[Mafro]

I have a bag of red and a bag of white onion sets from Wilkos.  Any idea when I should be putting these into the ground?
Thanks

[stompy]

I have a bag of red and a bag of white onion sets from Wilkos

Me too, you want to be looking at getting them in around mid March  

[Gandan57]

They are quite hardy so as soon as ground conditions are OK I would get them in.

[Wattsy]

mine are already in

[Kleftiwallah]

Don't just ram 'em into the ground.   Dig a small hole and be prepared to cover them with mesh as the birds love pulling at the tops while searching for bugs.       Cheers,    Tony.

[Bodmass]

If I plant my onion sets late would harvest be any later? 

I have a load overwintering so was wondering would late planting give me a chance to use up more of the winter crop or will they be ready at the same time of year & just be smaller?

[LilacSandy]

There are two types of sets Bodmass, one for overwintering and one for Spring planting, if you keep back some of the overwintering ones you run the risk of them going soft.  The Autumn planting ones are ready first and should be used first, the Spring ones are the keepers.

[Bodmass]

I think I need to clarify

My overwintering sets have been in the ground since November.  My spring sets are in the shed.

My question is would a late planting of my spring sets give me a later harvest (& thus more time to use up the winter crop already in the ground), or would it give just me smaller onions at the same harvest time?

[DD.]

I think Bodmass is saying that he's planted his over-winter ones and is wondering about holding the spring planted ones back while he uses the others.

Onions need their full growing season, if you hold them back too long, you'll end up with small onions. I was late a few years ago due to illness and had a measly crop.

[DD.]

I did read it right then!

[Bodmass]

Cheers DD, I'll still get them in by April then

[DD.]

I've a bit of tidying to do on the plot, then they're next on my list. Shallots are already in.

[Mafro]

Thanks people.  Helpful as always