Onions

[Dahlia]

Hi, I have been having great problems with my onions this last couple of years. Problem. They just don't grow!! Loads of leaf and look very healthy, but when I lift them, I'm lucky if they have grown a half inch  Am I doing something wrong? This last lot I planted in November, same time as the garlic and looking at them, they are small :( and have started to flower! My husband read today that I should snap off the flower heads, so that's been done. I just can't think of anything else to do. Can anyone suggest anything, please?

[Dahlia]

[gavinjconway]

My overwintered onions are a bit bigger than my thumb now - some bit smaller than golf ball size. They are ideal for eating as green onions. 

Onions send up a flower stalk if stressed... no food, dry (and maybe too wet - I think). Some will and some wont.. Use the flowering ones first..
 

[gavinjconway]

My overwintered onions are a bit bigger than my thumb now - some bit smaller than golf ball size. They are ideal for eating as green onions. 

Onions send up a flower stalk if stressed... no food, dry (and maybe too wet - I think). Some will and some wont.. Use the flowering ones first..

I assume you planted sets? November is probably a bit late for overwintering onions as they need some summer/autumn time to develop roots and start growing. Did you feed the bed when you prepared it?  What variety of onions are they?
 

[Dahlia]

Hi gavinjconway,
The bed was well composted before planting. I planted later as we live in central France. The winter was a bit wet and the since Feb (until last week) it's been rather hot. I've never had any luck with my onions apart from the very first one's I planted seven years ago. I've had problems in the past, but as soon as people realise where we live they just don't want to know :(

[gavinjconway]

Central France... that will be ideal for onions... maybe its just been too dry as you say its been hot since feb. What variety were they?