Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Donnay on April 08, 2013, 20:00

Title: Advice on planting onion sets!
Post by: Donnay on April 08, 2013, 20:00

Hi

Last year was my first year and the weather being so good made it easier for me. However this year I'm unsure when to plant things due to the cold and frosts most nights.

I have onion sets to plant out, some have started sprouting. Is it ok to plant then out in the cold and if is will I need to protect them with fleece against frosts?

Any advice welcome.

Title: Re: Advice on planting onion sets!
Post by: AnnieB on April 08, 2013, 20:07

Mine went in 2 to 3 weeks ago, seem pretty robust as some have already come through.

Title: Re: Advice on planting onion sets!
Post by: allot2learn on April 08, 2013, 20:57

I put 350 in last Saturday. They're doing OK.

Title: Re: Advice on planting onion sets!
Post by: Armleywhite on April 09, 2013, 02:43

I planted some just before the big snow we had a few weeks ago.  although none are sprouting much at the moment, I moved the soil gently from around a couple and the roots were shooting out nicely.  Hopefully, they'll be fine :)

Title: Re: Advice on planting onion sets!
Post by: boldondig on April 09, 2013, 07:53

Planted my sets on 16th March and they have survived the snow and have just started to show signs of sprouting. I would have thought it would be fine to plant your sets now. They do not need protection with fleece for the cold but I do cover mine with netting as the something always seems to dig them up if I don't. I thought it was pigeons but I have been reliable informed it is a pheasant!

Title: Re: Advice on planting onion sets!
Post by: Sue33 on April 09, 2013, 10:21

Will be putting mine in this weekend, they'll be fine  :)

Title: Re: Advice on planting onion sets!
Post by: Kleftiwallah on April 09, 2013, 10:40

DON'T just press them into the soil surface as this compresses the soil under the root plate.  Dig a small hole and cover them so the birds don't pull them out again in their search for bugs and beasties.  Double check which way up you are planting them!  :unsure:

Cheers,   Tony.