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This year I'm going to try growing onions from seed for the first time, also Zebrune shallots. I am confused as there seems to be wildly different advice about when to sow, and whether it's better to sow indoors in modules or direct into the ground. I am growing in raised beds. Advice please!
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Sow between now and the end of Feb and sow into modules is my advice.
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Originally posted by zazen999 View Post
Agreed. Do it in somewhere sheltered, I'm using a cold window sill. Move out as growing.Comment
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The lovely VVG gave me some sturon onion seeds that keep looking at me. I'm debating whether I sow them in modules in the wendy house.Comment
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Why are you debating? You have nought else to do.Originally posted by horticultural_hobbit View PostComment
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Go for it but keep them warm for a whileLook deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better...Albert Einstein
Blog - @Twotheridge: For The Record - Sowing and Growing with a Virgin Veg Grower: Spring Has Now Sprung...Boing! http://vvgsowingandgrowing2012.blogs....html?spref=twComment
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That's why I'm debating. Wendy house won't be very warm. And I have to vacate the window sill ASAP on ma's say so.Comment
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I plant my onion seeds now (planted Ailsa Craig on Boxing Day). I planted them in modules and have them in a heated propagator, no lid, in my shed, by the window. Will keep them there until they have germinated. I did this last year although I did not use modules but planted them in a pot and then moved them into modules when they had germinated. Planted them out when they were large enough.
I am aiming for large onions which I enter in local shows and therefore sow early. If size matters, plant now !Comment
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Start mine a pinch in each module, inside until through. Then they go out into the placcie greenhouse until I think it's about time to plant em out. I have fed them with some bonemeal (while in modules) too which seemed to thicken em up. Not sure if y supposed to but it seemed to work.Comment
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A pinch in modules for me too. Multi sown. They are inside with warmth and when through, after a bit will go out into greenhouse when bigger/tougher.Last edited by VirginVegGrower; 02-01-2012, 01:24 AM.Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better...Albert Einstein
Blog - @Twotheridge: For The Record - Sowing and Growing with a Virgin Veg Grower: Spring Has Now Sprung...Boing! http://vvgsowingandgrowing2012.blogs....html?spref=twComment
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Thanks all. I should have mentioned that I don't have a greenhouse, so if I start them indoors they will need to go straight into the garden from there.Comment
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Ahh right, err... anyone?? I wouldn't plant them out until they're a bit sturdier but if you put them outside on the patio table they should be okay if this mild winter continues. Not sure how hardy onion seedlings are but I think they're pretty tough. Red Baron onion seedlings however, are hard as nails. Mine survived the perma freeze that was last winter and didn't do bad at all even though they're not supposed to be over wintering ones.Comment
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Mine usually do. They are rather slow growing fellows and do not need much warmth even to germinate.
Next to a warm house wall will do for them.Comment
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Just pop them under a cloche they will be fine, in the modules until mid March when they can go straight in the soil. I used to pop an upturned clear storage container over them for the duration, with a brick on the top to stop it blowing away.
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I think the confused advice you've seen, TrixC is because onions are a major item on the show bench and the approach for those (various categories under 250 gm, over 250 gm, largest/heaviest etc) demands different techniques (partly depending on the dates of the shows). For showing early start dates and use of heat and even more important early in the season artificial light to ensure maximum growth ensures a good start. For standard table use you can safely ignore most of that and start later and leave to large part to the tender care of the Spring and Summer weather.
One story I've been told about onions and always repeat (not sure it's true but I like it!) is that onions are particular light sensitive and while daylight is increasing (i.e. from 21 December in N hemisphere) will maximise leaf growth and once they sense light is shortening (from 21 June) they bulk up food storage (i.e. the onion bulb) and so the more leaf they have developed earlier then the more successful the storage and the larger/heavier the onion! Makes sense!
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