Onion struggles

[dean_wales]

Hi guys,

Every year I balls up onion growing and have to struggle to get back on track in time to get a crop - this year seems like it might be more of the same.

I wanted to try again with onion seeds this year, so brought some Bedfordshire Champion seeds from Kings Seeds. I have only succeeded with sets in the past. I sowed them 2-3 weeks ago which is OK by the packet but seems late going by forums and guides online.

They are in small modules full of John Innes seed compost on a warm bright windowsill. About two thirds have germinated and are a couple of inches tall and now mostly standing upright.

Are these too late? Have I time to sow any more (didn't sow enough)? What should I do next?

Will try to enclose a photo.

Thanks,

Dean.

[Aberdeenplotter]

it is on the late side but you will still get onions. Have a good read through this thread http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...eed_69067.html and you should pick up the essentials

[dean_wales]

Thanks for the guide...

If you were me would you forget it and plant sets this year to be on the safe side? I (and the mrs) would be gutted not to have a good crop of tennis ball sized onions from the allotment.

BTW Growing site will be a terraced allotment on a SE facing hill with pretty good drainage/soil.

Dean.

[Mr Gardener]

Hi guys,

Every year I balls up onion growing and have to struggle to get back on track in time to get a crop - this year seems like it might be more of the same.

I wanted to try again with onion seeds this year, so brought some Bedfordshire Champion seeds from Kings Seeds. I have only succeeded with sets in the past. I sowed them 2-3 weeks ago which is OK by the packet but seems late going by forums and guides online.

They are in small modules full of John Innes seed compost on a warm bright windowsill. About two thirds have germinated and are a couple of inches tall and now mostly standing upright.

Are these too late? Have I time to sow any more (didn't sow enough)? What should I do next?

Will try to enclose a photo.

Thanks,

Dean.

I'd be more worried about you Potatos - too closely planted and barely any soil in sight!

I've only ever done onions from sets, it might be 'cheating' a bit but much easier I'd imagine!

[dean_wales]

Those are my reserve spuds all picked up from B&Q for a quid as they had sprouted. My proper ones are in the ground. If I have a late frost or spare space they will go in then.

What's the time window for sets? Most seem to be 6-9 inches tall at the allotment already!

Dean.

[Mr Gardener]

I potted some up indoors a couple of months ago to give them a head start before planting out recently, they seem to be struggling in my raised bed but hopefully they'll perk up. I also planted a load at the beginning of last week, just starting to show signs of growth now. Can't remember when I pulled them up last year (or when I planted!) but you should be fine to drop some onions now.

[Kristen]

Onions are on a day-length clock for bulbing up, so I think it is one of the few crops that won't catch up and needs to be done "on time" regardless. So I always sow on the first date on the seed packet advice, rather than the last one

However, I have no idea how late you can sow and get away with it. Maybe plant half-and-half seedlings and Sets?

I have never found seed difficult, but chums (who grow excellent vegetables) tell me they have never managed it. I have no idea why ...

Only thing that I do is to unwind and straighten the roots when I plant them out, and then plant the roots "vertically" in the planting hole. other than that its the same as anything else for me: sow, prick out to modules, and plant.


Biggest advantage of seed, for me, is the choice of varieties. (Saves some money too as I buy the seed in the 50p-a-packet Autumn sales)

[dean_wales]

However, I have no idea how late you can sow and get away with it. Maybe plant half-and-half seedlings and Sets?

Good idea. Split the bed half sets and half seedlings that I already have. I can sow the other half of the packet in December as a second more determined attempt at growing them.

I'll get some sets ASAP

[Mikey]

Not sure if you have a home bargains near you, I picked up a big bag of onion sets 1/2 price last weekend.

[dean_wales]

Not sure if you have a home bargains near you, I picked up a big bag of onion sets 1/2 price last weekend.

Yer I am going to do both as a comparison. My beds are 2.4m x 1.8m and I use Phormison ground cover to reduce/eliminate weeding as with two young toddlers I struggle with time. It works well for crops like squashes and also onions - not so good for root veg etc.

The Phormisol has 25cm lines which means about 63 plants per bed. So I may end up doing two beds - one sets and one seedlings. If the seedlings look really wimpy I will just plant the 30 best alongside 30 sets as two beds to onions is a bit much...

Great forum this - thanks!

Dean.