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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: RenishawPhil on July 25, 2011, 12:30:59

Title: onions - when to lift?
Post by: RenishawPhil on July 25, 2011, 12:30:59
I see people are starting to lift their onions. Some of my bigger ones still have lush green tops. Some of thr smaller ones have fallen over. Am I better lifting them sooner rather then later?. Two years ago we had a wet period in august and loads rotted.  Shall I leVel them in.until the weather looks like it might change
Title: Re: onions - when to lift?
Post by: hippydave on July 25, 2011, 13:58:38
well ive bent my tops over for lifting this weekend because i had the same problem as you last year and they never got to dry properly so im getting in early this time.
Title: Re: onions - when to lift?
Post by: RenishawPhil on July 25, 2011, 14:01:25
Quote from: hippydave on July 25, 2011, 13:58:38
well ive bent my tops over for lifting this weekend because i had the same problem as you last year and they never got to dry properly so im getting in early this time.

Think I.might do same Dave tonight:)
Title: Re: onions - when to lift?
Post by: goodlife on July 25, 2011, 14:15:37
Mine are still in full growth, but once they are ready I dry them in GH...rain or not..
Title: Re: onions - when to lift?
Post by: powerspade on July 25, 2011, 14:19:40
Mine are still growing. I always wait until the leaves bend over on their own as thats the way they are telling me that they had finished swelling and ready for harvesting
Title: Re: onions - when to lift?
Post by: antipodes on July 25, 2011, 14:33:56
As I don't have much room to dry them I usually wait till the stems are pretty much dead. But I have already lifted mine this year, they are "curing" in the shed until I can trim and bag them.
Title: Re: onions - when to lift?
Post by: Unwashed on July 25, 2011, 14:40:54
My tops are still green but most are folding over now.  I'll leave them till next week then pull them up and leave to dry on the surface for a day or so.
Title: Re: onions - when to lift?
Post by: cornykev on July 25, 2011, 18:49:24
I pulled most of mine up, mainly because I'm going away and I think the onion fairy will pay a visit, but if you have wet weather then its worth getting them up, I left some with greenery still on them in the ground along with a few shallots but most of mine are drying out.    ;D