[Robert_S]

Afternoon all 

I am going to give Autumn planted onion sets a bash shortly, and I was wondering about a couple of things.

Firstly, what is the best time to plant them. I am worried if I plant them too early then the foliage will be more prone to damage by frost than if it was later planted therefore smaller. Or are they completely winter hardy so I don't need to worry? (was thinking about Senshyu Yellow) Or maybe the foliage just doesn't grow much now, just the roots?

Secondly, they will be going into a freshly made up raised bed with some nice quality soil (no compost). Is it enough just to rake some growmore in now, or is there anything else I should do which might help produce decent onions?

[DD.]

They are winter hardy, but I don't like them to have too much growth, just enough to give them a start for the spring sprint.

Mine won't be planted until October for the reason quoted, nor will I feed them at this stage. Anything raked in now will just leech out during the winter months when the plant can't use it.

They'll get a good dose of chicken manure pellets once they start to move in the spring.

[Robert_S]

That's sounds good to me, thanks DD.

[gavinjconway]

I agree on all above but mine go in their long tubs end of Sept on my roof to get the last of the summer ... then when really cold come in transferred into the greenhouse till the warmth starts to peep through then onto my roof again..  Works well for me in the NW..

This gets them to thumb thickness by mid April for onions in white sacue.  (green and white like leeks) - delicious..