Rubbish onions

**Shadylane** · 01-08-2014, 07:48 AM

We have two plots on different sites. Our first plot - the onions have been useless, small or gone to seed. The soil there is looser and free draining, but has had more muck on it over the years. Our second plot the onions were much better. A few have bolted but there are some good sixed ones and the shallots are fab. The soil here is very heavy, not as fre draining but bakes on the surface and hasn't had as much work on it as we haven't had it as long. So who knows - maybe the lack of rain after the initial wet spring(??)

**Jonnyt** · 01-08-2014, 08:28 AM

I have to say with all the sun I've had a fantastic crop using square foot methods with a 3 inch spacing.

No weeds, nearly all the ground consumed by onions. I tried a few clumps aswell and per inch they were really productive

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**hamamelis** · 01-08-2014, 09:58 AM

I never do well with onions; most of mine were barely any bigger than the sets, and half of them bolted. Again.

The shallots were OK though, I think I might give up on onions and stick to the shallots in future, they store better anyway.

**Guykp57** · 01-08-2014, 10:08 AM

Using this thread to ask question, what are the best overwintering onions to use. I'm up in North Wales. They will be going into ground I've just lifted potatoes from. Not had much success with this years onions. Cheers.

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**KevinM67** · 02-08-2014, 08:35 PM

Dorothy - I've had the exact same problem.

I've had my plot for about 4 years now, and had good and bad experiences with most stuff I've grown, however onions have remained constantly good and never had any problems.

With the crop rotation plan in place, I was a bit narked at putting onions in this particular bed, as it is probably the best one in the way of soil structure and weed-free I had this year.

I"m embarrassed to take this year's crop home.

**Dorothy rouse** · 02-08-2014, 08:55 PM

Strange, you're in Yorkshire, I'm in Kent, so quite different, must have been wet Spring? Think I'm just going to do Autumn ones this year.

**Bigmallly** · 02-08-2014, 09:09 PM

I'm lead to believe that alliums planted the second year run to seed.

**roitelet** · 02-08-2014, 09:13 PM

Originally posted by Bigmallly View Post

I'm lead to believe that alliums planted the second year run to seed.

You are quite right they are bi annuals and flower in the second year.

**lottie dolly** · 02-08-2014, 09:20 PM

This year is a disaster every where with spring sown onion sets,my overwinters were a good size,although a few had the worm,and or white mould,the garlic was disgusting and a total loss,have yet to get the E garlic up,they are all in different areas of my plots,i expect next year they will be expensive in the shops,unless they are treated to chemicals,
ref to planting small ones the next year,i did this a bit ago,and they all ran to seed,

**KevinM67** · 02-08-2014, 10:43 PM

Originally posted by lottie dolly View Post

This year is a disaster every where with spring sown onion sets,my overwinters were a good size,although a few had the worm,and or white mould,the garlic was disgusting and a total loss,have yet to get the E garlic up,they are all in different areas of my plots,i expect next year they will be expensive in the shops,unless they are treated to chemicals,
ref to planting small ones the next year,i did this a bit ago,and they all ran to seed,

That's interesting - is there any explanation for it ??

Over the last few years we've had some strange and extreme weather (last year's spring was brutal), however, onions always seemed to be oblivous to it and performed well consistently regardless.

I always use sets - I wonder if those who grow from seed had better success ??

**Vince G** · 02-08-2014, 11:20 PM

Originally posted by KevinM67 View Post

I always use sets - I wonder if those who grow from seed had better success ??

Grew sets and seed as an experiment this year and there's not much difference betweewn them - some beauties, but a lot of average ones probably approaching the size of a tennis ball.

Grew from seed to prove I could do it, but it's a bit of a faff, so will probabyl stick to sets going forward.

**bobbin** · 03-08-2014, 09:19 AM

I'm in Sussex. I planted red onions on a new raised bed. Couldn't afford masses of new soil/ compost etc so added Verve and some of my compost. Jumbo onions,about 40!only one tried to seed. I did water them a lot. Last year they were barely golf ball size. Also huge shallots too big to pickle unfortunately. Could it be just the part of the country that's the reason along with weather of course. Of course could be my soil was a bit impoverished pre raised beds.

**Dorothy rouse** · 03-08-2014, 02:19 PM

Originally posted by bobbin View Post

I'm in Sussex. I planted red onions on a new raised bed. Couldn't afford masses of new soil/ compost etc so added Verve and some of my compost. Jumbo onions,about 40!only one tried to seed. I did water them a lot. Last year they were barely golf ball size. Also huge shallots too big to pickle unfortunately. Could it be just the part of the country that's the reason along with weather of course. Of course could be my soil was a bit impoverished pre raised beds.

I don't know, but well done. My bed was also pretty rubbish before the new raised bed, hence the new raised bed, had potatoes there last year, and home made not rotted down compost, but covered with fabric over the winter.

I'll try a different bed next year.

**KevinM67** · 04-08-2014, 06:51 AM

On the subject of rubbish onions - many of my red onion sets seemed to form two bulbs

Is there any apparent reason for this (I.e. poor soil, poor product, poor weather, etc) ??

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