Lecture by Alan Chadwick in New Market, Virginia, 1979
Lecture 20.3, Plant Study: The Alliums, The Onion Family, Part 1
An Introduction to Alan Chadwick's Lectures and a Glossary of Terms
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The onion, the leek, the shalott, the chive, the Welsh onion, and the garlic. They are all lilies. Some medicinal benefits of the members of the onion family. The Onion: the plant grows nearly everywhere, but variations apply to differences in climate. Sow it in place, never transplant. Best sown at end of February through March. Prepare bed with well-rotted manure. Keep the bed free of weeds. Roll the soil before sowing the seed. Cover very lightly. Frost imporves germination.. Bend the tops over as they begin to ripen. Lift and leave on the ground for a day or two before putting in storage. As with many plants, there are early, mid season, and late onions, all with differeing qualities. (20:45)