Onion Seeds In Now?

[lynndan16]

Is it too early to put onion seeds in now.  I've been told that onion seed should be sown on boxing day but it seems a bit early to me.  What does everyone else do?

Lynn

By the way brilliant site.  Ive been having a good look through and picked up some great tips (must try the bacon recipe)

[lynndan16]

[terrace max]

Heelllloooo Lynn... :)

I think December sown onion seed is a must if you want to win the biggest onion prize at the local show - but any time up to the end of March is ok for cooks and non-competitive types...

I sow mine in January so I can clear time and space to sow everything else in spring...

[Derekthefox]

I haven't bought any seed yet, any recommended varieties for easy to grow decent size onions ? They must be suitable for keeping at least up until Christmas ...  These will be to supplement my sets ...

Derekthefox :D

[lynndan16]

I've got bedfordshire champion - Kelsae( not for show but love the taste) and I've found a packet of Buffalo that I bought last year and didn't use.

I didn't have much luck with sets last year,  a lot of them got infested with onion fly but the onions from seed weren't infected as much so decided to go fro seed this year.

Lynn

[Derekthefox]

Kelsae are a traditional show variety? So you reckon they are good on taste too?

[lynndan16]

Very mild and juicy  lovely on crusty bread with cheese.  They dont last but I think they are worth growing as a treat for me.
Hubby prefers a stronger onion in fact the stronger the better.
Lynn

[terrace max]

I'm trying to give up sets - expensive and a bit of a cheat. Derek - I will be sowing the following next month, all taste and store fine:  Ailsa Craig, Napoleon F1 & Red Baron

[redimp]

I was given a packet of Ailsa Craig by somebody yesterday and they will be my first foray into growing onions from seed.  Further, why are all onions advertised as being mild?  What do I do if I want a good strong cooker?

[terrace max]

Know what you mean Clanger. I think the old guard liked 'em mild.

[Derekthefox]

I like a good strong one for eating raw Redclanger ...

I will keep my eyes open for Ailsa Craig ...

[lynndan16]

I think its the smaller the onion the stronger the taste. but being a member of the  'old guard'  ;D I prefer my onions big and juicy lol.

[ruudbarb]

Due to various reasons, I fell badly behind with my growing on having raised my annual onion crop from seed sown in early March.  The results were much as expected and somewhat small in size.  I have enough seed left over so will be sowing again at around the same time, or maybe a week or so earlier, in plug trays from which I transplant direct when big and hardened off enough. 

The varieties are Marco, from Marshalls and which we found excellent keepers and cookers and Red Baron from several sources which is also an excellent cooker and keeper.  Both have good flavour.