Onion and shallot advice please

[SMP1704]

 I'm going to give growing onions from seed a go - only ever started with sets.  Should I start them in modules now in the poly?

I had a brilliant shallot harvest this year - can I use these bulbs for my new crop and I should I get these in now or wait till March?

Any other tips also welcome :D

[SMP1704]

[pigeonseed]

I know for shallots, yes you can keep back nice big healthy ones and plant them, but wait till March

But I've never grown onion from seed, so I'll leave that to more experienced onion-growers to answer...

[Vortex]

I sow my onions in a propagator in the greenhouse in mid jan, then prick out into modules when they reach matchstick thickness (about the size of a pencil). As to shallots, yes you can use the bulbs from last year but I plant mine in mid-February.

[chriscross1966]

I'd be getting the onion seed going ASAP... mine go in at the weekend (gotta sort out the power feed to the GH again) They'll need to have a bit of heat to start, but can then go in an unheated GH/tunnel. I'd not start shallots just now cos the ground is frozen... you could start them in pots (4" or soi) under cover, harden off as soon as the roots hit the bottom of the pot then plant out in February/early March.... Or just put them in the ground under a cloche in March)...

chrisc

[Mr Smith]

Having just constructed an upright coldframe I hope to grow all my own plants this year, already I'm prepared for my onion seeds to sow in the next couple of weeks, :)