Mammoth Onions attack at Lakeview Gardens
by Wendy Soloduik

(Okay, maybe that's a little dramatic, but if onions were to attack, they would be the ones grown by customers of Lakeview Gardens.)

This past weekend, 43 contestants returned with their mature 'Giant' Spanish Onion's for entry in the seventh annual Onion Growing Contest at Lakeview Gardens.

The contest, which is open to regular customers of Lakeview only, was entered by 36 contestants in the adult categories, and seven youths. The giant onions were grown from bulbs that were started at Lakeview, which contestants finished growing at home.

Prizes are awarded in three categories: Heaviest Onion, Exhibition Onion and the Children's Heaviest Onion (16 years and under).

Contestants in the Exhibition Onion category are judged by colour, skin, shape, firmness and neck quality. Each category is assigned a score out of five to determine the winner. The contest is judged by professional gardener Derek Hovius. Lakeview Gardens,

owned by the Radcliffe family of Innisfil, has made a name for themselves in the onion growing business. In 2000, Mr. Radcliffe entered his 5 3/4 lb. Spanish Onion in the Royal Winter Fair and took home first place, winning $750.

The Radcliffe's automatically enter those who buy their onion bulbs from Lakeview into their annual local contest.

Here are some tips for growing your own mammoth onions:

First, of course, buy your 'giant' onions from Lakeview

grow your onions in either a deep pot, or in the ground

be sure to use soil that is rich in compost and add slow-release fertilizer or compost manure

water as often as necessary to keep soil from drying out, until the bulb is mature and the leaves start to fall over

then, allow soil to get as dry as possible

control weeds and avoid breaking, or bending the leaves

Winners in the 2006 Onion Growing Contest at Lakeview are:

Youth 1st place Christopher Hambly onion weight 1 lb. 5.2 oz, $25

2nd place John Hambly onion weight 1 lb. 4.6 oz, $10

3rd place Alexa Hambly onion weight 1 lb 1.6 oz, $5

Adult 1st place Howard Tizzard onion weight 2 lb. 9.8 oz, $50

2nd place Dawn Scheifinger onion weight 2 lb. 7.8 oz

3rd place Fred Scheifinger onion weight 2 lb. 4.6 oz

Adult Exhibition 1st place Fred Scheifinger 2nd place Lawrence DePeuter 3rd place Dawn Scheifinger

"We suggest that our customers ask a lot of questions," recommend the Radcliffe's. "For example how much you water your onions can really affect their growth. We also encourage you to get your children involved."

Visit Lakeview Gardens at 1712 Killarney Beach Road for their end of season sale going on right now. Don't forget to ask about next years contest, while you're picking out your gourds and pumpkins for fall baking and decorating!