Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: bupster on January 22, 2008, 17:26:09

Title: Best onion sets for spring planting
Post by: bupster on January 22, 2008, 17:26:09

Any recommendations? I've yet to have much luck with spring plantings, so will be grateful for any advice.

Title: Re: Best onion sets for spring planting
Post by: VP on January 22, 2008, 17:31:32

Setton for whites and Red Baron for reds. Both produce good sized bulbs and are good keepers as well. They're usually at the cheaper end of the market too  ;D

Title: Re: Best onion sets for spring planting
Post by: gtm41658 on January 22, 2008, 17:58:52

I put Setton sets in the ground last spring...pulled them towards the end of October and still got a load in the greenhouse ready to eat...
Putting Setton in again this year!

Title: Re: Best onion sets for spring planting
Post by: Rob the rake on January 22, 2008, 18:48:59

Turbo have been my most successful onion. Great yield, slow to bolt and they'll store until June if dried properly.

Title: Re: Best onion sets for spring planting
Post by: redimp on January 22, 2008, 18:52:30

I have good experiences of Sturon - they are my must grow onion.  Red Barron are the red I grow - again good results.  I can only ever grow Stuttgarter - the Giant bit completely escapes me but I am having another go this year as my Dad has spare sets.

Title: Re: Best onion sets for spring planting
Post by: Rob the rake on January 22, 2008, 19:11:22

Quote from: redclanger on January 22, 2008, 18:52:30

I have good experiences of Sturon - they are my must grow onion.  Red Barron are the red I grow - again good results.  I can only ever grow Stuttgarter - the Giant bit completely escapes me but I am having another go this year as my Dad has spare sets.

If you want to maximise bulb size from your sets, it's useful to start them off in cells in the greenhouse as soon as you get them. Harden them off gradually and plant  them at your usual time. It gives you a great head start.

Title: Re: Best onion sets for spring planting
Post by: powerspade on January 22, 2008, 19:47:41

Sturon or Centurion I found very good

Title: Re: Best onion sets for spring planting
Post by: redimp on January 22, 2008, 19:55:54

Quote from: Rob the rake on January 22, 2008, 19:11:22

Quote from: redclanger on January 22, 2008, 18:52:30

I have good experiences of Sturon - they are my must grow onion.  Red Barron are the red I grow - again good results.  I can only ever grow Stuttgarter - the Giant bit completely escapes me but I am having another go this year as my Dad has spare sets.

If you want to maximise bulb size from your sets, it's useful to start them off in cells in the greenhouse as soon as you get them. Harden them off gradually and plant  them at your usual time. It gives you a great head start.

Cheers Rob - I will give that a go this year.

Title: Re: Best onion sets for spring planting
Post by: kt. on January 22, 2008, 21:48:50

Quote from: powerspade on January 22, 2008, 19:47:41

Sturon or Centurion I found very good

Totally agree.  Planted in March or April,  'Sturon' is a flavourfull variety which produces round, straw-coloured onions that mature in August. PLanted 4 inches apart produce avarage size onions, plant a little wider apart about 6 inches to get huge onions.

Everything you need to know:
http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_mini_project_august_1c_onion.asp