Every year at this time I see neighbors with this pretty little flower coming up all over their yards. So pretty is the Bushy Aster…purple flowers with yellow centers.  If you are like this Red Dirt Gardener then you too are on a mission to make sure this prolific weed does not take root in your yard.

Bush Aster, as are all weeds are opportunists. They love bare unhealthy soil as well as dryness.  Given the chance, they will choke out ailing and healthy Bermuda in their ever ending cycle of flowering and going to seed.  If ignored they have roots that go all the way to China…if you know what I mean.

How to get rid of:

Red Dirt Gardening Organic Solution

· Use corn gluten meal as a pre-emergent on your yard in November.

· The Bushy Aster has a very woody stem and is easy to pull in healthy soil. If the plant has seeded, be sure to carefully dispose of it not dropping the seeds into the yard.

· Pull them before they seed and spread to other areas like your neighbors yard.

· These plants are not good composting material.  Dispose of them in waist bin.

Red Dirt Gardening Chemical Solution

Spray in October/November as the plant will begin seeding for next spring if you do not spray the flowers. Use a broad leave weed killer.

Do not forget to feed and water the birds.

American Robins seem to always show up after I have mowed my yard, tended to the soil or planted something new in search of worms and bugs.  Upon occasion I have had so many appear that we they left it looked like I had aerated part of my yard.  They are a wonderful benefit to healthy soil and a hoot to watch.  I put any grubs I find on a large landscaping rock and watch the robins feast!

"The Original" Red Dirt Gardener

Oklahoma Fall brings not only cooler weather for working in the garden but the OU Texas football game,  Hook’em Horns!

Now, back to  Oklahoma Red Dirt Gardening chores for October. 

Plant

Cool season grasses can be planted through the middle of the month. Fall is the best time to plant ryegrass, bluegrass or fescue. Planted by way of seed, these grasses are good for shade areas. Remember they do require mowing through spring. Throughout the fall and winter you will also need to fertilize and water.

Use this month to choose your spring bulbs as you will want to do this as soon as possible. Look for bulbs that are firm and free of disease. Wait to plant until Thanksgiving time. (see article on bulbs for tips on selection and planting).

Select from a variety of colors and plant pansies, kale, and mums this month for some great color.

Fertilize

September brought time for the last fertilization of the fall whether you used a nitrogen fertilizer or an organic one like Sustane. Do not fertilize any more this season.

Pre-emergent can also be put down to deter fall weeds like dandelion, henbit and that pesky weed with the little purple flowers on them that we seem to have an abundance of in our neighborhood. In fact, this little weed called a “Bushy Aster” has over run a number of yards.

This Aster needs to be treated NOW with a broad leaf weed killer because they are putting down seed for spring. (For more on this pesky weed see the article on Bushy Aster)

Organic pre-emergent can also be put down this month for those weeds winterizing themselves for spring. I use horticulture corn gluten meal twice a year with great success. It is non toxic to mammals, birds and children and does not harm the microorganisms in the soil as chemicals do. Remember your soil is alive and healthy soil promotes healthy plants and grasses.

A word of caution in selecting your pre-emergent. Be sure that it is not a Weed and Seed. The reason is, it is too late in the season to fertilize. If you do fertilize this late in the season you will most likely have brown circular patches in your lawn next spring called “brown spot”.

Prune

Dead head remaining flowering plants if you have not done so to prevent disease and an unsightly appearance.

If you have planted Wisteria and found that it did not bloom for you earlier in the season, now is the time to trim the roots.

Water

As the weather cools, remember to continue to water as needed.

It is less expensive to water deeply and less often than to water frequently for short times unless you have a red clay and no top soil.

The ideal time to water is to begin at about 4am. This prevents evaporation and moisture from laying on your flowering plants for too long as this encourages disease like powdery mildew.

Don’t for get to feed and water the birds!

2 pairs of these very light colored Eurasian doves have showedeu0p in my yard.  They are larger than the morning doves and much more aggressive.  Have you seen then as well?

The “Original” Red Dirt Gardener 

August for Oklahoma lawns and gardens can easily be summed up with one word, WATER.

Plant

Divide and replant any spring blooming perennials.

Finish any last minute planting of fall vegetables in your Oklahoma Garden.

Mums and asters

Fall bulbs like amaryllis and crocus.

Fertilize

Bermuda lawns if adequate moisture is available

Young trees and shrubs

Foliar feed your Oklahoma Atlas and other evergreens with Garret Juice (see Amazon Links)

Struggling plants would also benefit from a soil drenching of Garret Juice (see Amazon Links)

Prune

Dead head declining flowering plants to clean up the  appearance of you Oklahoma flower bed, to encourage more blooming and to keep some of those ever multiplying flowers in one spot. 

Dead and damaged branches from shrubs and trees.  Do not do major pruning

Finish dead heading roses by mid month to help initiate winter hardiness

Water

All potted and hanging plants

Oklahoma lawns and gardens, unless it has been usually wet and rainy (ha-ha) this is the month you will have to water more than any other month.  Try to watering more deeply as I learned to do years ago. I like to put down an inch or so with each watering. If you do, you will water less often, save money and time, have fewer incidents of plant and turf stress between watering and it will train the roots to go deeper into the ground. (note: soil types, weather patterns and plant recommendations will vary watering patterns and frequencies). see article on Saving Your Oklahoma Lawn While On Vacation

Do not forget to water the birds and have fun watching them!

“The Original" Red Dirt Gardener

Sharing my gardening interests with others is so enjoyable. Whether you play the Native American Flute, ride a Harley Davidson, collect vintage automobiles, quilt with friends and neighbors, show dogs, cattle or horses, play baseball, support little league,or work with wood consider SHARING YOUR PASSION WITH OTHERS! I recommend  Digital Seasons of Life for your very own affordable website.

They are an Oklahoma company that has been a joy to work with .  Digital Seasons of Life’s sites are simple for me to update with new articles and pictures and they are always there when I need them.  Share your passion and contact them today. 

Save $25 on site design and your first year of hosting for free ($100 value).

Use Coupon Code: RED DIRT TWO

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ALERT…A lot of Oklahoma trees are suffocating.  A lot of Oklahoma trees are being attacked by bugs.  A lot of Oklahoma trees are stressed and are in decline. Have you seen any of these trees? 5 tips on mulching your tree

HMMMMM, how could this be good for your tree?

Enjoy working in your yard this month!The following is your Oklahoma Red Dirt Gardening Calendar for July.

3 Easy Steps To Prepare An Oklahoma Lawn Or Oklahoma Garden For Vacation Time

Plant

Color for fall such as asters, cosmos, marigolds, morning glory, ornamental grasses, zinnias.

Establishment of warm season lawns should be completed by the end of this month to ensure the least amount of plant damage caused by winter kill.

Fertilize

Roses to encourage fall blooms.

Planting beds that were not fertilized in June.

Bermuda lawns for the 4th out of 5 consecutive applications. Oklahoma Annual Fertilization Schedule Be sure enough moisture is present during Oklahoma’s summer heat and drying winds.

Don’t know how much to put down try this calculator. Oklahoma Lawn Fertilization Calculator

Greensand can be used around all nitrogen deficient plants as can Ironite which may be easier to find in Oklahoma.  Nitrogen deficiency is easy to detect. Notice on the picture below the pale leaves with dark green veins.

Prune

Dead and damaged limbs should be removed so not to promote disease and further damage…do not make flush cuts.  See article on Pruning

Remove all spent blooms on flowering plants to encourage new blooms and prevent disease

Mow

Remember, Bermuda grass stores moisture in its leaves, so do not mow off more than 1/3 of the leaf blade at any one time.  Use a mulching blade on you mower instead of catching the clippings.  This will return some of the nitrogen to the soil.  If you must catch, then compost the clippings.

Rise your mower this month to 2 inches for Bermuda grass and 3 inches for Fescue. 

Water

Water all lawns and beds during Oklahoma’s century days and hot winds.  Water to a depth of 6 inches.  It is less expense to water fewer times and deeply than it is to water many times a week for only a few minutes. Do not water in the evenings as this will promote a number of diseases and funguses. Best time to water is early in the morning.

Do not forget to put out fresh water for the birds!

“The Original" Red Dirt Gardener

Completing these 3 easy steps, before leaving on vacation, will give your Oklahoma lawn and garden a good chance of surviving an Oklahoma summer in your absence. 

It is easy to forget as you plan your vacation, that your Oklahoma lawn and garden could very well experience consecutive century days, days of drying winds or days without any rain fail.  All of which, could have a negative impact on your lawn and plants.

This Oklahoma Red Dirt Gardener suggests completing these 3 easy steps prior to leaving on summer vacation.

1. Pull Weeds

You will want to pull any large weeds because they will only compete with your lawn, flowers, vegetables or shrubs for food and water.  Plus, who wants to come home to a bed of unsightly weeds.

2. Water Deeply Before Leaving

Whether we have had a rain or not, I always water deeply the night before leaving.  If you have an irrigation system be sure to set it to properly water while you are gone.

3. Apply A Generous Amount Of Mulch To Beds

I use a good shredded cedar mulch in my beds.  It helps to prevent evaporation and reduces the chances of weeds getting a foot hold.  An added benefit to using this type of mulch, is that it can be tilled in the following spring.

Do not fertilize right before you leave on vacation!  If the proper moisture is not available to your lawn and plants in our absence they could become very stressed and possibly die.

Have a great vacation and do not forget the birds!

Even this ole Turkey Vulture needs a bath.

Oklahoma’s “Original” Red Dirt Gardener

Oklahoma lawns and gardens look so good right now! However, all this beauty does come with a price, an enjoyable price I think.

 Here is the price I am paying…what price do you pay?

1. mowing and edging

2. pruning & shearing shrubs into various shapes along with selective pruning to maintain health & over all beauty

3. dead heading blooms

4. fertilizing and watering on a schedule

5. cultivating in mulch and compost

6. cleaning and sharpening tools

7. enjoying the porch and patio in the evenings and mornings

8. watching the birds and bunnies

Enjoy your hard work and below is the Oklahoma Red Dirt Gardeners calendar for June.

Plant

Finish seeding of warm season grass to prevent winter over kill.

Sod with buffalo grass or burmuda at this time.

Summer Perennials like blue daze, cocks comb, copper leaf or cosmos to name a few.

COCKS COMB IS AVIALBLE IN A NUMBER OF COLORS

Summer Annuals such as begonias, caladiums, verbena, lantana and marigolds are all easy to grow.

Shrubs and trees that are of flowering types can still be planted, like crape myrtle.

Fertilize

If you have not done a soil test in the last 3 years, it is time do so again.  This assures you are putting down the correct fertilizer.

Oklahoma Soil Test

Second Major Fertilization Of The Season

Warm season grass like bermuda can be fertilized for the second time this year. If you use chemicals see these articles (Oklahoma Red Dirt Gardening annual fertilization schedule), (Red Dirt Gardening application calculator)

Organic fertilizers can be applied to all areas with out worrying about burning the plants or having to change your watering pattern.  Apply 20lbs to every 1000 sq. ft.  Your plants can be given a boost with fish meal or corn gluten meal.

During this time of the year I spray all my plants 1 to 2 times per month with Garrett Juice. 

            I would not be without this product.

purchase this from Amazon

Post emergent control for crabgrass and summer annual  grasses will have better results when applied to young plants.

Broad leave post emergent can also be applied at this time but no later than the first week of July.

If you have pines suffering from any type of needle diseases it is time to treat them again as we close in on mid June.

Leave grass clippings on your yard to add nitrogen back into the soil and to keep the clippings out of landfills. If you do bag, this is a great source of green materials for your compost pile. Best results are achieved by having a mulching blade put on your mower. (How to Install a Mulching Blade).

Prune

Deadhead all flowers to improve the appearance and over all health of the plant.  This will also trigger a new flush of blooms on most plants.

June is the prime time to prune most deciduous trees and shrubs.

Vigorous shoots from shrubs can be “selectively” pruned down at the base of the plant.

Remove any dead or damaged branches that  remain in your trees or shrubs from the spring storms.

Remove any unwanted bulbs that are confused about what time of the year it is.

Water

Watering deeply will save you time and money because you will be able to water less frequently.  Oklahoma’s hot summer weather coupled by the high winds we are currently experiencing may cause all of us to have to water more often.

Remember to provide water for the birds!

You can help the birds weather the Oklahoma heat by providing them a fresh water source.  An important part of a bird’s daily life is to drink and bath in fresh water. This not only helps the bird to cool down but also helps to rid themselves of parasites. 

I use a variety of different items in my gardens to provide the birds with fresh water. I have not only an “official bird bath” but also a small water feature which is easy to maintain, a pot plate, and even an old copper kitchen bowl which is not more than about 3 inches deep. Often I will put a rock in the container that sticks up above the water for the birds to sit on. 

Since I have enough lawn work already and I did not want to add any more chores to my list I was thoughtful regarding the placement of the baths  in my beds. I made sure that each bird bath was were near a water source and it was easily accessible for cleaning.  The only mistake I made was putting one of the bird baths by the kitchen window.  Perfect place to watch the birds, right?  Well between their splashing and my refilling & cleaning of the bird bath, I have one spotted window!

You will need to check your birdbath or pond frequently to assess water levels and water cleanliness/freshness. On windier days, you may need to top off the water more often.  I have found that being aware of the water level in the bird baths and how fast the water is evaporating out of them, gives me a little insight to what may be going on with the moisture levels in my lawn and gardens.

Remember to never use chemicals in the water for control of insects or algae.  There are products specifically used to reduce algae, like Bird Bath Protector and you can scrub most of the algae off with a stiff brush. (One special note, moving water does not collect mosquitoes.)

"The Original" Red Dirt Gardener

Powdery mildew is one of the most common and easily recognized diseases on Oklahoma plants.  Given the right conditions almost no plant is immune to it however some plants are more susceptible than others. Some of Oklahoma’s most susceptible plants to powdery mildew are Crepe Myrtle, Lilacs, phlox,  roses,  squash and cucumbers.

Powdery Mildew on Crepe Myrtle

Recognizing Powdery Mildew

As the name implies, powdery mildew looks like powdery splotches of white or gray powder on the leaves and stems of plants. Even though there are  several types of this fungi, they all look basically the same.

When you do finally notice powdery mildew it is usually on the top surfaces of the leaves.  Up on closer examination you may see the powdery looking fungus also on the stems, flowers, buds and even the fruit on the infected plant.

Although powdery mildew is unattractive, it is rarely fatal. It does stress the plant and severe or repetitive infections will weaken the plant. If enough of the leaf surface becomes covered with powdery mildew it will usually fall off prematurely.

The real harm to your Oklahoma plants occur when the powdery mildew effects the photosynthesis of the plant.  Edible crops with  insufficient photosynthesis will suffer from  diminished flavor in the fruit or vegetable. If buds become infected,like on Oklahoma Crepe Myrtle or your roses they may not open and mature at all.

Squash infected with Powdery Mildew

Powdery Mildew Is Host Specific 

This is probably the only positive thing about  powdery mildew. Host specific means that is will not spread from your roses to your Crepe Myrtle however, all powdery mildews favor the same conditions.

What Causes Powdery Mildew?

Powdery mildew fungi overwinters in plant debris and begin producing spores in the spring (another reason to clean out those beds).  The spores can be introduced to your plants by wind, insects or splashing water.

Conditions that encourage the growth and spread of powdery mildew include:

• Dampness or high humidity (Not common during rainy seasons or in extreme heat)
• Crowded plantings
• Poor air circulation

Treatment for Powdery Mildew 

I use it, it works and it is not toxic! PLANT WASH

You will also find chemical treatments available in local stores.  Be sure the product is used in the treatment of Powdery Mildew.  This can be found by reading the label of the product you are considering purchasing.  Also make note of recommend applications. More is never good with chemicals and often hurts the plant.

I would also recommend cleaning out the debris from your gardens along with following recommended planting procedures and locations when putting in plants.

You can also want to remove the infected parts. If you do remove these parts do not compost them but bag and place in a trash receptacle.  Why, because powdery mildew is a fungus and has spores. Plus, whatever tool you use to remove the infected parts should be cleaned thoroughly and have the blades wiped down with a disinfectant.

Do not forget to feed and water the birds!

Morning Doves mate for life and are without a doubt one of the worst nest builders around.  You can only hope the Oklahoma wind does not blow the eggs out.

The “Original” Red Dirt Gardener 

Sharing my gardening interests with others is not only enjoyable but allows me to share with others what I have learned. Whether you play the Native American Flute, ride a Harley Davidson, collect vintage automobiles, quilt with friends and neighbors, show dogs or horses, play sports, or own a small business…. consider SHARING YOUR PASSION WITH OTHERS! I recommend  Digital Seasons of Life for your very own affordable website.

They are an Oklahoma company that has been a joy to work with .  Digital Seasons of Life’s sites are simple for me to update with new articles and pictures and they are always there when I need them.  Share your passion and contact them today.

Save $25 on site design and your first year of hosting for free ($100 value).

Use Coupon Code: RED DIRT TWO

Let the planting begin in our Oklahoma gardens! You have to admit, we live in a great state were such a wide variety of trees, shrubs and flowers will flourish.  Though I do not need one more thing to plant is seems that I always find room for just one more item in my red dirt Oklahoma garden.

Plant

All hot weather herbs.

Ground covers such as Asian jasmine, English ivy, purple winter creeper.

Vegetables that do well in hot weather such as peas, okra, squash, melons.

Perennials like gladiolas cannas, asters, & mums.

Warm weather annuals including, begonias, zinnia, periwinkles, caladiums, elephant ears, verbena.

Lawns for warm weather can be put in from sod, seed, plugs and even by hydro mulching.

Container trees and shrubs…remember to harden them off before planting. Remove all burlap & any twine  or cord.  Plant with the root flare exposed above ground. (Do not kill your Oklahoma tree by over mulching)

Fertilize

All annual flowers and potted plants.  Any new plantings can have their roots drenched with a root stimulator to help set buds for flowers.

Warm season lawns can be fertilized again in May. (Oklahoma bermuda lawn fertilization schedule)

If you use chemicals a second application of pre-emergent grass herbicide can be applied at the end of the month, depending on the timing of the first application.

Prune

Great time to shear branches (not to cut limbs) on scale leaved evergreens.

As flowers fade on spring flowering plants they can be pruned.

Water

As needed, if windy you may need to water more than normal.

All new plantings.

Do forget to feed and water the birds!

"The Original" Red Dirt Gardener

Hopefully Oklahoma gardeners have seen the last   frost.  Let Oklahoma Red Dirt Gardening begin!

Remember not to remove the foliage on your spring bulbs just yet.  The bulbs are still gathering nutrients for next years flowers.  Once the leaves begin to die back then remove them.

Plant

Bedding plants, summer bulbs, annual flowering seeds can begin about mid April.

Warm season crops such as okra, tomatoes What is Wrong With My Tomatoes, squash.

Herbs like basil, lemongrass, mint, oregano, sage and thyme, etc.

It is still not too late to get in your Oklahoma trees and shrubs.

Begin planting Oklahoma Bermuda lawns at the end of the month from sprigs, plugs or sod.

Fertilize

I drench the roots of all new plantings with Garret Juice. My Favorite Organic Products  I also use it as a foliar spray.  Since it is organic it will not burn your plants.

If you use organic lawn fertilizer that can also be applied at 20LBS/1000 sq. ft.

If you use chemical fertilizers and have an Oklahoma warm-season lawn you will need to fertilize 5 times per year.  The first application will be the last week of April to the first week of May. When to Fertilize Your Oklahoma Warm-Season Lawn.  The application rate for high nitrogen fertilizer is one pound per 1000sf.  this will produce a high quality lawn.  Remember to water in the this type of fertilizer.

Prune

If you still have freeze damage on branches or other plants remove it to promote new growth and to improve the over all appearance and health of the plant/shrub/tree.

Mow Bermuda and Zoysia to a height of 1 to 1.5 inches and buffalo grass to 3 inches.  It is not necessary to scalp your lawn it only promotes the growth of weeds. 

Water

Water as needed, however pay more attention to new plantings. Also, Oklahoma winds will dry things out quickly. 

Container plants as needed.

Do forget to feed and water the birds!

"The Original" Red Dirt Gardener

Sharing my gardening interests with others is so enjoyable. Whether you play the Native American Flute, ride a Harley Davidson, collect vintage automobiles, quilt with friends and neighbors, show dogs, cattle or horses, play baseball, support little league,or work with wood consider SHARING YOUR PASSION WITH OTHERS! I recommend  Digital Seasons of Life for your very own affordable website.

They are an Oklahoma company that has been a joy to work with .  Digital Seasons of Life’s sites are simple for me to update with new articles and pictures and they are always there when I need them.  Share your passion and contact them today.

Save $25 on site design and your first year of hosting for free ($100 value).

Use Coupon Code: RED DIRT TWO

Once again it is March, and the onion sets have begun to come up out of "the valley". It is the perfect time for Oklahoma Gardeners to purchase, if they have not already done so, and plant their onion sets.

If you have had some of the experiences I have had with onions, then you have had onions that are not always sweet and have varied in size.  You may have also struggled with trying to determine when to harvest your onions?  Below, this Red Dirt Gardener will share with you what I have learned about growing a sweet onion in my Oklahoma garden.

The Most Important Day Of Your Onions Life

O Please, an onion has a important day in it’s life?  Yes, it really does and it is the day that you buy it.  You buy the wrong type of onion and you could not only end up with hot onions but also an onion that does not grow or bolts.  Bolting is when the onion puts up a seed head because it came from a warm climate and was planted in your garden while we had cold weather.  It may also bolt if a short day onion has been planted in a long day area.

Buy your onions early not as individual plants but as a "set". A set of onions will be tied together generally with a tag attached as to what type of onion it is.  Note, the crates are generally labeled as well.  It is a good idea to match the tag on the set to the label on the crate because not every shopper will put them back properly. Also, you will want to make sure the set(s) you selected look healthy and as hydrated as possible.

Where Do Garden Onions Come From

Generally, the growers down in the valley will plant their onions like the Texas 1015 the middle of October, thus the 1015 name.  Other onions like the Vidalia are grown in Vidalia GA, the OSO sweet is grown in the mountains of Chili, and the Sweet Imperial comes from California. 

How to Pick A Sweet Onion That Will Grow In A Oklahoma Garden 

Let me give you a bit of a back ground in an onion’s life so when you go to buy your sets and you read the tag or the label on the crate you will understand what it says and come home with a sweet onion. 

Onions are classified by the length of day they perform best in.  There are long day, short day and intermediate day onions.  For Oklahoma you will want a short day onion.  So whether you mail order your onions or buy them in the store be sure they are short day onions.  You will have a number onions to choose from.  Among them are the Granex varieties, Maui, Vadalia, OSO Sweet, Maui, etc.  No matter what you do and no matter how many times the onion’s name has "sweet" in it, if it is a Granex varsity the onion will never be sweet. 

One onion that grows great in Oklahoma gardens and is always sweet is the Texas 1015.  The 1015Y is a wonderful sweet yellow  onion.  If you like a red onion try the red Bermuda…not really a sweet onion but it is good.  Do you need onions that have a long shelf life ……try the Spanish Onions.

One more tidbit, Texas 1015Y, denotes that the plant was planted in Texas on October 15th and its color is yellow.

Plant My Onions In 6 Easy Steps

Now that you understand why the day you bought your onions is the onion’s most important day, we will get on with planting.

1. Pull any existing weeds out of the bed where the onions are to be planted.

2. When selecting you site be sure the plants will get the proper amount of sun light and be well drained once in the ground.

3. Consider how convenient or inconvenient it is going to be to water your onions.  If it is a hassle, you are more likely to not water. Notice that the onions have very shallow roots?  They will need water.

4.  For small onions, plant the new plants close together.  For larger onions provide more space between the plants.

5.  Add organic materials and mix well with the Oklahoma clay prior to planting.  This will provide nutrients to the onions and the soil.  Since clay soil is so compact, the organic materials will  begin breaking down the clay so water, oxygen and minerals will be available to whatever is planted in the bed.

6. Finish up with a dressing to help slow evaporation during Oklahoma’s spring winds.  I like using mulch I have made by chipper shredding the clippings from my yard. 

Fertilizing

You want to use a urea or for those using chemical a 46-0-0.  If you use a fertilizer other than this, it will contain sulfur (it will be listed on the back of the bag) and that is not a good thing for your onions. Note:34-0-0 is not the same thing as it has sulfur in it.  The reason you want to apply urea/nitrogen to the onions is because you want to promote the growth of leaves.  I am sure you are now thinking that is odd, since you are  growing onions to have onions not leaves.  Well, did you know that every leave has a corresponding ring forming the onion? More leaves = more onion.

Should You Step On Your Onions 

This is like talking politics to some onion growers…Here is my take on it.  You do not need to step on the tops to start the process of preparing the onions to be pulled.  The tops will go over on their own, this is call "bulbing".  Bulbing is initiated by the  length of the day and begins your 7 to 10 day count down to harvest.  Do not wait till the tops begin deteriorating to harvest.

Once out of the ground store the onions in a shady area with the tops on.  I usually gather them into bunches, tie a string around them and hang them in the garage.

Enjoy!

Don’t forget to feed and water the birds!

Oklahoma’s "Original" Red Dirt Gardener