Allotments 4 All

Hi
Hope you dont think this is a daft question.  I went to the allotment today to do some weeding inbetween the over winter onions and garlic.  I accidently pulled one of the onions and it was about the size of a spring onion.  Is this normal or is there still time for them to bulk up.  I nearly cried.  I found it really odd that most of the weeds where only in the beds that the onions and garlic were in, and nowhere else! I vaguely remember adding bonemeal in the Autumn before I planted them.
I am a little perplexed, any advise would be appreciated.
This is my first real growing season.
Thank you

Greenqueen x

glad u asked this question as i noticed mind today which have gone the same! im hoping its normal ???  they did go soft couple weeks ago its my first time growing these and have loads i would be disappointed if they no good if they are fine im gonna have over hundred as we brought them for 1p a bag

Thats perfectly normal - they still have loads of time to bulk up.
You will always get a flush of weeds if the soil has been disturbed.  Often after a dig you get a flush of annual weeds - it's common practice to dig then wait a while for the seeds to germinate.  Then you can have a quick hoe and plant your own!

As said, normal size for this time of the year, I don't weed to close to the onions for fear of disturbing too many.   :)

I'm weeding close to my garlic.  I am using an onion hoe and hand weeding.  If you are careful there should be no problem.  If you have used bonemeal this might stimulate weed seed germination but I think that weeds are starting to germinate now in any case.  Weeds grow we just have to deal with it.

Most of the bulking for onions, garlic and shallots seems to take place in the last couple of months - i.e late spring - summer. Dont't cry - yours should be fine.

Yes..like other said..it's normal..but as your onions are going to put the growth on now..little general feed would do them good..if you have chicken pellets or something similar..that would be fine,,light sprinkle and bit of watering and they will soon bulk up... ;)

And give them a water; they usually bulk up from the spring rain but we haven't had much - giving them a good water at the moment during these dry spells will really help them along.

I only just planted my red onion setts today...........I hope its not too late ???

Nobbs xx

Quote from: aj on April 16, 2011, 22:17:09
And give them a water; they usually bulk up from the spring rain but we haven't had much - giving them a good water at the moment during these dry spells will really help them along.

I was told and have since read that onions do not need much water when they have started to "bulb" unless we have a prolonged severe drought.So I follow that line myself.But if you do water them,please remember to water at the base.Watering on the leaves can cause mildew if the temperature and humidity is right!

Well onions don't generally need much water..but if any fertilizer is applied then that will need to be watered down to it have any effect.

They don't usually need much water because it usually rains in the uk!

When we have prolonged spells of drought in the UK - they do.

IMHO.

My onions and garlics needed weeding down at the base of the stems too, I sat down and hand weeded all of them (about 50) , then gave them a 6X fertilser and then watered them because there seems to be no sign of a good old April shower yet, I'm hoping that will set them up for the bulk up because they are nothing more than large spring onions at the moment.

:)

I've given my Winter onions and shallots a good watering earlier.    8)