Ease them from the soil with a fork so the roots are freed and shake off the excess soil. Don't be tempted to pull them free as you may damage the root and this allows root rot to affect the stored bulb. Leave on the soil for a few days to dry or hang the bulbs neck down on staging in the greenhouse. Ensure no moisture gathers in the neck as this will cause rot.
Terry's Tip: When the stalks are paper dry string them up for storage. Take a piece of stout string, cut 1m long approx. Tie 2 knots and start stringing the onions; tie the largest onion first, which acts as an anchor. Proceed to weave the dry necks of the onion and pull down to secure. Weave in size order, largest to smallest.
The other winter meal I love to savour is the leek and the bit I like best is the white shank. To get the shank longer it's best to blanch it above ground.
Terry's Tip: Slide tubes over the base of these leeks with about 5 inches of tube covering the leek. So when you lift these there will be approx 4 inches in the ground and 5 inches above it, giving 9 inches of white leek!
Start preparing next years compost heap now by collecting all your bulk green waste coming from the plot and kitchen. Layer this green waste about 5 inches deep then cover with straw and horse manure. Build up these alternating layers all summer long and then cover all winter with a black polythene sheet to keep the heat in. When uncovered in the springtime you will find a rich black gold to spread over the plot.
Terry'sTip: For even better compost add pigeon or chicken manure to create heat!