Heyup. Just got red onion set from wilkos. When can i plant out? Can they survive a frost? Books i've read say early spring but nothing about frost.
Our Wilkos doesn't sell the more interesting stuff, so I bought my red baron in Homebase.
From what I have read late February/early March is about the right time, but I suppose if you protect them with something then all will go well...
I would say plant sets from mid-March to April (but I'm in Scotland) when the ground is neither frozen nor water-logged. When exactly depends on local conditions. BEst to ask other plot holders at your allotment or if you don't want to ask just look to see when they plant theirs.I believe you can plant up to 4 weeks earlier if they are protected by fleece but I have never done this myself so can't comment with any authority. ;)
I plant mine in mid march, in the midlands. They seem to grow ok.
I'm in the south and planted at the end of March last year. Our soil is quite wet and cold being clay, any earlier than that and I'd worry the ground might be too cold for growth and they might sit there and start to rot.
I am with the others Mid March ..I think if You plant them too early in the cold they are more likely to bolt (go to seed)...Jim
I started mine off in little pots last year and I had no problems.They all did well, as I just waited for the frost to finish before planting out.
Rosemary
why not setting them in modules and keep them under cover in a cold from or such like until the ground is more workable and warmer. plus it gives them chance to shoot without the birds pulling at them
pete
Went down to the allotment this afternoon and onions and garlic are growing apace. One or two of them have peen popped out of the soil by frost and really out to be put back in, however the soil was icky and sticky so I'll wait. The roots were clearly well anchored in soil.
Meantime Sturon and REd Baron are drumming their heels in my garden shed waiting for temperatures to rise so they too can be planted.
HAve to say that I also need to clear a bit more space, otherwise I don't know where they're all going. ::)
seeds now, sets in march
Why sell the buggers in January. Whats the best way to keep them till then?
Paper bag.
That's just what I was going to ask.
And does it apply to spuds as well? ???
Na! Put your seed (chitting) spuds in egg cartons in a cool place in light. (Not direct sun.)
I know someone's going to come back and say, 'Yes, but now I have lots of straggly sprouts'. OK, break 'em off if they come too early, the smaller ones will still come on. Look to ending up with 2 or 3 sprouts.
How much light are we talking about Ken?
Just thinking about the places I have to put them.
I keep my chitting potatoes in a cool bedroom. The onions too for that matter!!!
Try to get heat treated red baron sets, as they are less likely to bolt. Just ordered mine from Marshalls. Had very good results with them last year.
Good Evening
I picked up some onion & shallot sets from the Allotment Shop today, having read all the posts regarding depth and which tool (teaspoon!) to use, can any one tell me what condition the soil needs to be......recently dug over, compact like brassicas enjoy or what. Many thanks
Quite firm seems to be the general advice.