Onion trials that had been planned by Adams County Extension Director Thaddeus Gourd at Sakata Farms fields in the Brighton area north of Denver have been disrupted by hailstorms that hit mid-August.
Earlier this month Dr. Gourd had invited interested parties to a five-day trial series that would run Aug. 27 to 31.
On Aug. 20 he issued an email that said, “I want to let everyone know that a severe hail storm occurred on Tuesday evening, Aug. 14, at the onion trial location. The onions were in the process of bulbing up with some reaching small-medium to large-medium in size. The damage is very significant with over 50 percent leaf material destroyed.”
He continued, “The larger bulbs did sustain direct hits on the bulbs themselves with bruising or soft spots on eight out of 10 onions.”
Cassey Anderson, Extension Master Gardener Coordinator (Horticulture), said on Aug. 22, “We have data up to the point of hail on emergence and thrips, but there will be no harvest data.”
Dr. Gourd said, “I will still be available next week if you still would like to visit the variety trial. Please make an appointment by calling Thaddeus Gourd at 303-898-2113.” He can also be reached by email at tgourd@adcogov.com.
Featured image of hail damaged trials provided by Thaddeus Gourd.
