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Harvesting onions
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Posted by rj_hythloday 8A (My Page) on Wed, Oct 29, 08 at 6:17
| I know I'm supposed to harvest them when the tops die back, but it just isn't happening. I didn't plant until the first of June. I can't tell you the type, they were the only ones at the store when I got them, definitely a yellow and very pungent. I seem to remember the were like 90 days which is well past. I'm going to get frost soon and would like to get a cover crop in. I just don't know what to do w/ these in the ground. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Harvesting onions
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- Posted by grandad 9a Louisiana/Sun’t28 (My Page) on
Wed, Oct 29, 08 at 16:02
| Might be a timing issue... E.g... In my state (Louisiana) we plant the short day onions in the fall (seeds) and winter (plants) and harvest the onions the following spring when the tops die back (as you noted in your post). You probably should check the planting guide for your state and determine your particular timing. Also, in my location frosts & freezes do not have an impact on onions. Neither last long enough to hurt the plants. |
RE: Harvesting onions
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| The greens are huge, they've been in the ground so long, it makes me think they might need to be pulled regardless of tops dying back. The amount of space they've got and how longs they'be been in the ground I don't think I'll do them again. Maybe I'll pull one must to see what it looks like. |
RE: Harvesting onions
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- Posted by grandad 9a Louisiana/Sun’t28 (My Page) on
Thu, Oct 30, 08 at 13:29
| Our planting guide shows onions can take up to 210 days from planting seeds or 150 days from plants to harvest. What state are you in? |
RE: Harvesting onions
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| wow, that's a long time. I'm in Norfolk,VA. I pulled one up and it's got like nothing there. I guess I can leave them till Dec/Jan. Although, they are in the way of making another compost pile and my raised beds that I'll be planting next year. I'm amazed the packaging said 90 days and to plant as late as May/June. |
RE: Harvesting onions
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- Posted by grandad 9a Louisiana/Sun’t28 (My Page) on
Fri, Oct 31, 08 at 11:35
| The guide below shows 100-120 days from planting (sets I think) to harvest... What variety did you plant? |
Here is a link that might be useful: Onions, Garlic & Shallots - Virginia Coop Ext
RE: Harvesting onions
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- Posted by grandad 9a Louisiana/Sun’t28 (My Page) on
Fri, Oct 31, 08 at 16:21
| I see now from your first post that you don't know the variety.. It could be that the onions you purchased were not best suited for your state.. I've noted that sometimes local retailers will carry vegetable seeds/plants/sets that just won't do well if planted here. By the way, did you use the plant you pulled? You may get some value out of your plants even though they don't bulb up. |
RE: Harvesting onions
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| Thanks for the feedback grandad, I just put it back, I thought it might have a chance even though disturbed. I've got plenty of scapes from some green onions I planted. My wife got some store bought last summer, so I cut 'em down to the whites and planted those. They've done really well, but I may have to pull them up soon. Their in the way also. I've heard they can do alright indoors, I thought I might try and transplant to a container. |
RE: Harvesting onions
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| You can shorten the harvest time by planting onion plants (sets). |
Here is a link that might be useful: Onion Plants
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