[jazzbyrd]

and....what should I feed them with?

Jazz

[DD.]

I give mine chicken manure pellets - and soon.

[Ivor Backache]

At this time of the year I would not feed anything, because they are not growing.
With onions you should have prepared the bed and then they do not need much feeding after that, if at all. Overfeeding can produce thick necks and eventually poor storers.

Now DD's  gone and said the opposite. 

[DD.]

I do not prepare an onion bed as such for over-winter onions. To my way of thinking any nutrient you dig in in the autumn could well leech out over winter and not be there once the onions need if for spring growth.

Unlike deeper rooted brassicas, etc., when you can manure in the autumn, any nutrient is wanted in the top few inches and this is where it's going to get washed away from.

I've never suffered with a thick neck!

[gobs]

Spring. Whenever it comes, wherever you are. I tend to do it in March. Topdressing with some chicken manure and a seaweed wash, however, it will depend on how and what into you planted them in the first place.

[sunshineband]

I do not prepare an onion bed as such for over-winter onions. To my way of thinking any nutrient you dig in in the autumn could well leech out over winter and not be there once the onions need if for spring growth.

Unlike deeper rooted brassicas, etc., when you can manure in the autumn, any nutrient is wanted in the top few inches and this is where it's going to get washed away from.

I've never suffered with a thick neck!

I am pleased for you 

[Salmo]

At this time of the year I would not feed anything, because they are not growing.

With day temperatures of 15 C mine are definately growing.

[shoozie]

I've a lot of gaps in my overwinter onion bed due to losses (birds and mice I think).

Will they be ok to lift and replant to regain lost space? Tried these for the first time this autumn - but, very disapointed so far. 

[Benandbill]

Will they be ok to lift and replant to regain lost space? Tried these for the first time this autumn - but, very disapointed so far. 

Going on what I've read previously about onions, I'd say no.  Their roots do not like disturbance..  I'd be patient if I were you, I tried these and they were very successful and was experiencing much the same as you for a time.  These varieties take a while to grow.

As for feeding, mine liked to be watered from a bin that contained a stocking full of sheep droppings that my better half and I had collected from the mountainside one lovely afternoon  

[DD.]

Patience won't fill in missing plants! But I agree that they are probably too far established to move them now.

Stick some fast growing salad crops in the gaps.

[shoozie]

Thanks for that - I'll leave them in place as you advise. 

I've only got about a dozen left from 100 bulbs - unless some have also been washed deeper into the ground with December's rain. 

I don't have chicken pellets - but have growmore pellets - will that be a reasonable alternative feed?
Thanks again

[DD.]

Growmore will be fine.

[Gleavo]

Now I'm confused also. I've prepped my maincrop onion bed with leaf mould and bonfire ash only as I was advised not to give them too much nitrogen. Does the same rule apply to over wintering onions? Or do they need a spring boost? If so of what? I've got chicken poo, seaweed or maybe suphate of potash ( good for garlic apparently).

Should I feed them? They look like they are on course anyway? Also do I need to feed the main crop once they start growing and what with?

Any thoughts much appreciated. Thanks. G

[shoozie]

Growmore will be fine.

Thanks DD - much appreciated 

[TheSpartacat]

I've a lot of gaps in my overwinter onion bed due to losses (birds and mice I think).

Will they be ok to lift and replant to regain lost space? Tried these for the first time this autumn - but, very disapointed so far.  

I would suggest, If you want more onions than what's left, but don't want to devote another bed to them, why not sow some spring-sow onions of a different colour so you don't mix up your autumn planted from your spring sown? Maybe something like red baron onion sets which keep well, going by the onions i planted last year- i'm still using them.
They'll all be harvested around the same kinda time too, freeing the bed up for something else.