skip to main content

Vegetable Gardening

Wala Wala Onions Cutting or not

15 years ago

I started wala wala onions from seed in march and transplanted them to my garden third week in May. I am zone 4. Do you recommend I still cut the green down to 3 inches or is this bad to do after they are in the ground. Currently they are about 8 inches tall I dont know how to attach a pic so here is a link. Also is it okay to put lawn mower clippings on top of these or is that a bad idea?

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:74114}}

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

Belgianpup
15 years ago
Has someone suggested that you cut the tops off? Why?

As far as I know, the only time you would want to cut the tops off is at harvest, not when they're growing.

Sue
aulani
15 years ago
The only thing I've been taught is that when they start to flower that you bend the tops over and leave them alone. The onion bulbs will continue to grow.
Related Discussions
Onion Depth
Q
Comments (6)
Agree with farmerdilla. I just harvested my crop of softball sized Candy's and Superstars and Walla Walla's should do that for you (assuming you're in the north). Actually from the pics they look like they may be a little deep already. I plant slips and only put them an inch in the ground, then water in well. They will then grow 1/2 to 2/3 out of the ground. www.dixondalefarms.com has most of what you need to know under FAQ and Guides - they're also an excellent supplier of slips.
...See More
Do you really cure onions on the ground for a week?!?!
Q
Comments (12)
I'm in my 3rd year growing onions in larger quantities. First year, I harvested and cured them on the floor of my shop with what I thought was good ventilation and cool temps from fear of sunburning them if let outside, I lost almost half to rot. Last year, pulled and cured like Michael by covering with the tops out in the garden and didn't lose a single one. I finally chopped the last 10 lbs last month and froze them as this year's crop was starting and the stored onions were sprouting. I've got about 600 in the ground and stopped watering 2 varieties yesterday. They'll come out of the ground this weekend and I'll cure them in the garden for a week or so before storing. Good luck Doug
...See More
Longest keeping onions?
Q
Comments (20)
Earlier in this string I posted some suggestions on germinating onions from seed. I neglected to address the topic of thinning, separating, and planting. By the way, the 4 to 5" media depth will encourage deep root development so THINNING AND SEPARATION ARE ONLY PRACTICAL EARLY in the first week or two after sprouting. The key is to scatter the seed thinly, ideally seed should be 1/2" apart. If you want more onions go to a 2nd container. To separate the plants for planting, spoon or trowel out a 2 to 3 inch diameter bundle of plants and media taking it clear down to the container bottom, and disturbing the roots as little as possible. Slosh the bundle gently around in a bucket of water washing the media off. Now it is very easy to separate the plants, select the largest and heavy rooted ones and plant them. I like to plant them at least 2" deep and they seem to like that fine. I plant in triple rows spaced ~6" apart staggering the plants in the rows at about the same 5 to 6" spacing. I get lots of big onions in a small space so long as I keep them weeded, heavily fed, and occasionally watered.
...See More
Fertilizer vs soil ph for sweet onions
Q
Comments (1)
I don't know how much pH of soil has to do with sweetness of Onions. My understanding is that sulfer in the soil, or in fertilizer, makes the Onions "hot". Vidalias, WalaWalas and the others are so sweet because they are grown in soils that are naturally low in sulfer. Why not use something like amonium nitrate? If the alkalinity of your soil is extreme, I would first get a soil test and see what they recommend. Sulfer based fertilizer will raise the pH of your soil, but there must be other ways of doing it if the sulfer is a concern. What about lots and lots of compost or other OM tilled into the soil? I would think that would at least moderate the alkalinity. Steve
...See More
dirtdauberz5mo
15 years ago
I've read that the time to give them a little haircut is when they're about 5-6 inches, and you take it down to 3-4". This is supposed to encourage more bulb growth. I tried it this year, cut too much too soon and killed almost half my onion sprouts. Yours look very nice and healthy, not sure cutting them now would be for the best. But yes, mulch them with grass clippings, or straw, no more than 3" deep.
eurolarva
Original Author
15 years ago
When I had them in peat pots it was recommended to me here to trim them growing inside under lights. They were growing under lights and very skinny and I kept trimming them back weekly and they became thicker by doing this. I wasnt sure if I should continue to trim or not now that they are planted and growing on their own. I will start putting clippings on them and not trim them. This is only my second year gardening and this is my first year starting every thing from seed. My early girls have golf ball size fruit on them already and the chives are blooming from last year. I have already harvested my first batch of raddishes. This site has been my guidance and I appreciate the help. Hopefully soon I will be able to repay by helping others.
grandpop1
15 years ago
Never heard of cutting onions back and I sure wouldn't do it. I'm starting to harvest my softball sized Candy's today. Each leaf produces a layer of onion and strong leaf growth before bulbing time is critical for nice large onions. Give Dixondale Farms a call and ask them about it. They are a premier onion grower and always happy to answer questions.
eurolarva
Original Author
15 years ago
So the onions are looking real good. A couple of them the leaves have fallen over but are still green. Should I wait for the leaves to turn yellow before harvesting them or wait even though the leaves are laying down?
grandpop1
15 years ago
When the leaves fall over, they're done growing.
lupiekindel61_hotmail_com
13 years ago
Where can i purchase wala wala onion seeds or plants in saskatchewan? or Canada?

Related Stories

LIFE You Showed Us: 20 Nutty Home Fixes

By Becky Harris

We made the call for your Band-Aid solutions around the house, and you delivered. Here's how you are making what's broken work again

DECORATING PROJECTS What to Do With Old Family Photos

By Jennifer Phelps: Organize. Design. Reinvent!

Find out how to research, share and preserve images that offer a connection to the past

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Design a Kitchen Island

By Vanessa Brunner

Size, seating height, all those appliance and storage options ... here's how to clear up the kitchen island confusion

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Add an Outdoor Shower

New project for a new year: Experience bathing in a whole new light with a shower in the fresh air

4 Easy Ways to Renew Your Bathroom Without Remodeling

By Vanessa Brunner

Take your bathroom from drab to fab without getting out the sledgehammer or racking up lots of charges

Sponsored

Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers

49 Reviews

Columbus Area's Luxury Design Build Firm | 17x Best of Houzz Winner!

More Discussions

Veggie Tales - April 2024

55

Ferry -Morse is garbage

14

Slug killer 1% Iron Phosphate vs. 5% Sodium Ferric?

2

Potato mold, disease or fungus?

15

Veggie Tales >>> May 2024

13