[AnneB]

I think the first week in November is the best time to plant garlic.   Earlier for autumn planted onion sets, end if September for those.

[wasthiswise]

I read somewhere there is an old saying about garlic, which is to plant on the shortest day (dec 21) and harvest on the longest day (jun 21).

[compostqueen]

I planted some Radar onion sets today, in the rain, in a bit of plot that's not seen the light of day for about 3 years, having been manured deeply and covered over with black sheet mulch.  The muck had completely disappeared. Gone, absorbed by the worms and moles I suspect   

[gavinjconway]

I read somewhere there is an old saying about garlic, which is to plant on the shortest day (dec 21) and harvest on the longest day (jun 21).

Hi wasthiswise - As far as I know that saying is for shallots... Garlic is normally October/November and some types are for spring planting.

[Sparkyrog]

I read somewhere there is an old saying about garlic, which is to plant on the shortest day (dec 21) and harvest on the longest day (jun 21).

Hi wasthiswise - As far as I know that saying is for shallots... Garlic is normally October/November and some types are for spring planting.

I agree that saying is for shallots not garlic 

[chillimummy]

ordered red onion sets today "electric" and solent wight and elephant garlic for delivery. from what i have read, elephant garlic sounds like cross between garlic and leeks.
Never grown garlic before so hoping for success     

[gobs]

ordered red onion sets today "electric" and solent wight and elephant garlic for delivery. from what i have read, elephant garlic sounds like cross between garlic and leeks.
Never grown garlic before so hoping for success     

Yes, elephant garlic is pretty much a leek. It's big, but not that big on garlic flavour, easy to grow.

Electric might well be spring planting, did you check for this? Senshuyu or something like that it's called you are looking for.

Even if they offer not specifically winter onion for autumn planting, you might find less success or longer maturity time with them.

[Rexmundi]

Is it possible to plant any type of onion sets during autumn? I have some sets left over from spring, can I plant them? Or are there only particular types that you can plant at this time of year.
Thanks 

[gobs]

Is it possible to plant any type of onion sets during autumn? I have some sets left over from spring, can I plant them? Or are there only particular types that you can plant at this time of year.
Thanks

You can, in theory, however, those that are last year's bulbs might not do so well as onions are classed as bi-annuals. And varieties today will be specifically bread out for certain purpose of many crops.

[wil4025]

I always find onions and garlic this time of year is much better than spring planted crop. Got a few bags from wilkos cheap this year.

[chillimummy]

Thanks for info Gobs. When ordering the red onions, it did say they are for autumn planting. Am sure they were called electric. Will look at order again! Glad to know elephant garlic easy to grow. Really looking forward to growing garlic for first time.
Hoping for success