Ailsa Craig Onion Seed

[Curryandchips]

At the risk of boring everyone to death with yet another thread on onions, I am now the proud owner of a packet of Ailsa Craig seed. When I got back from the shops I looked at my packet rather proudly (don't we all?) to find that it (Kings) gives the planting date as January - April. These seems rather a massive spread for onion seed. I expected to see Jan - Feb. Does anyone know why this is so, or do I just ignore it?

[Curryandchips]

[sandersj89]

I would ignore, the reason for the spread of dates is the instructions are a catch all. Those further north might work to dates 4 to 6 weeks later thans those down on the south coast.

Jerry

[fat larry]

I was just searching for an onion thread: so you can plant seed now? Outdoors? or on the overflowing windowsill ....???

what about sets? tesco garden centres have red baron, sturon and stuttgart for 99p a set (in Abingdon, Oxfordshire). I bought a couple and wanna get em growing. It says spring on the (very generic) packets... ???

[sandersj89]

Sow seed in a cold frame or greenhouse. A little bottom heat helps germination but dont over do it.

I would not plant sets out just yet, March or April to be safer. Now the soil is too cold and damp and there is a high chance the sets will rot before they get going.

Jerry

[fat larry]

thanks. for some reason i chose some giant japanese onion seed, which will start to sow in an eggbox and transfer to my (hopefully portable) coldframes when they have made a start ... the portable coldframes are old wooden drawers from a chest of drawers, with bit of polythene on top:)

[Curryandchips]

Thank you from me as well.

[grawrc]

Here in Scotland I would not consider sowing outside until MArch-April, though I might sow earlier with cloche or fleece protection.