Onion sets

[anthonyjb]

Do onion sets need watering in after sowing


Thanks

Anthonyjb

[Scoot]

It all depends on how moist the soil you have just planted them into is. If it is damp, I wouldn't bother but if the soil looks a little dry, then yes, I'd probably give them a little watering.

I'm no expert on growing onions from sets I have to say. I tried that a few year ago and was disappointed. So last year I decided to try and grow my onions from seed and I had much better results. I'm doing the same again this year.

[Lisasbolt]

Check the weather, if it is going to rain then that should be fine to water. Just be careful not to over water as they can rot away.

[brownfingers]

Do the honourable members think it is absolutely neccessary to firm up the ground before planting onion sets, or is it just a fad?

[Kristen]

Not come across that advice before ... not that that means anything!!

[arpoet]

If you push an onion set into firm ground it can often damage the base of the bulb where the roots come from. I always start sets off in cells filled with MPC, then dibber a hole where they are to planted when the roots are growing.

[brownfingers]

I never push sets straight in, I always dib a hole for them. It's just that everyone around here seems to make the ground very firm first as onions are supposed to do better in well compacted soil.

[Kristen]

Brassicas I firm in well ... never done it for Onions

I've had a careful read of my Joy Larkcom, her instructions on Onions run to 4 pages ... it says nothing about firming the soil, hence I'm wondering why your plot neighbours do that.

[Potstubsdustbins]

If its to firm root growth will push the onion out of the ground, then of course we blame ...birds.