Onions

Yes I know this isn't an onion, but isn't it pretty? It was a volunteer that germinated in early April. Somehow it survived and grew. It is my only blooming sunflower right now, though I have buds on another. I thought this was a Lemon Queen, but now I think that is a mix between that and another that has orange markings, because I can see faint markings on some of the flowers.

And now back to your regularly scheduled program

When I got back from vacation I saw my Ailsa Craig onions were dying back. Last year I had to knock them down in August to get them to start curing. This year they are weeks earlier.

I dry them for a couple of days in the sun. The best place is the pallets between the compost piles. They hold it very well. The only risk is one slips down between the slats and I lose it.

I also used my picket fence, but the foliage of the onion had dried so much that the onions kept falling off. Usually I have more living foliage on the onions to counter balance the bulbs.

Today I moved them inside after they had been drying for a couple of days. Last year they were on the dining room floor, but I was afraid the dog would play with them and onions aren't good for dogs. So this year I put them upstairs in the nursery. I will let them sit somewhere dry for about 2 weeks or until their outer layers are dry. Then hopefully there will be enough good foliage left to braid them. I could just cut the tops off and toss them in a mesh bag, but I've always liked the braided ones hanging. I'll store them in the basement. These won't last very long since they are a sweet onion. I have storage onions still growing - Copra, Redwing, and Varsity. Varsity is supposed to be a big onion, but I think the Copras are just as big this year. I might not grow that one again.