[MoreWhisky]

My friend has decided to put his onion sets in pots to give them a head start. Im not convinced as i rekon mine going straight in ground will catch them up. And apart from that i really cant be bothered potting about 150 sets.

Anybody try this? and what where the results?

Cheers MW.

[DavidT]

Because of the cold weather, I potted up about 600 sets last Tuesday. They will go out around mid March once the soil has warmed up a bit.

[MoreWhisky]

So you think there is a definate advantage then David, My mate is actually doing half and half to see.

[lightyears]

i done this last year and saw a huge increase in my returns, i find giving them a start early on sorts the best bulbs from the weaker,getting a better growth.

[DavidT]

So you think there is a definate advantage then David, My mate is actually doing half and half to see.

Definitely. You are extending the growing season. Much the same as chitting potatoes.

[New shoot]

Because of the cold weather, I potted up about 600 sets last Tuesday. They will go out around mid March once the soil has warmed up a bit.

Wowser - you have worked hard. I've only got 1 bag and was wondering about potting up because I tried shallots that way last year and they really worked well.  Do you fleece them when they go out - my plot is a bit prone to late frosts.

[zazen999]

Most of my onion sets get started off in modules - shoulder to shoulder - to get the root system off to a good start. Mainly because I'm always waiting for one bed to become free to put them in their final positions.....

[bigben]

You guys who pot them - do they suffer when you have to dig them up to replant outside. What do you pot them in? I have 300+ could I put them close together in seed trays. I assume if it works with onions I could also put my shallots into trays as well? It still seems a bit cold to get them out.

[Potiron]

Guys. Dolls,
               I bought some white onion sets last Autumn and forgot to plant them
 Would it be worth planting them in paper pots now or a waste of time anf effort?

[digalotty]

try em theres nothing to loose 

[kingdhesiii]

I just plant mine stright in the ground, never had any problems that way.

[ruralczech]

When you have potted up the sets do you keep them in a green house, cold frame, window sill ? (obviously not window sill for 300) Could Garlic be started in the same way?

[zazen999]

Greenhouse/coldframe/anywhere under a bit of cover

Yes you can do it for garlic but don't put them under cover; they like the cold.

They don't mind being moved in the slightest; it tends to give them a bit of a kick up the harris....it's the root systems that you want to develop so modules lets them develop a nice root ball which them just gets straight to work once in their final position' but if the roots break a little it doesn't really matter; they just grow some more.

[Trillium]

Here you go, you're not the only one 

http://www.allotment-garden.org/allotment-tips/garlic-in-pots.php

[kingdhesiii]

Because of the cold weather, I potted up about 600 sets last Tuesday. They will go out around mid March once the soil has warmed up a bit.

What the hell do you do with 600 onion sets by the way.