-ring.aspx.<br /><br />And looks like we are both holding our breath when it comes to our trees - hopefully we will be breathing big sighs of relief come spring....whenever that may be.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-68180964607361555792015-02-27T16:50:40.926-05:002015-02-27T16:50:40.926-05:00I am envious of your wonderful production last yea...I am envious of your wonderful production last year ... I don't seem to grow onions well and keep trying different options (sets, seeds, etc.). I have some seeds to start this year but I'll have a late start - when I do, my plan is to scatter them into a large styrofoam seedling tray. Then I'll split off 3 or so seedlings and transplant to a larger container before going into the garden. That has worked for me in the past but not always successful. I look forward to reading about your many varieties!Susiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10354350096358468967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-54659418304444974082015-02-27T14:41:27.715-05:002015-02-27T14:41:27.715-05:00Sadly even good storage onions don't store ver...Sadly even good storage onions don't store very well here. Some disease gets them and they rot. So I work to use them up in January so I don't have rotting onions in my basement (ick). I'm hoping the shallots store better. But time will tell. Daphne Gouldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305049560953735881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-52986652282172960562015-02-27T14:05:25.951-05:002015-02-27T14:05:25.951-05:00I wish I could find a storage onion that does well...I wish I could find a storage onion that does well at our latitude. We are in the intermediate day zone for onions and the ones that do well aren't great keepers. I have tried several of the long day types, but they have never bulbed up for me.<br /><br />I hear your sigh about the fruit trees. Our blackberries did not do well last year, no doubt due to the cold winter then. And I just planted a persimmon tree last fall. I am crossing my fingers that it made it through our cold winter. I lost a big one last year, so I am not holding my breath!Dave @ HappyAcreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03441364543023807886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-22439802149786392732015-02-27T09:19:11.832-05:002015-02-27T09:19:11.832-05:00Yes...that is a LOT of onions. I decided to grow ...Yes...that is a LOT of onions. I decided to grow the same amount as last year - we are about 6 months in from the harvest and, based on how many onions are left, it looks like I will meet my goal of eating exclusively from the harvest. I'm certain I didn't grow too few, but it's still too soon to say if I grew the right amount or WAY too many. I'll have to wait until August, once the new crop is harvested, to find out.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-72814978936560523772015-02-27T09:07:53.289-05:002015-02-27T09:07:53.289-05:00That's interesting about the Copra - I had nev...That's interesting about the Copra - I had never considered that their flavour may get stronger as they store - I haven't really noticed a difference but that's probably because I use them almost exclusively in cooked dishes where they are quite mellow. I'm thrilled that you are also growing Red Wing onions - like you, I love comparing notes about different varieties with others - this will be fun! Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-66396736397857937722015-02-26T21:37:08.255-05:002015-02-26T21:37:08.255-05:00Oh, my! What a lot of onions. I hope they all do...Oh, my! What a lot of onions. I hope they all do well for you. The weather here has been something else also. Nancy Cozy Thyme Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933769393226611441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-17327856826174813482015-02-26T21:23:34.247-05:002015-02-26T21:23:34.247-05:00I love comparing notes with other gardeners. I am ...I love comparing notes with other gardeners. I am growing Copra, Redwing, and Evergreen Onions this year. Copra has been my standard for several years and is still doing very well in storage. The flavor is getting very strong though. It is my first year growing Redwing. I hope it stores well.Rachelhttp://growagoodlife.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-88068703005468628702015-02-26T14:38:27.410-05:002015-02-26T14:38:27.410-05:00That's the one good thing about being buried i...That's the one good thing about being buried in snow - at least your trees & plants are safe. I hope that I don't get too much dieback or, even worse, that one of my trees doesn't make it. After all these years waiting for that big harvest, it would be quite the letdown.<br /><br />I felt so bad when I heard about your grass seeds - I've had so plenty of those "knew it in the back of my mind but ignored it" moments & you just kick yourself (several times) afterwards. Hopefully you can get in on some spring deals at the garden center. Have a great weekend too - we should be back to "normal" temps by the end of the weekend - let's hope they're right about that.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-2353882554872413442015-02-26T10:46:06.196-05:002015-02-26T10:46:06.196-05:00I'll be following your updates on Red Wing--I...I'll be following your updates on Red Wing--I have wanted to try a red onion (love the sweet mild flavor), but had always heard they don't store well. Hopefully this one will be a winner!<br />We've had the same temps as you. I feel like a very hardy soul when I look at my calendar. We've also had quite a few days in the MINUS 20-30 degree range. Not much snow either down here--which always makes me worry about trees, etc. <br />Have a wonderful weekendSuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10122524042294993949noreply@blogger.com