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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Tatty on May 03, 2010, 19:25:57

Title: A few questions...
Post by: Tatty on May 03, 2010, 19:25:57
Hi, could anybody answer these question for me please?

How well would onions and shallots cope with a dry spell - I am ashamed to say I left some to get on with it and they got very dry - have watered them now !

I have some really long thick stems on my rhubarb - do they have to turn red to be ready? these are still green but very big - rhubarb also flowering - does this mean anything?

Would peas/beans cope next to potatoes? I have a bed that is approx 6ft by 12ft - was going to put some pots in there but have realised it would be great to have some frames and grow beans/peas there - any way I could fit in the two? Only for this year as would not buy too many pots next year like I have this time! Don't want to waste the pots so if this wouldn't work they will get the space!

Thank you
Title: Re: A few quick questions...
Post by: Baccy Man on May 03, 2010, 19:35:09
Quote from: Tatty on May 03, 2010, 19:25:57
How well would onions and shallots cope with a dry spell - I am ashamed to say I left some to get on with it and they got very dry - have watered them now !
Shouldn't be a problem.

Quote from: Tatty on May 03, 2010, 19:25:57
I have some really long thick stems on my rhubarb - do they have to turn red to be ready? these are still green but very big - rhubarb also flowering - does this mean anything?
No they don't have to turn red. Flower stem should be removed ASAP as they reduce the vigour of the plant.

Quote from: Tatty on May 03, 2010, 19:25:57
Would peas/beans cope next to potatoes? I have a bed that is approx 6ft by 12ft - was going to put some pots in there but have realised it would be great to have some frames and grow beans/peas there - any way I could fit in the two? Only for this year as would not buy too many pots next year like I have this time! Don't want to waste the pots so if this wouldn't work they will get the space!
Peas or beans would grow fine alongside potatoes it's onions & garlic they don't get on with. It could mess with your crop rotation but if it is just a one off then thats not a major issue.
Title: Re: A few questions...
Post by: Tatty on May 03, 2010, 19:48:00
That is great - thank you for replying so quickly!

Will take off the flowers tomorrow :)
Title: Re: A few questions...
Post by: antipodes on May 04, 2010, 09:05:37
My rhubarb never goes very red, some varieties stay fairly green. Go by the size of the stalk.

Mine flowered a LOT this year, I cut off loads of flowers and strangely enough the stems are now growing from the flower stalk too  ???  Rhubarb is a surprising plant!
Title: Re: A few questions...
Post by: sarah on May 04, 2010, 11:01:45
i never water onions or shallots unless there is a really prolonged period of hot dry weather. 
Title: Re: A few questions...
Post by: tomatoada on May 04, 2010, 12:20:24
I did not know about peas and beans not getting on with o
Quote from: Baccy Man on May 03, 2010, 19:35:09
Quote from: Tatty on May 03, 2010, 19:25:57
How well would onions and shallots cope with a dry spell - I am ashamed to say I left some to get on with it and they got very dry - have watered them now !
Shouldn't be a problem.

Quote from: Tatty on May 03, 2010, 19:25:57
I have some really long thick stems on my rhubarb - do they have to turn red to be ready? these are still green but very big - rhubarb also flowering - does this mean anything?
No they don't have to turn red. Flower stem should be removed ASAP as they reduce the vigour of the plant.

Quote from: Tatty on May 03, 2010, 19:25:57
Would peas/beans cope next to potatoes? I have a bed that is approx 6ft by 12ft - was going to put some pots in there but have realised it would be great to have some frames and grow beans/peas there - any way I could fit in the two? Only for this year as would not buy too many pots next year like I have this time! Don't want to waste the pots so if this wouldn't work they will get the space!
Peas or beans would grow fine alongside potatoes it's onions & garlic they don't get on with. It could mess with your crop rotation but if it is just a one off then thats not a major issue.
[/quote

I did not know peas and beans do not get on with onions and garlic.  Any reason for this?
Title: Re: A few questions...
Post by: Baccy Man on May 04, 2010, 13:23:02
Alliums inhibit the growth of legumes & a few herbs it is more of a problem when the alliums are already established & something is planted next to them, if planted around the same time the legumes often become established before the alliums begin changing the soil chemistry around them.
Try planting a few peas around established onions or garlic & you will soon notice that the alliums are fine but the peas growth is stunted. It's a bit like companion planting in reverse.
Title: Re: A few questions...
Post by: tomatoada on May 04, 2010, 15:02:42
Thanks.    Interesting.