[purplenic]

sorry did a search but couldnt seem to find an answer..... do people find it better to plant onions from seed or buy the onion sets - have never done onions before and am getting a bit lost! :?  can you start the seeds in modules or are you risking them bolting when they are finally planted out?
thanks a lot!

[blackisgreen]

i think youll find this debate 50/50 yes sets are easier but you get more variety in seed only you can decide

[peapod]

Ive used both and I prefer sets, simply for ease and also its nice to have one thing I use a LOT that I dont have to worry about germinating.
They say that heat treated onions sets are less prone to bolting, but Ive had sets (red and white) bolt on me this year in pots, theyve been ok up the lotty though (so far!)

Paula

[peterjf]

hi there all our set bolted this year so we planted seeds , the old guy on the next plot showed a new way to plant them out ,

let them grow to about 9 inches in trays ,

rake out a narrow trench about 2 inches deep ,

lay the small onions in the trench and cover with soil ,

do not press them in ,

 water every 2 days and every day you will see them lifting themselves up until they are straight ,

just water them regular until they are up straight , we was amazed at the way we was shown , good luck

[purplenic]

thats great - thanks everyone!

[cawdor2001]

mine all tried to bolt this year whether from seed or sets, just nipped the flower heads off early and they are fine, all winter sown ones, shallots and garlic harvested, spring sown ones still to lift, not ready yet.


Cawdor