Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: amj84 on May 04, 2013, 20:22

Title: Onion Sets
Post by: amj84 on May 04, 2013, 20:22
Hi,

I might have been a bit keen and I put my onion sets in the ground last weekend.  I have been out today and none have started showing.  I thought I would have a little dig to see if anything is happening and the first set in the first row didn't have any roots and the top looked dark brownish in colour.

I have been watering this week but we have also had a few ground frosts early in the mornings.  Have I ruined my sets this year?

Thanks for any help

Andy
Title: Re: Onion Sets
Post by: Tea Break on May 04, 2013, 20:29
I don't think so just give it some time and Patience for nature to work. If the ground is still cold then they will take a little longer.
Title: Re: Onion Sets
Post by: allot2learn on May 04, 2013, 20:32
Mine have been in for a month and only just started to move. They'll be fine, don't worry about them.
Title: Re: Onion Sets
Post by: ConfusedGardener on May 04, 2013, 21:33
Mine just went in today. A couple already had green shoots. Not sure if I did it right, but I planted them so that the shoots were above the ground!
Title: Re: Onion Sets
Post by: allot2learn on May 04, 2013, 21:41
I put mine in half above and half below soil level. Works for me.
Title: Re: Onion Sets
Post by: fatbelly on May 04, 2013, 21:46
Not at all to late for planting, you are too early in your 'root testing' thou.
Leave them be and all will be fine.
Title: Re: Onion Sets
Post by: DD. on May 04, 2013, 22:24
Actually you've not been too keen at all, in fact a little tardy. Ideally in my book they should have been in 2 months ago.

I'll agree with fatbelly in part, in that you're too early to be root testing, the too late for planting bit is open for discussion, but I'll say from my part do not expect a full size crop from sets planted at this time of year. They'd be no point planting them in March otherwise.
Title: Re: Onion Sets
Post by: Growster... on May 04, 2013, 22:38
The best crop we saw on 'the plots', was planted in May last year, when some chums just said they had some to chuck in!

Great result, got the weather right, had loads of onions too!

Yeah, timing is the thing, but that seems to have gone out of the window this year, so, get ready for anything from now on.

You never know, you could be a winner!
Title: Re: Onion Sets
Post by: DD. on May 04, 2013, 22:41
On the other hand, my worst ever crop was planted in May!
Title: Re: Onion Sets
Post by: Growster... on May 04, 2013, 22:45
Too right, DD!

I tried planting them in autumn every year, up to last year and they all failed...
Title: Re: Onion Sets
Post by: DD. on May 04, 2013, 22:46
Maybe you should try winter/Japanese onions at that time of year, rather than the cheapies you bought at the end of season sale in June.  :lol:
Title: Re: Onion Sets
Post by: Growster... on May 04, 2013, 22:51
Voice from the past, DD!

My overy ld chum used to sell me Japanese onions, and they were pretty damn good...

This year's are ordinary sets, as we found some spare room, but maybe next year...
Title: Re: Onion Sets
Post by: wil4025 on May 06, 2013, 11:19
Mine are all dying out to planted in my allotment, but we had a problem with the main water and im not planting things till council sorts it. The allotment is in the middle of no where.
Title: Re: Onion Sets
Post by: salmonking on May 06, 2013, 12:47
mine have been in 4-5 weeks and are up about 4".we also have had 3-4 frost since,but still going strong.give it time :D
Title: Re: Onion Sets
Post by: alancas on May 06, 2013, 13:11
planted sets a couple of weeks ago,the only ones not to show so far are red barons
Title: Re: Onion Sets
Post by: Annen on May 06, 2013, 13:24
My red barons are behind too.