[JohnB47]

Just been looking over my seed collection and I see that instructions for my Rijnsburger 5 onion seeds says "sow outdoors - December to April, direct in final position" (and thin out later).

Is it really practical to sow onion seeds outdoors now (let alone in December). Surely it's too cold for them to germinate?

I might just try some as an experiment but is it worth it?

Last year I germinated them, indoors, in a large pot and transplanted them in the Spring.

Ta.

[mumofstig]

This site offers advice that's perhaps more appropriate.............
http://www.seedaholic.com/onion-rijnsburger-5-collection.html

Timing:
Sow in Autumn or Late Winter to Spring
Seeds can be sown direct in autumn to be harvested in 46 weeks to produce large bulbs (not advisable in very cold areas) Otherwise sow in February under cloches or direct March to April and harvest in 22 weeks. In cold areas and for exhibition bulbs sow under glass in January, harden off in March and transplant outdoors in April.

[JohnB47]

Thanks, that seems much more sensible. Must keep a note of that site.

But why the 'poor'advice on the packet - it surely benefits nobody.

[DD.]

I think JayG summed it up quite nicely in a recent post:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=101666.msg1137172#msg1137172

[JohnB47]

Thanks. Good advice.

I think I would have to live in the Scilly Isles before I would confidently sow outdoors in December.

Cheers.

[Salmo]

If you have light soil and it is dry enough to prepare a nice seedbed then you can sow onion seed direct from about the last week of February until the end of March. After that sets are better as seed needs a long growing season.

It may sit in cold soil and not germinate but onion seed will not rot. If it sits cold when it has started to germinate it will grow very slowly and is vunerable to being chewed by every soil bug. There is also the problem of weeds. Sow plenty of seed and pull the thinnings as scallions (spring onions).

As soil conditions are at the moment I cannot see that the soil will be fit to sow very early. But there again a few weeks of drying winds and sunshine can change things. Nature has a way of catching up.

[JohnB47]

Thanks.

[marcofez]

I have always sowed into modules in the few years having an allotment.  Thin out to one seedlings and grow on. Prepare bed and when soil is warming up, usually beginning march, plant out. Works for me.