All things Allium - Leeks, onion, shallots etc

[MaureenHall]

I've got some very small shallots that I grew last year that I've stored in the bottom of the fridge. Would it be ok to grow them in the raised asparagus bed? The asparagus only went in last year so I won't be harvesting any this year, and it seems a waste not to use the space round the edges. I grew tomatoes there last year and they got blight, so can't put tomatoes there again.

[Rhona]

You should still be good for a while...I'm sowing more this week, but they will be going outdoors as soon as they germinate.

'Phew! Thanks. What about moon days for planting in Feb - if you've already posted these somewhere, soz. Just thought I might give it a go - can't compare previous yields - but interested anyway.

[zazen999]

Today and tomorrow are moon dates for roots by my calendar.

I am using this for my dates at the moment - it's in my signature so you can click any time to see the week's moon days:

Vegetable Garden planting guides - Gardeners Calendar

Also, Bride is posting her dates in the moon group - I haven't checked if they are the same as I just want to stick to one method!

[Rhona]

Splendid! Many thanks.

[Jenegade]

When can onion and leek seedlings go outside?

[Alice]

When this blinkin' snow gives up Jenegade and the weather improves and you've hardened them off.

[Jenegade]

When this blinkin' snow gives up Jenegade and the weather improves and you've hardened them off.

Hmmm... that might be a while then!! Possibly March??? Thanks Alice!

[butter fingers]

leek seedlings


My second sowing of leek seeds have just germinated! The first sowings dont seem to have moved much in size since germination , so 2nd sowing may catch up with the first instead of spread out over time.

[FoxHillGardener]

yesterday I did two types of leeks and three types of onions in the conservatory and cold frame. fingers crossed

[BrideXIII]

Spring onions and leeks going in tomorrow as per full moon.

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Checked my onion seeds today and I've lost them all. Will replant next moon date (any hints) (except for today)

[janeyo]

Well blow me down... but the onion seeds I planted on 30th Dec are now showing through. Was just about to chuck the tray and use the coldframe space.

No signs of the leeks yet though.

[Jenegade]

Checked my onion seeds today and I've lost them all. Will replant next moon date (any hints) (except for today)

Thats rubbish. What happenned to them Frosty?

[selfraising]

I've got raised beds with just multi-purpose compost in them. Will this soil be okay for planting onion sets or do I need to add anything like sand? Sorry if it sounds a daft question but I've never grown onions before

[Eyren]

I would have thought compost would be fine - I grew lots of garlic in my compost-filled raised beds last year, and though it didn't form the huge bulbs like the ones the original cloves came from, they were perfectly adequate. I've seen sand recommended for growing prize onions, but I prefer them a sensible size for cooking! You might want to add some general purpose fertilizer (not manure) to the bed before you plant them, to help them get some good growth early on, but that's about it, really.