Easy Onions?

[crazy_red]

Anyone have any recommendations for easy onion seed / sets varieties for a first time onion grower?

Just thought i'd like to try a small patch and sow/plant them on the 'traditional' day to see how I get on.

The sets would have to go in pots, initially, so they would have to be something that didn't mind being transplanted, if that's possible with sets? Or should I just go with seed?

Any advice would be most gratefully received.

Red x

[Alice]

Onions are much easier from sets than they are from seed Red Baron.
I plant sets in March. I've grown red onions (Red Baron) in containers and they did well.
They can be used early, using the top growth too, while waiting for the spring onions to be ready.

[gojiberry]

Onion sets will start well from pots but try and use a soil based free draining mix for the pots. I used a peat based compost last year and a lot of the onions ended up with a rot, may have been the wet summer but worth mentioning. I did better with seeds even though they need starting in Jan and require a bit of looking after.

Ian

[crazy_red]

Hi Alice, Hi Goji

I will try some Red Baron sets then in containers - a John Innes mix with a bit of extra drainage maybe?

If I did try seed, Goji, what variety would you recommend?

[bluemoon]

Ailsa Craig is probably the most reliable from seed. It produces good sized bulbs without too much hassle at all. Pretty much a case of sow, plant out then forget until harvest time.

[magz.mccarthy]

Hi Red,

I grew a few red onion seeds last year, I forget what type, in pots. I planted indoors in around february and moved them into the yard around april. They were still tiny hen i dug them up in august, around the size of sets onions. I'm not sure if this is normal? I've replanted them now outdoors with an onion set and hopefully they will get bigger this year.

The pot I put them in had terrible drainage, and to be honest i didn't give them much TLC. Am going to do the same this year but give them better attention and see if there is more success.