On 10 February we planted out first batch of onion sets in modules and these are now producing shoots.
The shallots were planted a little later on 23 February and as yet are showing no signs of shooting.
Martyn planted up more onion sets on 4 March and as we have so many sets decided to plant three sets to each module. He thinks that this will result in smaller onions but I'm not sure. I wonder whether the triangular arrangement of the planting will mean that the onions just push away from one another especially if we don't plant them too closely.
We still have sets left to plant closely directly on the plot as we have done previously to produce pickling sized onions.
The important thing is not to let the roots become pot bound before planting as this can produce a set back from which they don't seem to recover. Last year we planted out in mid April.
The important thing is not to let the roots become pot bound before planting as this can produce a set back from which they don't seem to recover. Last year we planted out in mid April.
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It all looks very impressive ! I'm sure it will be very good harvest of vegetables !
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend :)
I hope so Ela. Today - Sunday we have rain.
DeleteGood luck with the alliums. Mine are slowly growing upstairs.
ReplyDeleteBest place away from all that snow, Daphne,
DeleteI'm certainly going to try this method {later this week} with my left over sets from my November planting. They seem fine, and what have I got to lose? Also, it has heartened me, for now I know they are supposed to have green shoots at an early stage ~ I thought mine had bolted or something! Everything is looking good with you!
ReplyDeleteShooting is fine Deb
DeleteI think you might be right with the triangular arrangement, it will be interesting to see what happens. Mine aren't shooting yet, but they were only planted last week.
ReplyDeleteWe will have to wait and see, Jo
DeleteThe "clump" method of planting seems to work well with many things, so I expect your onions will be fine (as long as the Rust doesn't re-appear).
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping that it works for onions, Mark
DeleteLots of onions!
ReplyDeleteI think it's quite useful to have a mix of sizes for when you only want a little bit of onion. If you cut one in half then the left over piece makes everything in the fridge smell of onion.
We usually end up with various sizes Patsy although this year we had more small than anything.
DeleteThat's a fair amount of onions Sue - with green shoots already, they are raring to get going!
ReplyDeleteThey are indeed Angie
DeleteOh it's always exciting to see green shoots Sue. I planted my shallots on 28th February so they will be a few days behind yours. It's good that the RHS have more than likely identified the reason behind last year's onion problems. Fingers crossed that it was a one off.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the conditions helped last year, Anna - we had blight early too.
DeleteA rust infection? I hadn't heard of onions being attacked before. I do hope all is well this year, have you had to treat the ground or anything? Oh my....look at all those onions....sighs...xxx
ReplyDeleteWe haven't treated anything, Din a- as with most things for the amateur gardener there is no treatment, It seems that this is a new study that the RHS took part in.
DeleteYes, let's hope there are no problems this year. I'll be interested to see how the groups of three onions do.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed, CJ and stay tuned for results,
DeleteI cannot believe how much you are still harvesting and that you are already planting! Egads, I'm still under snow and don't plan on getting in the greenhouse until April 1. Everything looks great.
ReplyDeleteVery little of anything else will be planted outside until next month, Bonnie
DeleteI hope your onion and shallot do well this year!
ReplyDeleteSo do I Malar,
DeleteQuite a few on the allotments now grow their onions (and leeks) in groups (as a space saving mechanism) and they say they get pretty much the same sized onions as in single plantings. Apparently, onions don't seem to mind a bit of togetherness.
ReplyDeleteIt's more a case of saving space in the greenhouse before planting out for us SandD
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