Onion Sets.

[Herbie]

When is the best time to start onion sets. Last year did them abit too early and a few bolted. Can they be started early and put in the greenhouse to be planted out later.If so when. Help!

[allaboutliverpool]

The ground is a little wet and cold with worse to follow.
I would be inclined to plant a few sets in peat in modules and leave them in a shetered area, preferably in a frame, cloche or cold greenhouse.
Like bulbs,they will grow in cold weather ,nd I am sure you have a few daffs pushing their shoots up.
When conditions are a little better they can be transpalnted.

[gojiberry]

I don't like to start sets off to early. I usually think about it March time and I tend to get better results by planting direct. I will warm the soil up for a couple of weeks before with a covering of weed fabric and cover with enviro mesh once they are planted.

Ian

[Two_Sheds]

I'll be putting mine in direct, in mid Feb

[pigletwillie]

Whilst I start off good shallots in modules before planting out, my onion sets go out direct in Late march to early April, depending upon the weather.

Looking back in my gardening diaries, it is very noticeable that those years where they were sown later, there have been fewer bolters. The size difference of those later planted onions is not really noticeable.

[GreenPete]

Bolting is most common in large onion sets, if you're getting them from a shop rather than getting them delivered try to chose a packet with small sets in (you also end up with more onions). The final onions won't be any different in size, I always plant the smaller ones first, then if I have spare I give away the ones that are more likely to bolt.
As for time of planting, any time from mid Feb onwards.

[Snadger]

....................... I always plant the smaller ones first, then if I have spare I give away the ones that are more likely to bolt.....................

I bet you are popular with the neighbours when all the onions sets you give away bolt!

[Herbie]

Thanks very much for the advice, will see how the weather pans out over the next few weeks and may put half in then and the rest a bit later. That gives me two chances

[bridget mc laughlin]

I normally don't plant mine out until mid-march cause it's too cold and wet over here