Has anyone got any recommdations for a good overwintering onion and any tips for growing them?
Do you grow them from sets or seed?
I grew Radar and they are ripening to be very nice onions. I just bunged them in and gae them some ash everyonce in a while. They are a good size too.
My overwintering onions provide two uses.
1 A stopgap between the end of the maincrop and the start of the next crop in the Autumn.
2 A supply of red onions for Summer salad use.
In view of this, I find that locally available sets are perfectly adequate for my use.
Hi jelly, :D
Second the recommendation for radar, easy to grow ,no problems ,no bolting, lasted well. This year I grew japanese senshui, they were ok ,but every one bolted, this only mean`t having to remove the central shoot, they carried on growing after this & have got to a good size (tennis ball) . One or too have gone soft & slimy >:( & consequently got thrown away, but hey 69p for 50 from wilko`s ,am i complaining 8).
As for growing tips, don`t just push the bulbs in the ground this can affect the roots, make a small hole with a trowel or similar ,then place the bulb into the hole & bring the soil in around it, almost covering it. It can also pay to remove the dry top shoot or the birds may come along & tug it out. Space them 6 inches apart, rows 12 inches. In the spring you can give them a high nitrogen feed (hoof & horn) I will not be putting mine in until mid September.
Adrian.
Third for Radar! ;D I have tried the red onions in the past, Red Baron I believe is the variety, but they always bolted immediately! I grow from sets to try and have a head start on the white rot. Ordered mine already for planting this autumn! ;D
I sent for Senshyu from King's and they have done really well from sets with only a few gone to seed. Definitely going to try again as they have been at Grapefruit size and been delicious. Really filled the gap!