You will have seen in a previous post that the onions I am growing from seed this year are pretty pathetic! To be honest I only sowed them as they came courtesy of a free packet.
Our onions are generally grown using sets. This year's are still in the greenhouse having been planted in modules to start them off. I planted two batches the first lot on 18 February which have been really slow to start growing but I think at last things are on the move.
Shoots are now emerging from the sets and I am guessing that the roots are forming too as some are being pushed up out of the compost a little. Birds are often blamed for pulling onion sets up but it is also caused by the onion roots hitting either a stone or stubborn soil and being pushed up as the roots grow. In this case they have probably reached the bottom of the module as will soon need planting out.
The shallots are also starting to grow.
The second lot of sets planted in mid March are still stubbornly sulking and a third lots are waiting to be planted directly on the plot.
On the plot, the autumn planted onions look as though they will be a complete failure and are not really growing at all - they are not much further on than the ones in the greenhouse.
At least the garlic seems to be making more of an effort both in the greenhouse ...
... and on the plot.
On the plot, the autumn planted onions look as though they will be a complete failure and are not really growing at all - they are not much further on than the ones in the greenhouse.
At least the garlic seems to be making more of an effort both in the greenhouse ...
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My onions have only just started shooting as well Sue, and I have those planted in the Polytunnel. I've grown some from seed too because I also got free seed but I don't hold out much hope for them.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Sounds like we are going along the same path, Linda.
DeleteYour garlic is looking great, and nice to see the onions and shallots emerging.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see anything growing at the moment Liz.
DeleteMy onion sets are at the same stage as yours. I'm trying onions from seed again this year too. I've got some sets left over which I'm going to plant up in a container and use as spring onions.
ReplyDeleteOur spares will be planted direct in the ground close together to produce small onions, Jo
DeleteI've not put any sets in this year but Im going to container plant them as spring onions as well - I wish i'd got some garlic in - yours looks great Sue x
ReplyDeleteJust hope they produce some decent bulbs too, frg
DeleteOh, your garlic looks great! Mine disappeared without trace last year. No idea what happened to it. Waiting for things to warm up a bit here before I start my spring onions.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it rotted with all that rain, Paula,
DeleteMy shallots are still in suspended animation. We need more days like the last two have been, to get things going! Looks like we are going to be having some welcome rain this week too. My soil is very dry.
ReplyDeleteDry, Mark? Raised beds will dry out much quicker though and we have a clay soil. Ours isn't still a bit too claggy to dog and to weed - the soil is caked to weed roots.
DeleteI meant dig and weed :) stupid fingers have a mind of their own.
DeleteYep my onions are at about the same stage too - still waiting to plant some out at the plot.
ReplyDeleteCue expensive onions is the shops, Elaine.
DeleteI have started to plant onion too after seeing your pictures! ;)
ReplyDeleteHope that they grow faster than mine Malar.
DeleteI haven't grown onions in years but when I did I just stuffed the onions sets into the soil. Are they hard to start from seed?
ReplyDeleteThey haven't been hard to germinate CM but that's as far as we've got so far!
DeleteWe finally gave up on our autumn onions this weekend gone and replanted the patch with new sets. Pretty galling to have to write off an entire crop, but also good to get something with (hopefully) more chance of life in it's place!
ReplyDeleteI suppose we will prvbably end up doing the same, Lee. At least the greenhouse ones are now doing well.
DeleteMy garlic which I planted last year is looking healthy above ground too. I just hope it is as good below!!
ReplyDeleteYes that's what I am hoping too Tanya
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