Topic: Onions and garlic

[viv]

I'm planning on growing these for the first time so when should I start looking for them to plant?  I'm looking at doing onion sets rather than seed.

[tim]

Look at Marshall's Seeds - Autumn & Spring planting for both. = Tim

[Grant]

You can planr garlic in the Autumn. You can get bigger bulbs this way.  Make sure it is an area that does not get water logged.

[Bannerdown]

Garlic - Fermidor for Autumn planting, protect from frost and you generally get bigger onions from seed and seem to be less likely to bolt.  Plant on Christmas day morning! Cheers, Tony.

[derbex]

Don't forget shallots.

Jeremy

[viv]

Thanks all - so presumably these should be in my local garden centre any time then?

[budgiebreeder]

They usually have them in Wilkos ,same quality but much cheaper if you have a Wilkos nearby that is.

[tim]

Don't forget that autumn planted onions will not store beyond September-December, depending upon variety.
Don't worry if you can't get garlic in until the new year - ours went in in mid-Feb & is 2.5 inches across.

Your later message - Suttons/Dobies are excellent - I use M for onions because of their heat-treated sets. = Tim

[viv]

I've got a Suttons catalogue at home, are they just as good?  Hoping to do spuds carrots and beans next year also, but I have to do them in containers.  Any recommended varieties (the garlic can go in the garden to keep pests at bay)

[tim]

Just added 1/2 of the 1/3 of our onions remaining after white rot. Sad, isn't it - normally three 5' ropes. = Tim