Grow Your Own Magazine

I planted some onion sets really late in the summer, that I'd found at the back of the shed having forgotten I'd bought them (I know, duhhh!) and thought well they have two choices ....

So, they sprouted nicely, but havent really grown (not surprising, being planted in July). My question is, without further rambling, should I pull them anyway and use them as very small onions, or will they stay okay in the ground over winter and grow to bigger onions next summer?

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Life may not be the party we hoped for but since we're here we might as well dance

If it was me, I'd do half and half Use the biggest ones now and leave the rest with my fingers crossed!

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Always look on the bright side of life
View my blog - http://chooksandveggies.blogspot.com/ updated November 1st 2008

If you need fresh "spring" onions then pick them and use them. Otherwise leave them to take their chances. You may not get large bulbs now though.

I have some shallot sized ones, too. I was picking them and have enjoyed them in the usual fashion (!), but the remainder I plan to put in again (they've been stored), as they're about the size of the sets. There are only 3, I think in my case, so hardly a huge loss if they don't work!!

If you leave them in, put a cloche over them as they won't have been bred to withstand too much cold. And be prepared for a few bolters as soon as the weather warms up in late spring!

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Sarah

“Tell me one last thing,” said Harry. “Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?”
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”

Thanks folks. I think I'll leave the really small ones in (there will be about 20 I would think), with a cloche over them, and see what happens. I did have a decent harvest from the sets planted earlier so am not in desparate need for onions yet - keep your fingers crossed for me for a very early crop hahaha!

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Life may not be the party we hoped for but since we're here we might as well dance