Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
roots show at the base of the module, it can be popped into any odd space or
corner and the onions will grow quite happily in a bunch until needed.
Growing
Keep moist and well weeded. There is usually no need to thin spring onions.
Harvesting and storage
Pull as needed and use immediately. Spring onions grown in a bunch as spot
plantings can be cut at the base with a sharp knife, but if you need only the green
leaves for salads, just snip them off the bunch with scissors (as you would with
chives) and leave the plants to grow on.
If you have to remove spring onions to make space but do not need them straight
away, they can be stored upright in a glass of water in the fridge for a week or
more. Alternatively they can be trimmed and chopped for freezing or drying.
Problems
As for bulbing onions (see page 117).
Pak choi (and other Chinese cabbage varieties)
Varieties:
'Tatsoi' (very hardy), 'Choi Sum'
While pak choi and other related 'Oriental' vegetables will grow outside, they do
much better in the hot, humid environment of the polytunnel and are usually
ready in five or six weeks. They are most useful as an overwintering plant, add-
ing variety to menus from late autumn through to the following spring. While
being somewhat hardy, most will still need the protection of a cloche to survive
through the winter. All are prone to attack from slugs.
Pak choi varieties fall into two basic types: white- or green-stemmed. The green-
stemmed varieties are said to have more flavour.
Preparation
Pak choi needs a moist environment as the root system is quite shallow. Add lots
of compost to the soil beforehand and dig it well in.
