Allotment Stuff > The Basics

Planting onions

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bluecar:
Hello all.
I've covered a bed, overwinter, with leaves. They still about 1 cm deep. I've started onion sets in modules and now I'm looking to plant these in the bed by moving the leaves to one side. Will the existing leaves cause a problem or should I clear them first?
Cheers

Paulh:
I'd like to know how you get the leaves to stay there and not be blown away!

bluecar:
I put netting on top over winter and now they seem well bedded down. The netting lets in the rain, but stops the leaves blowing away.

Beersmith:
The leaves will help retain moisture and help suppress weeds so there are two positives for not clearing.  But I'd be concerned about creating conditions where fungal diseases could flourish by keeping the base of the onions too damp. 

I would clear an area around each onion, if not immediately, certainly later in summer as the bulbs get larger and need to ripen for long term storage.

bluecar:
Thanks. That makes sense. I'm guessing 8 to 10 cms should be okay - 4-5 cms radius around the bulb. Crunch day is this Saturday!

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