Onion Sets - Multiplied instead of bigger!

[Honeyparsnips]

I am relatively new to having an allotment, and this is the first year that I have planed onion sets. My query - if anyone can help, is that I planted them as instructed, but I can't remember the type of onions that I planted, but they definitely were meant to be full-size not salad onions. So instead of growing into bigger onions they seem to have multiplied. From each set I have 8-10 onions about 3 cm across rather than just one big one. Does anyone know what I did wrong or is this normal?

[SarzWix]

It sounds like you might have planted shallots rather than onions. Shallots multiply rather than bulking up into one big onion. They're lovely whole in casseroles, and can also be sliced and used as onion.

[Honeyparsnips]

Thanks for the info. It looks like I need to read the labels better for my next lot of onions, oh well, I am sure they'll still taste good.

[rustylady]

I would think they are shallots.

[Two_Sheds]

Shallots are nicer than onions

[Nicos]

I find they store better too!!

[zazen999]

I agree on both counts.

Learning: Always save the label/packet and put your own label in the ground to remind you where you planted what!

Can you pop yuor location into your profile - it really does help.

Also, I recommend Radar onions for overwintering.