Too late for onions?

[Two_Sheds]

Don't you put them straight in the ground? Well, clearly not, but I thought that's what you were meant to do?

You can, or you can start them off in modules first. I like modules

[Minamoo]

I bought sets nearly two months ago and never got round to planting them and there wasn't the space for them etc etc. So, after seeing on someones blog that you could plant them in modules (revelation!!) I planted all of them yesterday and put in a row of them on the edge of one of my raised beds. Digging them over is proving to be the hardest thing to get motivated to do but I have some slowly dying raspberry canes in pots that *need* to go out so I guess I'd better dig the raspberry bed over today. Oh no! Sun come back!

[LolaLou]

I realised last week that the great gap in one of my beds that I kept thinking 'I must dig that patch over as it will be needed soon' was actually meant to be housing my spring sown onion sets.....so I emptied the shed and found the sets hidden under some gloves and bags.....not ideal but mine will be getting planted this weekend - I never really get anything more than large golf balls from onions anyway so if these turn out the same, I'll be happy anyway!!

[Mikey]

I've planted early and late, the late ones tend to go to seed earlier as their roots are not as substantial and dry out quicker when we have a warm spell. This isn't the end of the world I just pull off the seed head, but they won't store, so you have to remember to use these up first.

[Potstubsdustbins]

That is my ground they will not move from there, though like 2Sheds I have spares in modules.

This pic is from last year.

Colin

[mrbadexample]

I found some Red Baron in Morrisons today for £1, so I thought I'd get them. They don't look great, but for £1 I thought I'd chance it. I expected them to be nice and firm, but these are a bit soft and seem on the dry side. Is that usual? (I've never bought sets before.)

So, do I plant them in modules or get them straight in the ground? Which would give them the best chance of success?

[pauco]

Just saw your post! i hope it ain't to late, as there was a offer in March Amature Gardening from
Mr. Fothergill's for Kelsae onion sets, 40 onions + bag of fertilliser for £6-95 so i sent for them on 25th March & was told they would be dispatched by mid march! still waiting. Got all my others in, weeks ago.
I just fancied trying these because of the write ups they have had.

paul.

[mrbadexample]

Just saw your post! i hope it ain't to late,

Too late! But thanks anyway. It's my fault for thinking about things the month after they need doing, when I see what everyone else has got.

[Two_Sheds]

i sent for them on 25th March & was told they would be dispatched by mid march!

lol

In the time machine?

[witchwoo]

my friend planted red barron out yesterday MBE so i would just pop them in your rased beds and water

[mrbadexample]

That is my ground...

Should have guessed from the username, shouldn't I?

Last year's look fabulous - well done! I can do that - I've got plenty of tubs. What diameter are those pots please?

I'll start some in modules while I think about it. Thanks Colin.


Edit: Right then - some in the raised bed, some in flower buckets, spares in modules. Thanks all.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Hi those pots are about 12/14 inches diameter bought when I first started growing in containers.
Since then I have become a lot more frugal (thats a posh word for tight) and also now used recycled plastic cold water storage tanks. These I cut down to about 8" high and plant with 20 onions, full size they take main crop spuds. If you know a plumber/heating engineer they are usually desperate to get rid of them.

Colin

[mrbadexample]

Since then I have become a lot more frugal (thats a posh word for tight)

I'm fully familiar with frugal. I've got a dozen ex-council recycling bins.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Do you mean wheelie bins? been trying to get my hands on some of those for some time. I have a friend whos grows a tremendous amount of spuds in one of those. His garden suffers from shading at various times of the year so he will wheel the bin around to get best advantage from the available sun.

Colin

[mrbadexample]

Nah, these:



Great for carrots & parsnips.

And onions, soon.