Brassicas on onion bed?

[sarahspatch]

Hi all,
My autumn planted onion sets were very poor and have just dug them up as most of them haven't grown bigger than a golf ball!
I have some brassicas that were given to me so need planting out asap, question is, is it ok to grow them in the same bed as not much space elsewhere!?
Do you think the onions didn't grow due to poor soil (have not manured that bed yet in the last 18 months+), though did put down chicken poo before planting. Help!

[Snadger]

I've planted my cabbage in among my Jap onions. I've also planted calabrese in among my garlic because of a lack of space. Seems to be working fine!

Brassicas should by rights follow legumes to take advantage of the fixated nitrogen. If you give the soil a nitro boost with chicken pellets though before planting, you are achieving the same thing!

[Two_Sheds]

My autumn planted onion sets were very poor and have just dug them up as most of them haven't grown bigger than a golf ball!

I don't know. My soil is poor (stony dust, basically)
My onions have mostly been brilliant this year (spring sets). My autumn sets were a bit variable ~ all from the same shop ~ some were golf balls, some bolted, and I have about 6 that are any good.

The Keepwell onions that I grew from seed, are brilliant ~ I'll do them again. Onion Growing, how to grow onions with pictures and advice.

[sarahspatch]

Thanks for the advice - my spring sown onion sets seem pretty good, though about 3 have bolted, but I think I had the bottom of the barrel onion sets from the shop as I bought them a little late.
I will give it a go, and will put down some chicken fertiliser first. I have plenty of well-rotted manure, can I mulch with that after planting?
I know brassicas like firm soil, so shall I avoid digging over first? I find not going over the soil first quite hard to resist!

[sarahspatch]

P.S thanks for the link, found some interesting articles on there. Are the Keepwell onions a variety name?