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I planted some onion sets on the 14th april (so a week and a day ago) and I was wondering how long it might be till I see some signs of them doing anything....I accidentally hoofed one out of the soil with a peg this morning when taking the fleece off and it hadn't even started forming roots, so I hoofed up the one next to it and it had a tiny root forming... am I not watering them enough, or am I just being really impatient? They are in a 30cm deep raised bed and the top does get dry during the day but a cm or so below ground is still damp, but not that damp. Do I need to water them more often? I have been watering them a couple of times a day, but not in large amounts, just a sprinkle from a watering can.
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You are being a bit impatient. Hold on and leave them alone a bit and they will soon show green shoots.
Happy Gardening,
Shirley
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I thought that might be the case - I'm just so desperate to see some sign of life in the beds, other than the plug brocollis and peas and celery, it looks like a ghost town I'll try and leave the poor things alone 
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I planted mine out in the middle of February and they've only got about 4-5" of green shoot on them so far.
Patience is a virtue, one which I don't have either
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Snap! I was born 3 weeks early and have been in a hurry ever since according to my folks... my shallots took an age, but they did come.pjh75
We sow the seed, nature grows the seed, we eat the seed. (Neil, The Young Ones)
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Bit worried about the phrase " until they come above ground"? How deeply have you planted them?
My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)
Diversify & prosper
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Erm.....the packet said to 'plant bulbs between feb and may, 20cm apart and 6cm deep'.... so I did
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6cm deep!
where did you get them from?
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And what kind of onion sets are those???Whooops - now what are the dogs getting up to?Comment
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I always plant my onions with just the tip showing same with shallots and garlic and never had not problems or birds picking them out.Comment
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My shallots last year did absolutely nothing, so I dug the patch over and planted some pak choi over the winter.
I was digging those up in February and noticed the shallots have sprouted, so I've relocated them and they're all going great guns now
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Am wondering if they might have been talking about 'deep' as in depth between rows??Originally posted by PrideRavyn View PostErm.....the packet said to 'plant bulbs between feb and may, 20cm apart and 6cm deep'.... so I didAKA AngieComment
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I bought some v.inexpensive onion and shallot sets this year, and I just happened to read the packet which said plant 5 cm deep!! I promptly threw the packet away as it was clearly telling lies!! Sets should be planted with just the tip of their nose above ground - no deeper than that, they aren't like a flower bulb.Comment
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Oh bum! They were just cheapy numbers from Focus
On the front they say 'Onion Sets: Centurion' and on the back it says 'Allium cepa: mild flavour. Planting Instructions: Plant bulbs between Feb-May, 20cm apart and 6cm deep. Plant in full sun or partial shade. Will grow to a height of 30cm. Harvest after 4 months. 100 Pcs, Size 14/21.'
I have plenty left, I could dig up the other ones and then replant again how people suggest? I did think I had seen pictures of onion sets being part in and part out of the ground, but I thought the packet would know best
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I think I'd be inclined to lift each set as carefully as you can, trying not to disturb any soil around the root area, and replant as suggested above. I think, as yours haven't made much root development yet you'd be pretty safe to do this now.Comment
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