[casper]

Hi, I thought I would give my onion sets a little start at home hoping they would be a bit more robust when planted out, I have green stems poppimg out of them, I have read bits and dont know if theses dark green shoots are called bolting. If so do I trim them off, I should have curved my urge to plant stuff

[mumofstig]

the green bit is the new plant growing, so leave them to grow 

[DD.]

I'd get them into the ground now!

[casper]

My thought was that green stuff growing was good. Goodie will get them in today, thanks

[Kleftiwallah]

Casper, don't just ram 'em into the soil.  This compresses the soil under the embrionic root plate, just dig a small hole and pop them in.   Don't forget to protect from the birds as they are likely to pull out your onion sets while searching for bugs.      Cheers,     Tony.

[casper]

Will do, now that I have stems do I plant these or leave them exposed

[Nikkithefoot]

Green shoots above soil level, bulbs only just buried. Cover with a net to stop birdies undoing all your hard work.

[Trillium]

You'll know when the onion is truly bolting, which is when it's had a chance to grow for a while and you see a distinctly thicker stem growing straight up and a flower head starts to form. The thick, hollow stem is the giveaway and soon as you spot it, you should snap this off since the flower will steal energy from the ground bulb.

[casper]

thank you