Weekend Gardening: Now’s The Time To Plant Onions
September 27, 2014
by the Santa Rosa Extension Service
Onions are sold in every grocery store, served at many meal and featured at sporting events across the United States. Onions are everywhere. If you’ve ever wanted to try to grow them, now is the time to plant.
Edible onions have been cultivated for so long that it is difficult to trace their origin. Onions were first introduced to America around the turn of the century when a retired French soldier brought some onion seeds from Corsica to the Walla Walla region of the Pacific Northwest. But it wasn’t until the farmers in Georgia realized what a special thing they had in the Vidalia onion and began spreading the news that the sweet onion finally got the attention it deserves.
Onions have different requirements as to the number of hours of daylight required for bulb formation. The types that require 15 to 16 hours of light daily are referred to as “long day” varieties and not adapted for the South. Types that grow best in Florida are the “short-day” varieties. They must be started in the fall so that bulbing is induced by the short days of winter. However, the subsequent harvest of bulbs follows in the spring or early summer.
Onions are often grouped according to taste (mild and strong flavored), color (white, yellow, and red) and use (storage or freshly eaten). Some suggested bulbing onion varieties for Florida include Excel, Texas Grano, Granex, White Granex and Tropicana Red.
Yellow onions are gardeners’ most popular choices. Granex 33 is the early Texas hybrid grown in Vidalia, Georgia. Texas Grano 1015Y Aggie Sweet produces a large, mild bulb that is very sweet under the right growing and soil conditions. The Texas Grano 502 is well known for large, mild bulbs with fair storage potential.
Onions are grown either from seed, sets (tiny immature bulbs) or transplants. The planting method selected is based on cost, use, availability, and planting ease.
Onions grown from sets do not make the best bulbs, and are rather costly. Specific onion varieties are usually not available. They are sold simply as red, white, or yellow onion sets. Since the variety is unknown, the flavor, use, and keeping quality of onions grown from sets varies considerably. Avoid sets more than an inch in diameter, as they are likely to bolt. Late plantings are more susceptible to cold or freeze injury. Planting too early can result in increased seed stem production.
Growing onions from seed may be the most difficult planting method. However, it is the least expensive and offers the greatest variety. Germination may be sporadic and plant growth can be slow. Be aware that onion seed does not remain viable long, and should not be planted when more than one year old.
In North Florida, onions can be started between mid-September and mid-November. Onion seed can be planted directly in the garden or in flats. Sow eight to 12 seeds per foot of row ½ to one inch deep. If larger bulbs are desired, thin to a final spacing of four to six inches apart.
Set out transplants from late December through February. Plants should be about 6 inches high and about half the thickness of a lead pencil at the time of transplanting. Set plants with the bottom of the plant about 1 to 1½ inch below the surface of the soil. Transplants should be spaced 3 to 4 inches apart in the row.
Onions have a shallow, poorly developed root system, so regular fertilization and watering are essential. Inconsistent watering may lead to splits, doubles and small bulbs. Fertilize the crop monthly with a nitrogen fertilizer. Be sure to keep the fertilizer from contacting the plants directly.
Good weed control is a must. Since young onions are small and grow slowly at first, they can be taken over by weeds that reduce yield. Look out for diseases before they become established. Leaf blight diseases can seriously reduce yields. Monitor for insects twice each week, and use appropriate management techniques. Contact your local Extension Office for the latest information on pest management recommendations.
High School Football Finals
September 27, 2014
Here are high school football finals from around the area Friday night.
FLORIDA
- Choctaw 42, Northview 7
- Tate 33, Pine Forest 32 OT
- Jay 54, McIntosh (AL) 14
- Bay 42, Gulf Breeze 34
- Navarre 42, Milton 7
- Pace 58, Madison County 37
- Jesuit (LA) 49, PHS 17
- Catholic 49, Rutherford 28
- Thursday: Bay 42, Gulf Breeze 34
- Freeport 26, Graceville 26
- OPEN: West Florida, Escambia, Washington, Niceville
ALABAMA
- W.S. Neal 81, Calhoun 13
- T.R. Miller 58, Escambia County (Atmore) 20
- Escambia Academy 41, Hooper Academy 0
- OPEN: Flomaton
Perdido Man Killed In Wreck Near Jay
September 26, 2014
A Perdido man was killed in a single vehicle wreck early Friday morning east of Jay.
Robert Allen Spears, 23, was traveling north on Highway 87 just north of Highway 4 in a 2008 Ford Mustang that left the roadway, hit a utility pole guy wire and then struck a large tree at 4:27 a.m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Spears was not wearing a seat belt, the FHP said. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. There were no other passengers in the vehicle.
212 Million Peanut Butter Sandwiches: Escambia Peanut Harvest Underway
September 26, 2014
The peanut harvest is underway in Escambia County.
According to the Farm Service Agency, there were 7,062 acres of peanuts planted this season in Escambia County — about enough to make 212 million peanut butter sandwiches.
The current prices to the farmer is about $425 per ton. “That is not nearly where farmers would like it to be,” said Libbie Johnson, Escambia County extension agent.
Chad Helton, manager of Tri County Peanut near Huxford, AL, said the quality of this year’s crop has been good so far. He said a few peanuts did not grade well due to unfavorable conditions, and yields are variable because some farmers needed more than than they received.
After a dry period, Johnson said farmers a looking forward to some rain this weekend to make it easier to dig their peanuts.
The peanut harvest, along with the upcoming cotton harvest, also means an increase in the amount of large farm machinery on the roadways.
“I’d also like to remind those driving in North Escambia to be ever mindful of our farmers moving equipment on the roads. Please be patient and cautious. Maneuvering farm equipment is no easy feat,” Johnson said.
Pictured: Peanuts being harvested near Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Minor Injuries In Deputy-Involved Wreck In Ensley
September 26, 2014
There were no serious injuries in a traffic crash involving an Escambia County deputy Thursday morning in Ensley.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 24-year old Justin Lee Harris of Pensacola was in the median of Highway 29 at Hannah Street when he pulled his 2005 Chrysler 300 directly into the path of Deputy Darren James Robinson, 39, was was northbound on Highway 29.
Harris and Robinson were both transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries. Three passengers in Harris’ vehicle were not injured.
Photos by Andrew McKay, NewsRadio 1620 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
1A Chiefs Stepping Up For 6A Challenger Choctaw Tonight
September 26, 2014
The Northview Chiefs will step up to a big challenge Friday night as the 1A Chiefs step up to take on the Class 6A Choctaw Indians on the road.
“They have a really, really good football team regardless of class,” Northview head coach Sid Wheatley said of the Indians during an afternoon practice this week. “I think the kids are looking forward to it. I know it’s going to be a challenge, but we welcome those from time to time. We are excited about it; it’s going to be a big atmosphere over there.”
The Chiefs at 3-0 are coming off a bye week, while the Indians are 3-1 with their only loss coming at the hands of the powerhouse Niceville Eagles 42-20.
Wheatley said his Chiefs are ready, and they have a plan.
“They’ve got some running backs that are really good; they are tough to tackle. We are going to have to be really tough tacklers on defense this week,” he said. “We are going to have to establish a running game and try to keep the ball away from them.”
After their 6A battle tonight, the Chiefs will celebrate homecoming on October 3 for their first 1-1A district game of the of year again the Jay Royals (1-2).
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs practice this week for the 6A challenge at Choctaw Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Approves New Budget Without Tax Increase
September 26, 2014
The Escambia County Commission has approved a $385 million for the 2014-2015 fiscal year, up $20 million from the current fiscal year. The increase, officials said, comes from increased property values, and there won’t be an increase in millage rates.
The budget included $750,000 to hire 15 new deputies requested by Sheriff David Morgan, and 3-per cent cost of living raise for all county employees.
Photos: Ernest Ward Eagles Host The SF Toros
September 26, 2014
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles hosted the Spanish Fort (AL) Toros Thursday night in Walnut Hill. The Toros topped the Eagles 42-20.
Ernest Ward will host Jay Tuesday evening at 6:00.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
DJJ Challenged Over Ending Contract With Controversial Provider In Santa Rosa County
September 26, 2014
A company that operates residential facilities for juvenile offenders has challenged a decision by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice to terminate a contract in Santa Rosa County and prevent the firm from bidding on other contracts.
The challenge, filed by Youth Services International, Inc., was sent this week to the state Division of Administrative Hearings.
Youth Services has had contracts to operate nine juvenile facilities in Florida, including the Santa Rosa Substance Abuse Treatment Center. But in an August 20 letter, the Department of Juvenile Justice terminated the Santa Rosa contract and prevented Youth Services from seeking other contracts for 12 months, saying the firm had not taken adequate steps at the Santa Rosa facility to “provide a safe and secure therapeutic environment for our youth.”
But in the legal challenge, Youth Services disputes the department’s position. In part, the company pointed to department decisions to transfer juveniles to the Santa Rosa facility from another facility in Madison County that was closed after “significant disruptions.”
It said several of the youths transferred from the Madison facility caused problems and were involved in an August 16 incident that involved destroying property and altercations between residents.
“YSI (Youth Services International) appropriately handled the events by intervening between the participants and calling law enforcement,” the company said in the legal challenge. “After reviewing the video tapes, law enforcement arrested eight of the individual youth involved.”
by The News Service of Florida
Partly Sunny Today; Rain Likely For The Weekend
September 26, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Friday Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Saturday Night Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a low around 69. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Sunday Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 82. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Sunday Night A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 5 mph.
- Monday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.
- Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
- Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
- Thursday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.