Onion sets - how much watering, and how long till they come above ground?

[PrideRavyn]

I planted some onion sets on the 14th april (so a week and a day ago) and I was wondering how long it might be till I see some signs of them doing anything....I accidentally hoofed one out of the soil with a peg this morning when taking the fleece off and it hadn't even started forming roots, so I hoofed up the one next to it and it had a tiny root forming... am I not watering them enough, or am I just being really impatient? They are in a 30cm deep raised bed and the top does get dry during the day but a cm or so below ground is still damp, but not that damp. Do I need to water them more often? I have been watering them a couple of times a day, but not in large amounts, just a sprinkle from a watering can.

[shirlthegirl43]

You are being a bit impatient. Hold on and leave them alone a bit and they will soon show green shoots.

[PrideRavyn]

I thought that might be the case - I'm just so desperate to see some sign of life in the beds, other than the plug brocollis and peas and celery, it looks like a ghost town I'll try and leave the poor things alone

[OllieMartin]

I planted mine out in the middle of February and they've only got about 4-5" of green shoot on them so far.
Patience is a virtue, one which I don't have either

[pjh75]

Snap! I was born 3 weeks early and have been in a hurry ever since according to my folks... my shallots took an age, but they did come.

[Snadger]

Bit worried about the phrase " until they come above ground"? How deeply have you planted them?

[PrideRavyn]

Erm.....the packet said to 'plant bulbs between feb and may, 20cm apart and 6cm deep'.... so I did

[zazen999]

6cm deep!

where did you get them from?

[Jeanied]

And what kind of onion sets are those???

[Hermit]

I always plant my onions with just the tip showing same with shallots and garlic and never had not problems or birds picking them out.

[OllieMartin]

My shallots last year did absolutely nothing, so I dug the patch over and planted some pak choi over the winter.
I was digging those up in February and noticed the shallots have sprouted, so I've relocated them and they're all going great guns now

[selfraising]

Erm.....the packet said to 'plant bulbs between feb and may, 20cm apart and 6cm deep'.... so I did

Am wondering if they might have been talking about 'deep' as in depth between rows??

[Pumpkin Becki]

I bought some v.inexpensive onion and shallot sets this year, and I just happened to read the packet which said plant 5 cm deep!! I promptly threw the packet away as it was clearly telling lies!! Sets should be planted with just the tip of their nose above ground - no deeper than that, they aren't like a flower bulb.

[PrideRavyn]

Oh bum! They were just cheapy numbers from Focus On the front they say 'Onion Sets: Centurion' and on the back it says 'Allium cepa: mild flavour. Planting Instructions: Plant bulbs between Feb-May, 20cm apart and 6cm deep. Plant in full sun or partial shade. Will grow to a height of 30cm. Harvest after 4 months. 100 Pcs, Size 14/21.'

I have plenty left, I could dig up the other ones and then replant again how people suggest? I did think I had seen pictures of onion sets being part in and part out of the ground, but I thought the packet would know best

[Pumpkin Becki]

I think I'd be inclined to lift each set as carefully as you can, trying not to disturb any soil around the root area, and replant as suggested above. I think, as yours haven't made much root development yet you'd be pretty safe to do this now.