deep onions

[pieman]

Hi all

Out to the allotment on Sunday afternoon and planted 80 onion sets (Sturon). The packet showed a little diagram describing planting depth and distance - the latter said 10cm, but there was nothing against the depth arrow. Thinking there'd been a mis-print, I ended up pushing a finger's depth into the soil to plant each set, leaving them about an inch or so below the surface.

On returning home (and obviously too late) I got out one of the books and it said how onions should be planted poking out of the surface! Is this likely to be a major problem? Would it be worth the hassle of digging them all up again?

Any thoughts appreciated

David

[pieman]

[Robert_Brenchley]

It's no problem at all. I dib a small hole, drop the onion in, and then cover them with dead leaves or grass cuttings. They do fine.

[jesssands]

Whats the idea of leaves/grass clippins plz?

This could be a plan..... last year, I put them in, spaced all out nice. Next doors cats came and dug it all up, they just got poked back in any old how! I was thinking bout putting some mesh or net on them, but this might work just as good.

[littlebabybird]

it will be no problem, if we leave ours poking out the birds pull them all out

lbb

[kt.]

I plant mine so the tip is at, or just below the surface.  Occassionally some have been a little deeper but all have been fine.

[terrier]

My belief is that if the onions are deep in the soil, they cannot expand as well so I plant in small mounds. I plant just below the surface and cover with net so the birds can't see them of get at them, then as they grow, the soil falls away. The only problem then is how do I deter the MOLES!!!

[Plot69]

The only problem then is how do I deter the MOLES!!!

I find dynamite works and also serves to aerate the soil.

Seriously though, I plant my sets to roughly 2/3 their depth and then cover them with nets to deter birds until they're rooted. I still find the odd one or two pulled up and dragged feet from where they're supposed to so I guess I've got the odd mouse or two as well.

[pieman]

Thanks everyone. Well it certainly doesn't sound worth digging them up again - I'll let you know how it goes!

D

[beckydore]

I was thinking about planting my onion sets this week but I have HEARD (from someone in the sauna at the gym - no idea how reliable they are) that we are expecting snow next week.
Are we expecting snow?
Should I put the onions in anyway?

I'm also planning on sowing seeds in the utility but that won't really be affected.

[saddad]

Haven't checked the forecast for a couple of days but snow at the start of March was on the cards...  :-X

[Plot69]

I planted all my shallots today and was promptly told by the old boy next to me I was 3 months too late.

So I'd say any snow we get now won't be anywhere near as bad as we've already had (Famous last words) and won't affect them.

Planted all  my onion sets on the 23rd Feb last year and had a great crop... Apart from the reds.

[cornykev]

My onions are going in this weekend, even though a cold snap has been promised. Shallots: quote: February, plant if ground is workable.   March, plant if you didn't get them in last month. April, plant if not done already. Pieman, if there in there in but as they grow and the soil drys I personally would run my finger around the top of the onion to introduce it  to the sun.  8)     ;D ;D ;D