[gavinjconway]

Hi Guys - This year I have been thinking about growing onions through weed fabric as my plotty time is a bit limited compared to last year. So in order to save on some weeding time I was wondering about the onions through the fabric.

My plan is to plant the seedlings (that I have sowed this week) when they are ready in Spring through a hole about 60mm diameter. I have the poly type fabric that I have done my strawberries in and they really thrived.

I also plan to do a patch of sweetcorn the same way but with a bigger hole.

Has anyone tried it or got any ideas?

[mumofstig]

A few of the OBs on our plot grow their onions like that, they seem to do ok 

[Salmo]

Sweetcorn works a treat as do courgettes/squashes.

I have also had sucess with sweetcorn and courgettes/squashes mixed together which saves space.

[compostqueen]

Or you could save making holes in your mulch by using a mulch made with something else.

Cardboard from the electric shop is good and to make it look better you can top it with homemade compost, straw, mowings, mushroom compost, chipped bark etc.  The cardboard can be placed quite close to the plants.  As with all mulches though you need to be alert for slugs and snails

[gavinjconway]

Oooo - thanks compostqueen... I have loads of cardboard boxes with my deliveries every week.. Maybe flatpack them and just use it on my sweetcorn and cover with some planks to keep it down.. I have loads of pallet planks..  :blink:

[syks grower]

Hi you could use plastic milk bottles filled with water to hold it down.

[timdunn]

Planted all mine (sets) through weed fabric this year for the first time. Worked really well even with a clay soil and wet summer. I'd make holes at least 10cm diameter - using a blow torch was the easiest method. Also used for leeks to good effect, although holes need to be big enough to pull the fabric over them when you want to harvest (without stripping all the leaves off)

[Ema]

like the blow torch idea

[gavinjconway]

Thanks for the replies people... I'll do them like this.. I have a big 70mm bell wad punch and a big hammer!!

Happy New Year to all..

[cadalot]

I had never heard of a Wad Punch before your post so I looked on ebay to find out what they were - apart from being very expensive to buy it would appear. but a great way for form the holes on a regular planting pattern.

[Kristen]

I cut a cross shaped slit, with a Stanley knife, my thinking being that it will then "close" around the plant and reduce the weed growth etc. and if the plastic sheet is reused and planted at different spacing the unused positions will be less open. But maybe its wishful thinking!

[gavinjconway]

Wad punch is expensive wow - didn't look at the prices before!!  I'm getting one made by my Son on his lathe.. Just made from a pipe..

Cutting a cross I did think about like some of my strawbs but then thought about the fact of having to tuck them in when the onions are growing.. I may try some with a x to trial it..

[realfood]

I have grown my onions, shallots, sweetcorn, garlic, leeks etc through ground fabric for years, and it always works, and saves so much work weeding.

[Yana]

Do you use the black fabric real food or the the plastic woven type?
The black fabric type is flimsier but is easier to make planting holes. Do you cut a X or a O to plant through?

[gavinjconway]

Do you use the black fabric real food or the the plastic woven type?
The black fabric type is flimsier but is easier to make planting holes. Do you cut a X or a O to plant through?

Ditto... what size holes do you do for the onions..