Buying Onion Sets

[Barnowl]

The search facility doesn't seem to be working so I'll ask here..does anyone know of a good source of onion sets? Also what varieties do you recommend?

[Barnowl]

[Leonnie]

I buy from our local garden centre, red baron and sturton are the ones I buy. :)

[Tee Gee]

I think if you are growing setts they are all much of a muchness.

I grow selected 'Sturon' a bit dearer but well worth the extra.

Doubt if you will get selected stock from GC's I get mine mail order!

[tim]

Always used Marshalls Fen Globe - when I didn't have the rot!

[cambourne7]

in the past i have bought from T&M but i decided to buy from wollies this year.

also got a bag of homebase onions from freecycle ( bougt 2 much! )

Onion seed i get where i can and if its cheap

i.e. Alan Roman 50pence at potato day for some, and this morning wilco for 39 pence!

[Leonnie]

I think if you are growing setts they are all much of a muchness.

I grow selected 'Sturon' a bit dearer but well worth the extra.

Doubt if you will get selected stock from GC's I get mine mail order!

Tee Gee what is Selected stock, how is it better than that supplied in a bag at the GC? :)

[Tee Gee]

They are basically the biggest in the bunch.

Prior to making up the nets that are available generally all the sets are put through a mesh that allows the smaller ones to fall through (the ones for the GC's) the bigger ones remain on top of the grid and these are sold as selected stock.

As far as quality is concerned these usually give onions a bit bigger than those from the general stock.

Plus they seem to establish quicker.

The same is done with potatoes the ones that fall through the grid are saved for seed the bigger ones for eating (unless seed is in short supply)

[Leonnie]

Thanks for that explanation Tee Gee, I didn't know that :). I've always got a nice size onion from the sets I buy but nothing huge.

[Barnowl]

Thanks for all the advice - plenty to ponder on.  :)