[damo]

I am attempting to grow some onions for the first time from sets, apparently you get better results from them.
Any advice from anyone ? do they need covering when I first plant them to stop the birds getting at them, but once they are established do they need cover then?

[prakash_mib]

I havent grown much, but onions are the easiest ones if you are growing from sets. They dont need cover or anything. But put a couple of slug pellets in the hole ( I had a couple eaten by them) and visit regularly (read daily) for any onions popped out and push them back in. They do pop out due to frost or birds pulling it out. but wouldnt bother about covering them

[bigben]

For me the birds never bother them but I live near a park and squirrels try to dig them up or cats use the new ground as a litter tray and disturb them. However neither poses a big problem. Just replant any you see have been disturbed.

[damo]

cheers

[plum crumble]

Onions are very shallow rooted, so don't panic that they seem practically out of the ground!. They like nitrogen, and water (but not too much).

Keep the weeds down. You'll be fine

[prakash_mib]

and please add your location in your profile. this will enable other people to give advice on location specific.

[solway cropper]

The nice little birdies seem to think it's great fun pulling my onion sets out of the ground so I made little tunnels from chicken wire and keep them covered till they're well established.

[Cavolo Nero]

Im thinking about planting mine - too early? Its been wet down here but not too cold - actually theres been the odd fine day!

[DD.]

People down your way have got spuds in.

So you're way behind with onions.

[Cavolo Nero]

Crikey I know - I think it's bit premature, we had snow in march last year! The onions should be ok though, I'll plant this weekend if it isn't too wet.

[Paul Plots]

People down your way have got spuds in.

So you're way behind with onions.

Ground is too wet here in should-be-sunny-sussex  too cold too.
Mine will wait their time patiently.

Autumn planted onion sets are happy though 

[Debz]

We have about 10 inches of snow at the moment so my onions will have to wait a little longer to go in.  Once they are in, I don't have many problems.  The odd one gets pulled up by the birds but I just pop it back in again. My bigger problem is with the neighbourhood cats and foxes who seem to regard my garden as a litter tray.  I stick little broken canes in the garden and then they don't like it.

[plum crumble]

I stick little broken canes in the garden and then they don't like it.

ooh they don't like it up 'em Captain!