2013 Largest Onion Contest

How's everyone's onions doing? With the weird weather this year, my onions have fallen over a few weeks earlier than normal so I pulled & hung them to cure.

This morning, I start cleaning them prior to processing/storing them and I thought it might be fun to have a Texas Garden Forum largest onion contest. Only specific rules I can think of would be:

1) Has to be 2013 harvest
2) Has to be home grown
3) Required to have picture with scales showing

Just looking to have some fun with it. If interested, post your thoughts and entries. I'll go first...


This message was edited May 22, 2013 10:56 AM

which variety is that?

White Granex.

I'm glad you posted this because I'll assume you know something about growing onions! Here's what mine look like now. How do I know when to stop watering them and let them fall over and dry up?! Or what is the correct procedure to harvest them? They are just labeled "sweet onion bulbs" and got a bag of 50 from Wallyworld on impulse! And it's the first time I'm using the Dirt Bags too. I'll join in the contest once I can harvest :) Janet

Onions are pretty fool proof when it comes to knowing when they are ready to harvest because of the unmistakable sign they give. An onion is done growing when the green tops lose their color and 'fall over'.

The only exception to the fallen tops signal is when an onion bolts, which means it sends up a flower stalk. If this happens, harvest immediately because it won't grow any larger. In addition, the quality of the onion will be affected since the flower stalk comes from the center of the onion. You'll also want to use these onions quickly because they don't store well.

Well, you have me beat! My largest one (that's still around) is only 12 ounces (a 1015Y onion). Daughter absconded with the biggest one before it was even ready to harvest! LOL

Regarding harvesting the onions that bolt.... don't you let them flower and harvest the seeds for the next year?

Also, I'm curious as to how you process your onions.

Thanks! Just one more question. Is there something about stopping watering them at some point?

Stop watering them when green tops lose their color and 'fall over', otherwise the chance of rot increases dramatically. Also make sure that they are cured prior to storage.

Thanks. I'll post again when I'm ready to weigh in!