Boardash: ArcaMax Gardening Daily Tips for Monday September 28, 2009

Sunday, September 27, 2009

ArcaMax Gardening Daily Tips for Monday September 28, 2009

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Q&A: Onions Tend to Rot

Question: My onions grew well in the garden, but when I harvested them, many were mushy and rotting inside. I followed the correct drying procedures. What went wrong?

Answer: Your onions probably had bacterial neck rot. The bacteria enter the neck of the onions through wounds made during growing, harvesting and curing. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do once your onions have the disease, but you can prevent neck rot in future crops. Avoid using mulch and take care not to wound the tops while cultivating. When selecting varieties, plant onion seeds rather than sets, which can carry the disease over from year to year, and avoid white and thick necked varieties such as 'Sweet Spanish,' which are more susceptible to the disease. To harvest and cure onions properly, wait until 75% of the tops have fallen over naturally, gently dig/pull all the onions and store them in a dry, shady place with good ventilation, such as an outdoor shed or barn, for 10 days to two weeks. After the onions have cured, put them in slatted crates or mesh bags and store them indoors in a cellar with low humidity and temperatures between 33F and 45F.

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Q&A: Lawn is Hard Underfoot

Question: My lawn looks fairly healthy but is very hard under foot. Would aerating help?

Answer: If your soil is composed of compacted clay, it will feel quite hard. Another factor is the type of grass; some forms a denser mat than others. If compaction is the problem, aerating will definitely help loosen the soil and allow water and air to reach the grass roots, which will improve growth. You can go a step further and sprinkle screened compost on your lawn with a fertilizer spreader after you aerate, which will encourage the presence of earthworms and other organisms that help aerate and loosen the soil. Avoid using chemical weed killers because they can harm soil life. Mow high to reduce weed growth, and leave grass clippings on the lawn to contribute organic matter and improve the health of your lawn.

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Tip: Dig and Store Dahlias

After frost dig and store dahlias. Dig tubers, cut back stems to 6 inches tall, and dry outdoors. Hang tubers upside down for 2 weeks, then store in moistened peat moss in slatted boxes in a 35F to 50F basement.

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Sincerely,
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