Can you grow onion starts as big as Dixondale's?

[ponyexpress]

Interesting note about the transplants taking 2 weeks to get going. I am a bit concerned about my shallot starts which I trimmed both root and tops... they seem really slow to regrow roots and seemed to have a hard time of it so far..

When I refer to transplants, I'm talking about the Dixondale plants that are dormant. It takes about a week for the roots to show up and then another week for new greens to form. The ones I planted from seed and transplant into the garden (roots disturbed) start growing right away. Also, this is early April with temperatures still cold so things grow slowly.

My onions started taking off in growth around the middle of May.

[bower]

Yeah I have to remind myself, the timing for onions should start with a bed already designated and prepped in the fall.

[worth1]

I should have planted my seeds at least a month sooner this year but you never know where I live.
Then the darn Bermuda grass took over my raised beds.
I have a lot of hard work ahead of me to fix this.
But when I do I will never have to worry about tree roots and grass again.
I hope.
I can swing a pick hoe in the beds and they are so full of roots the darn thing bounces back.

[bower]

[mention]worth1[/mention] boy do I know that feeling!
Up here there is a small window of opportunity in the spring, when the ground is softened by freezing and you can get all kinds of traction with a pick. But as soon as the ground gets a bit dry, those grass roots are the worst. It will bounce the heaviest kind of pick and you can't make a dent.
There's an anthill in my old garden which I've been working on with a pick for a couple of years! Grown over with thatch grass. I believe I finally dispatched it this spring. The old vegetable garden is also super tough to dig. Grown over with oregano and other weeds. I barely made a start on it, but hopefully will be able to get it opened and in some kind of shape to plant garlic there this fall.
Also had hopes to reopen my Dad's old potato garden. Well that is full of raspberry roots. They cut the canes in the fall but that is barely the beginning of the work that has to happen there. So every place to plant here is in need of major prep work.
I need a new 2.5 lb pick. Had two I borrowed from Dad but last year both the handles broke, and I couldn't find one to fit. I got my old pick mattock back in service, which is great, but I think I am spoiled on the lighter pick now. It's so light you can keep at it for hours.. if you don't break the handle.