know your onions!

[gayle]

My red onion sets and purple skinned garlic bulbs have arrived in the post today. I did not think id ever get excited over onions sets.
Anyway, it says that you need to put fertlizer down before planting! is this right? or can i just put them in now and cross my fingers? ;D

[gayle]

[daisymay]

oooh wow - where do you buy them?? maybe mine will be waiting for  me when I get home!! 8) :)

can't help with the question though, will just steal the answers  ;D

[wardy]

Gayle   If you've no fertiliser then you have to hope for the best.  The fertiliser is usually put down a week or so before you plant your sets.  I use organic chicken manure pellets.  I didn't put mine down beforehand though as I didn't have any but I just sprinkled a FEW about between the sets when they began to bulb up.  You have to be careful with these pellets and granular fertilisers though that you don't use too much. 

They will still grow without fertiliser  :)

I agree it is exciting to get your sets  :)

[Derekthefox]

I add blood fish and bone, sprinkled over the ground before planting, then a top dressing later on, perhaps two months later. I also save all my bonfire ash to top dress the onions too. I am generally pleased with my results, but I know it is possible to get bigger ones ! I take my onions seriously, having cropped 800 this year, so I appreciate any good advice too!

I hope this helps, and good luck!

Derekthefox :D

[wardy]

I use my bonfire ash too.  They say it's good on fruit  :)

[gayle]

Daisymay this is where i got me onions and garlic from...
WWW.mammothonion.co.uk
i paid about 12 pounds for three bulbs of garlic and a bag of red onion sets . [dont know how many there is]
the garlics are large and both are in good condition. :)

[wardy]

I shall be getting my Japanese onion sets from the lotty association.  £3 a bag for approx 60 sets.  I harvested 57 so I think I did very well for my first attempt - they were from Kings  :)