[New shoot]

This is a new thread for anyone growing onions from seed this year. 

There are a few of us planning to get going very soon - see here - http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=111443.0   We can post to say when we sowed our seed, first appearance of seedlings and then compare progress together to harvest.

Its a long term crop, but very rewarding, so why not grab a pack of seeds and join in 

[DD.]

Packet of "The Kelsae" at the ready, Ma'am!

[New shoot]

I'm planning to get the trays of compost inside today.  They need to warm up ready for Boxing Day

[adri123]

I'll be sowing Red Baron and ailsa Craig between Christmas and new year. Inside in heated propagator until they can go on the window chill.

Adri

[DD.]

My heated propagator is the usual plastic bag!

[adri123]

But then you probably have a warm kitchen....take it from me those onions are going to feel the benefit of a heated propagator in our kitchen.

[DD.]

Kitchen? No chance. These will be closely monitored on my bedside table!

[MalcW]

Anyone tried Bedfordshire Champion? I got a packet with a magazine recently, and thought I'd give them a go.

[New shoot]

I looked at those in the seed sales, but it said sow February at the earliest on the pack. 

Having said that, if they were free and you can supply cool, but frost free growing conditions until they are ready to go out, I can't see why they shouldn't work on an early sowing

[pigguns]

I've never grown main crop onions before (sets or seeds), but my spring onions have done well, so having read the earlier thread managed to smuggle into the house a pkt of Red Baron to get an early sowing 'fix'! Will follow experts on this thread 
I've got either a compost/clay-soil area at home, or manured silt down the plot for planting seedlings out later -what would be best? Both sunny.

[MrsPea]

I've been in the greenhouse this morning sorting out propagator and setting it up ready to sow some Kelsae onion
seeds, I've never done this before so it should be interesting 

[New shoot]

I've got either a compost/clay-soil area at home, or manured silt down the plot for planting seedlings out later -what would be best? Both sunny.

Mine grew on sunny clay soil/home made compost area on plot last year and were happy 

One of my windowsills is now primed with mini seed trays full of gently warming compost, extra seed labels to hold the plastic bags up off the compost surface and some sand to top the trays off and anchor the seed in place (optional, but it works for me  )

OH has rolled his eyes a bit, but knows better than to comment 

[blackberryjam]

 Soils already in the pots for sowing my karmen on boxing day  my first time growing from seed .

[sowitgrowit]

I was under the impression that a lot of people sow in their greenhouses and basically just leave the seedlings there until it's time to hoof them out -- however they will presumably be very cold from time to time in these conditions.  Would this be OK?

I was hoping to sow them into spent compost (seedlings won't need a rich medium, right?) in my "shed" (actually a single layer brick outhousey thing), then move them to the blowaway greenhouse.  Should they stay indoors for the duration of winter, to keep them from getting too cold?

[devonbarmygardener]

Kitchen? No chance. These will be closely monitored on my bedside table!