over wintering onions

[STEVEB]

When is the time to feed them and what do you all use?

[STEVEB]

[kt.]

I never feed my onions anything.  Once they are in... they are left to fend for themselves.  They have never filed me so far ;)

[hopalong]

Agree with kt lawson. The only thing I'm doing with mine now is hoeing to keep the weeds under control and to disturb the soil around the onions to help drainage and prevent "soil capping".

[elvis2003]

ditto all the above,although am wondering what soil capping means lol

[saddad]

Capping means when the very top layer (1cm) of the soil seals itself and makes a tough impermeable layer or cap. Worst on clay based soils, prevents small seedlings like carrots emerging and rain/nutrients through...
:)

I break the cap and rake in some growmore but not for a couple of weeks yet..

[shirlton]

I just hoe around mine  cos all the feed went in last year. I put all my broad bean haulms in the bottom of the spit and then top it with bonemeal and manure and leave it until I put the onions in. I am hoping that I have done enough to protect them against the dreaded alium moth

[cornykev]

I just scattered a couple of handfuls of chicken pellets on them about three weeks ago, I will have to get the hoe on them as mine has started to cap.  ;D ;D ;D

[shirlton]

Does anyone else have to protect their onions against leek moth or is it just me.

[KathrynH]

I always give my over wintering onions a feed of fish, bone and blood in March, just sprinkle a handful around the base of them and gently hoe in. I did mine yesterday. They always seem to put on a growth spurt after that and I have had a fantastic crop the last couple of years.

[saddad]

Touchwood... no problem with the moth yet...  :)

[PurpleHeather]

I know some one who feeds every thing with a dash of liquid feed in a watering can.

Personally I think they are short of something to do. At the allotment every morning and not allowed home until the wife has done the housework.

[lewic]

Capping means when the very top layer (1cm) of the soil seals itself and makes a tough impermeable layer or cap

Didnt realise there was a techy name for this! Mine has a thick crust, better get the hoe out.

Some of mine are quite close together (about 4 inches), should these be taken out or can they be transplanted?