Onion Starts

I have a newbie question!

The onion starts are in the stores now. If I grab some of them, can I store them in the fridge? If not, how do I store them to keep them from sprouting?

It's snowing...... I can't get them in the ground yet.

I assume since you are worried about sprouting that you are talking about sets rather than onion plants. If so just store them in a cool dark place. In 8b, you should be able to set them as as the ground dries out a bit. In 8a I can plant them anytime during the winter as the ground rarely freezes. Refrigerator will work for short term, but the humidity is so high that rot and mold can occur. Sprouting won't hurt them, but you don't want them to get any size.

I have snow sometime up to mother's day. They would be ok in that?

You're right - I did mean sets.

As long as the ground does not freeze solid, they should be fine

I thought I was paying attention, but apparently not well enough.

The ground does freeze - I drive on frozen mud quite often - but I am not sure how deep it freezes.

Maybe I'd better wait.

Interesting USDA zones are based on average annual minimum temps, 8b averages 5 degrees higher than 8a, and our ground rarely ever freezes any. But if the ground does freeze, then you do need to wait until the spring thaw. Even in 7b one can plant onions this time of year.

I'm in a valley with a microclimate and it's not on any of the charts.

It got down to 9 degrees once last year. I understand that that was the coldest it had been in many years.

Wow, rosewynd, I'm surprised it gets THAT cold there. We live just down the hill from you in Lake Elsinore area. Had some unusual slush the week before Christmas and a couple nights at 28 to 32 degrees, but coldest day was 56 and yesterday it was 79 daytime. We are at 1300 ft, what is your elevation? We were up your way for a horse show a year ago Nov and we were pretty cold what with the wind and all (plus most folks did not bring more than sweatshirts!).

Farmerdill,
I bought short-day onion plants (or whatever it is that makes an actual BULB onion) from Dixondale Farms and need to plant them this weekend. My problem is I don't have any GROUND to plant them in. Can I successfully grown them in 24" planters from Sam's Club/Costco? I also have many other 14" black containers (deep) that are available. Please advise planting instructions soonest as this is my last weekend to get them in the potting mix (per the instructions that came with them) -- which said to plant within 3 weeks of receiving, and it's already been two weeks!

Thanks!

Linda

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE

Possibly, I don't have any experience growing onions in containers. You do need to get them in the ground. Short day onions are normally transplanted in October- November here.

I'm over 4000 ft. I'm just going to put them in the ground today and see what happens.

Linda, I grow short day onions very sucessfully in containers.

BocaBob

Linda, remember to place them 4 to 6 inches apart. How deep are the 24" planters? They might need at least 8 inches depth to grow unstunted.

~* Robin