Onions

Sturon

This is my choice of onion set and I have grown this variety for a number of years. It has a straw coloured bulb and is bolt resistant and is a good keeper.

Plant at least 4-6 inches apart in rows of 9-12 inches in March to April just below the ground surface where they will be protected from all but the worst of any late frosts. Keep weed free by hoeing or hand pulling.

Harvest two weeks after the tops start to topple over as in the picture opposite. Then pull and lay out to dry in the sun as long as possible before hanging in a cool dry place.

Onions appear to be at least somewhat effective against colds, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and other diseases and contain anti-inflammatory, anticholesterol, anticancer, and antioxidant components such as quercetin.

Cooking

The onion is the best accompanists in the kitchen with uses in soups, stews, casseroles and so on.

Onion Soup.

2oz butter

1 1/2 lb finely chopped onion

1 level Tblsp flour

2 pints of stock beef or chicken

Salt and pepper to taste

to serve thick slices of toasted french bread and cheese.

Melt butter and cook onions gently until soft. Add the flour and seasoning and cook for a further 2 minutes. Stir in stock and bring to the boil and simmer for 30 minutes.

Pest and diseases

Onion Fly - attracted by the smell of damaged foliage. Lift and burn infected bulbs.

White Rot -fungal growth at base of bulb treat as above and grow in different place the following year.

Neck Rot - neck of bulb goes soft and brown. Removed diseased bulbs.