Noobie needs help: Onions---when and how to plant.

[Arielle]

Fedco has better prices on the pkt size for sure; both companies interest me as no one company has all that I"m looking for.

 

[Arielle]

THis is a leek listed by FEdco. I have never used leeks because , well I dont have a use for the tops. To waste half the plant really bothers me. What I do like about this variety is that it could be used like a scallion. and can be e heeled into dirt for winter storage. Which brings me to what is "dirt" in this case? Just pots of garden soil??

2408LN Lincoln Leek (75 days) A leek with a dual purpose, Lincoln may be sown thickly like scallions, harvested in 50–60 days and bunched as finger-thicks for upscale direct markets and discerning chefs. Or, transplanted more conventionally, they may be allowed to grow another three weeks to full size. Shanks even longer and sleeker than King Richard's with delicate sweet leek flavor. Ready in late August, will withstand light frosts, but should be harvested before late October.

(Fedco)

 

[Arielle]

FEdco recommendations for planting and harvesting---

Alimentary Allia​

Allium spp. 1/16 oz packet about 400-600 seeds; 1 oz, 6,400-9,600. Start indoors in Feb. or March and transplant out in spring almost as soon as the ground can be worked. Set leeks 6–12" apart, onions 4–6" in trenches in well-dug beds with generous quantities of organic matter. Avoid transplanting next to grass strips; slugs love to dine on tiny allium seedlings. Irrigate seedlings whenever the topsoil dries out. Days to maturity are from date of transplanting.
For onions minimum germination temperature 50°, optimum range 60-70°, optimal temperature 68°, emergence 13 days at 50°, only 5 days at 68°, 99% normal seedlings at 68°. Because onions germinate poorly in temperatures above 70° we discourage the use of bottom heat.

Leeks​

Allium porrum All open-pollinated. Leeks have become a mainstay in our kitchens throughout the fall. Early leeks have tall shanks above ground and should be harvested before severe frosts. Hardier leeks have broader, shorter shanks and will hold till November. Leeks brought into the root cellar will survive almost all winter if heeled into dirt.

 

[keesmom]

I'm another one that can't find a single catalog with everything I want. I wish FEDCO didn't have that $30 minimum for the free shipping. I wait and get my seeds from them at either the tree sale in spring or the Common Ground Fair in fall.

I don't mind Pinetree's small packet size when I am trying something new. Don't have to waste much if I don't like it.

I am lucky one of our ME neighbors works for Johnny's. She often has extra plants of new varieties and is willing to share.

Now I just have to find veggies that rabbits WON'T eat. **** things destroyed my MA garden this year.

 

[Arielle]

LOL I wish I had a solution for you on the rabbits. Though I have visions of Peter Rabbit and Mr. ______ was on the right track . Rabbit is yummy. I just cant shoot them.

Small packets are a great way to try new varieites-- and at $30 that is the lowest minimum I have seen. I thought Johnny's on line was $200 minimum for free shipping but I've seen so many online catalogs now; at $30 FEdco was the lowest.

Can hardly wait for their 2015 catalog to come out in December!!!

 

[lazy gardener]

"dirt" in this case? Just pots of garden soil??

2408LN Lincoln Leek (75 days) A leek with a dual purpose, Lincoln may be sown thickly like scallions, harvested in 50–60 days and bunched as finger-thicks for upscale direct markets and discerning chefs. Or, transplanted more conventionally, they may be allowed to grow another three weeks to full size. Shanks even longer and sleeker than King Richard's with delicate sweet leek flavor. Ready in late August, will withstand light frosts, but should be harvested before late October.

(Fedco)

I've never tried leeks, may need to. Dirt: That's what I sweep up off my floors. Entirely too much of it, and it seems to be self propagating. I believe they are referring to SOIL. That's the stuff that plants grow in!

I'm another one that can't find a single catalog with everything I want. I wish FEDCO didn't have that $30 minimum for the free shipping. I wait and get my seeds from them at either the tree sale in spring or the Common Ground Fair in fall.

I don't mind Pinetree's small packet size when I am trying something new. Don't have to waste much if I don't like it.

I am lucky one of our ME neighbors works for Johnny's. She often has extra plants of new varieties and is willing to share.

Now I just have to find veggies that rabbits WON'T eat. **** things destroyed my MA garden this year.

I tried a new company called "seeds now". A lot of interesting varieties, cheap prices. Teeny - Tiny little packets, but a good way to try new stuff.

 

[keesmom]

I've never tried leeks, may need to.  Dirt:  That's what I sweep up off my floors.  Entirely too much of it, and it seems to be self propagating.  I believe they are referring to SOIL.  That's the stuff that plants grow in!

I tried a new company called "seeds now".  A lot of interesting varieties, cheap prices.  Teeny - Tiny little packets, but a good way to try new stuff.

I will have to check them out. Thanks!

 

[1muttsfan]

I have been growing onions for several years, they are amazingly rewarding. As are potatoes, I can't believe how much better a Yukon Gold out of the garden tastes.

However, my technique is not maybe perfect - they go in the garden with all the other plants, and get watered and fed the same. With 3 horses and chickens around, all my beds get generous helpings of organic matter. Usually we put in sweet onions for summer use, and red and yellow for storage (sweet onions do not store as well). You get better-sized plants in northern areas if you start from plantlets, or bulbs if plants are not available - the growing season is just so short (especially this year).

 

[Arielle]

I have been growing onions for several years, they are amazingly rewarding. As are potatoes, I can't believe how much better a Yukon Gold out of the garden tastes.

However, my technique is not maybe perfect - they go in the garden with all the other plants, and get watered and fed the same. With 3 horses and chickens around, all my beds get generous helpings of organic matter. Usually we put in sweet onions for summer use, and red and yellow for storage (sweet onions do not store as well). You get better-sized plants in northern areas if you start from plantlets, or bulbs if plants are not available - the growing season is just so short (especially this year).

The planting insturctions for hte onions is clear that their must be really good growth before the long days start to decrease as this is when the bulb starts to form and good strong greens seems to be an important part of the equation. You are re-emphasizing this with suggesting plantlets or bulbs.

THe $7 for about 50 plantlets seems expensive compared to the thousands of seeds to be had for about the same price. THe diffrence may be in the end results: loads of onions to store or nearly nothing for all the effort. Thanks for the reality check.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: ROFL

Yes, much too much dirt on my floors too. lol

I tried two potting soils last spring and I did NOT like either one of them. TOo many large particles like small twigs. ANd the material was too coarse for fine seeds. My mother used a product called "promix", a very very large bale of starter mix, but I have no idea where to find that.