There is never a need to break the necks of onions to make them lie down dead as some people do year after year.
This practice opens up the tissues round the neck of the onion and has the potential to allow spores into the flesh. These spores will eventually cause the onions to rot in storage and become useless. Far better to let onions fall over naturally in their own good time.
This year, I reckon they've fallen over naturally some four weeks earlier than usual due to the heat.
Also due to the heat and drought, they're all considerably smaller than normal but hopefully the dry conditions will have allowed longer-keeping onions to have been produced.
When they have died back, remove from the soil and allow them to sit on wire mesh racking or similar out of doors until completely dry. If rain threatens cover them over, it's quite crucial to try and keep them dry during the next week or two.
Before putting onions out to dry, I always remove the outer soiled skins and take the onion back to a complete skin all round; this is because my theory is that most of the soil-borne microbes that cause onions to rot in storage are contained in the minute pieces of soil hiding behind the first few outer leaves.
After a week or so outside, they'll all be a glorious uniform tanned colour and can be hung on strings in the shed, greenhouse or garage of your choice.
The Newcastle Allotment and Garden show takes place on September 3 in the Civic Centre from 11am until 4pm. It's free to enter for viewing and also free to enter for all city gardeners, not just those on allotments. There are many classes for experienced and novices alike as well as children's competitions.
Entry forms available from Michael Cranston on (0191) 211 6217.
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