Onions?

[mebanana]

Have I missed the boat for growing onions this year?

Very new to all this so sorry if that's a silly question

[Mark Ryding]

Just put my sets in

cheers Mark

[jwalter]

A good sowing and planting for the onions would be in the fall or autumn because onions prefer cool weather conditions in the first part of their growth season and on the contrary prefers warmer weather with higher temperatures, during harvesting. Also do take care that you grow it in sandy soil as onions will grow well in these kind of soil.

[DavidT]

Mebanana, you have plenty of time to plant onion sets. Just buy them before the shops sell out, despite what has been said, you DON`T need sandy soil and the spring planted sets DON`T need cold weather. In fact the exact opposite applies, they need a bit of warmth in the soil.

[PottyPot]

Originally Posted by DavidT

Mebanana, you have plenty of time to plant onion sets. Just buy them before the shops sell out, despite what has been said, you DON`T need sandy soil and the spring planted sets DON`T need cold weather. In fact the exact opposite applies, they need a bit of warmth in the soil.

What about onion from seed

[DavidT]

Didn`t I say SETS? Seed onions don`t want cold either, that`s why you start and grow them UNDER HEAT in December.

[PottyPot]

Originally Posted by DavidT

Didn`t I say SETS? Seed onions don`t want cold either, that`s why you start and grow them UNDER HEAT in December.

I've never grown onion from seed before and still haven't sown mine I'm scared I think I'll go to the local allotments and let the old chaps down there laugh at me, but at least I'll come away wiser

[DavidT]

Potty, take the bull by the horns and SOW THEM.lol

[smithyveg]

Still time to sow onions from seed. Start them off now and you'll be fine.


Smithyveg!

[PottyPot]

Originally Posted by smithyveg

Still time to sow onions from seed. Start them off now and you'll be fine.


Smithyveg!

I don't suppose you could take me through it step by step If I sow them in seed trays and then plant out, how deep do I plant them?

[DavidT]

Three quarters fill your seed tray with compost and water, leave it drain for about a half hour then lightly sprinkle the onion seed, cover with about 1/4 inch of compost and GENTLY firm. If you don`t have a greenhouse, cover with a propagator lid and place on a warm, well lit, windowsill.

[PottyPot]

Originally Posted by DavidT

Three quarters fill your seed tray with compost and water, leave it drain for about a half hour then lightly sprinkle the onion seed, cover with about 1/4 inch of compost and GENTLY firm. If you don`t have a greenhouse, cover with a propagator lid and place on a warm, well lit, windowsill.

When they pop up how deep do I plant them outside? I have visions of the bulbs growing beneath the surface and rotting Please remember what I told you about my leeks

[DavidT]

You don`t plant them straight out. When they are at the crook stage, prick them out into individual cells. Grow them on indoors for a while until they esatblish a good root system to properly support the plant.

[PottyPot]

Originally Posted by DavidT

You don`t plant them straight out. When they are at the crook stage, prick them out into individual cells. Grow them on indoors for a while until they esatblish a good root system to properly support the plant.

Thank you, I shall do it tomorrow

[DavidT]

Originally Posted by PottyPot

Thank you, I shall do it tomorrow

And have you?

[PottyPot]

Originally Posted by DavidT

And have you?

Yes With fevered brow and shaky hand I sowed them all on my own I now need to lie down in a darkened room

[DavidT]

Relax my child. let the force be with you.

[PottyPot]

Originally Posted by DavidT

Relax my child. let the force be with you.

I just hope they don't end up looking like spring onions I'd love to be able to grow those huge ones

[DavidT]

If you want to grow the huge ones you need to sow the seed in December.