[auntyfifi]

Well, its me again, I seem to be asking lots of questions on this site, but I have to say the responses have been really helpful.

I have just read a query regarding garlic which was so helpful , as I was wondering when to pull my own bulbs up.  But it made me think, how do I know when my onions are ready. I have planted red and white, and although the green shoots are really long and healthy looking the actual bulb bits dont look that great.  They are still quite small. 

Also is it a good idea to give them some liquid fertilizer to help them on their way.  A friend gave me some, that she had collected from her wormery??

Cheers Fif's xxxx

[Ice]

If they are green and healthy I wouldn't bother feeding them now.  They are ready when the green leaves turn yellow and fall over in july/august time.

[Salmo]

 The fen growers say that onions do not look like a crop until Derby day. Spring planted onions start to put on weight now. All they need now is sunshine and water, but not too much of the latter

[nipper31]

The fen growers say that onions do not look like a crop until Derby day. Spring planted onions start to put on weight now. All they need now is sunshine and water, but not too much of the latter

When is Derby Day??

[Salmo]

It is the day they run the Derby.

[nipper31]

It is the day they run the Derby.

  ha ha..........
today then???

[mumofstig]

That'll be today then  

That's a ditto then 

[auntyfifi]

mumofstig, I am thinking you are my oracle in the gardening world LOL

[JohnB47]

Well, its me again, I seem to be asking lots of questions on this site, but I have to say the responses have been really helpful.

I have just read a query regarding garlic which was so helpful , as I was wondering when to pull my own bulbs up.  But it made me think, how do I know when my onions are ready. I have planted red and white, and although the green shoots are really long and healthy looking the actual bulb bits dont look that great.  They are still quite small. 

Also is it a good idea to give them some liquid fertilizer to help them on their way.  A friend gave me some, that she had collected from her wormery??

Cheers Fif's xxxx

When are they ready? Well, when they've visibly bulbed up and the tops go yellow and flop over. Yours, like mine, have a few weeks to go yet.

Some people do feed them. I've read that comfrey tea is good at this stage (the bulb fattening stage) and I'm hoping to try that on my spring planted ones shortly. You can also buy food specifically for onions but a general feed, like growmore or chicken pellets are used commonly too.

Not sure about worm juice. I've got a wormery and I've yet to discover what the juice is good for (definitely not for tomatoes).