Q: I have tried growing onions in the past, but the bulbs always get soft and eventually rot in storage. What am I doing wrong? A: The onion tops will start to turn yellow in the late summer or in fall. Push them over with the back of a rake -- this will force the bulbs into their final maturing stage, when the tops will turn brown. Your next step is to dig up the bulbs, being careful not to damage them. Lay the onions on black-and-white newspaper (not the comics section!) in a dry, shaded spot for 10 days until they're ready for storage.
You can trim the tops and put the bulbs in a mesh bag, or you can braid the tops and hang the onions. Just be sure to store them in a dry location that's about 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Q: I recently moved to the South, and I know nothing about the gardening conditions. Can you share some rules of thumb for gardening in the South?
A: A lot of soil in the South is acidic, and you'll want to test your soil to find out if that's the case in your yard. You can pick up a pH meter at a garden center for about $15. If the meter reads 6.0 or lower, you have acidic soil. If this is the case, you'll want to choose plants that do well in acidic soil, or you can amend your soil to reduce the acidity.
Another thing to be aware of: many soils in the South have a high clay composition and do not absorb water well. You can call your local extension office for help in testing your soil composition. If you find that it does have a lot of clay, you will need to add some organic material like compost and sand to your garden to help with drainage.
Finally, one other piece of advice I can offer you is to choose plants that are acclimated to the South. Some flowers that will do well include hosta, yarrow and salvia. By choosing plants that are acclimated, or native, you can be sure to have a beautiful garden without too much work.
Time-Saver Tip: This is a great tip for people who love hanging baskets but hate the hassle of trying to water them. Take a plastic bag and poke some holes in it. Put a few ice cubes in the bag and place the bag in the plant. As the ice melts, the plant will get water.
Another option for watering a hanging basket without having water drip down your arm is to use a meat baster to squirt the water into the pot.
