[green3a]

Hi, I have tried growing from seed this year into prepared ground. They've been in for 2 months and now they have leaves about 6 inches above the ground. Since the frosts will soon be coming what is the best way to protect them over winter? I have some fleece loosely covering them but I'm worried about snapping their stems. Should I cut them back or just simply leave them be?
Also I put onion and garlic sets in about a month ago and they're all beginning to sprout top growth which is good. Same question applies to these as well. The types are Electric, Senshyu and Thermidore.

Thanks,  Alan.

[BabbyAnn]

last year I grew Senshyu Yellow from seed (and some other variety from sets as a back up plan) - after the heavy lying snow and deep penetrating frosts for several weeks from late November, I had more or less resigned myself that the seedlings were dead.  I couldn't be more wrong - not only survived, thrived and produced the best onion crop    So, don't cut back and don't bother with fleece - this will most likely damage the leaves more (and introduce diseases)

As for the sets, I lost quite a few where the frost and ice had lifted them out of the ground - so growing from seed definitely did better!

[LorraineWB]

Over the last 4 years I have grown various types of onions from sets over winter and always had a very good crop the following summer.  This years's crop were slightly smaller than previous years but still pretty good.  I have never covered the young leaves and not had any problems.

[kosh42|EFG]

I'm only covering mine until they get some leaves and roots to stop the bird pulling them out. Then they're going to be exposed to all the weather has to throw at them...

[green3a]

Thanks for all the advice - so quick as well. I bit the bullet today and uncovered my little babies so fingers crossed. Time for them to stand up on their own.....
Al.

[braders1234]

So, am I too late to plant some onion sets for this year?

I live on teh south coast so we are pretty mild down here at the moment?

if I am not too late can I plant any onion, I want some red ones and shallots?

[mumofstig]

There are special types for planting in Autumn, ordinary onion sets don't get planted until spring

[gobs]

Green, you do not need to do anything to overwintering onions.

Your seed lot though sound as if they were late sown. Still, all you can do, is leave well alone.