[binner]

i planted some onion sets in the autumn and a few were pulled out by birds or mice so i put some mesh around them and over the top, they were growing fine, then i removed the mesh and left it off thinking they would be ok as they had well rooted, however the local pidgeon population has took a liking to them and eaten most of the growth

will they grow back? or should i just pull them up and plant some more?

[8doubles]

There always seem to be deviant blackbirds about that delight in pulling up freshly planted onion sets but i think if they are being eaten it is more likely to be mice, squirrel or slugs.
I would leave the autumn planted ones in if they are firm and show signs of life and put in a row of new sets elsewhere.

[binner]

the sets them self have not been eaten, its the green tops that have gone

[8doubles]

I have not heard of birds eating the tops but if the weather is hard and they are the only greenstuff showing it may happen.
I would give the sets a gentle squeeze to see if they still have reserves for growth, if not replace them.

[Fisherman]

I would leave them to March / April and if they don’t show much sign of recovering then I would replace them with spring planted sets. If you have already got plans for spring sets then try shallots, garlic or whatever else you fancy.

Mine got squashed in the snow as I covered them with a polythene cloche which collapsed. I to am monitoring them to see if they recover mind you they still have a few green leaves.

[binner]

thanks for the reply's, i do have some sets coming with my seed order i put in last autumn so i will use those if they dont pic up

[damo]

I looked on the back of a packet of onions (set)the other day and it said remove any longer hairs and only leave the top showing out of the ground ? is this right ? surely they have to be buried completely ?

[goodegg]

damo the sets need to be covered but just leave the tip showing any old leaves cut off thats what the birds go after thinking is grass and they pull it up