Bulbs

Just as February is coming to an end, I'm now sowing onion seeds, along with sets to see what comes out best at harvest time.

Originally I always grew my onions (white and red) from seed, however, for ease I started growing onions from sets a few years ago, thus abandoning my seed sowing. So, I can't really compare which is the better method unless I grow onions by both methods at the same time. Aside from onions, I'm also growing shallots and garlic from sets and leeks (a member of the onion family) from seed.

Onions from seed

Back when I first moved into my current house I decided to grow onions, red and white, from seed. I originally purchased Bedfordshire Champion and Red Baron. The seeds were quick to germinate and I transplanted them from seeds trays to prepared beds in my back garden as I didn't have an allotment then. I found them surprisingly easy to grow and enjoyed harvesting them so much that the following year I also purchased Japanese onion seeds to grow in the summer months as I could harvest these a little earlier the following year to give me a succession of onions. Then, when I got my first allotment plot I gave up with seeds and grew from sets. The reason why I did this was because I thought that it would be easier to grow from sets.

Now I'm back to trying with seeds again. I've sown seeds in trays as before and left enough space between each seed, which is around 2cm. Later on, when these have germinated and grown on a little I will transplant them, leaving more of a gap. As of now nothing has germinated so I can't show you any photos of onion seedlings but will keep you updated when that does happen.

Onions from sets

This year I bought the following sets from Wilko:

White onions - Sturon
Red onions - sadly, there wasn't a variety name supplied

Both were priced at £1.50 each and as the deal is buy 3 for 2 I also bought shallots and garlic.

As I haven't yet prepared the soil on my allotment I decided to place the sets in individual small pots to get as many growing on as I can. I don't know if this could cause me problems though as I'm not sure whether moving them again will cause issues with growth (some plants really dislike being moved).

For the pots I just used potting compost for now. As they start to grow I'll transplant them to the allotment, so I'll need to prepare the soil! Onions like a good fertile soil to grow.

Pros and Cons of both

I've always found that when I've grown from seed onions tend not to really bolt (produce a flower and go to seed), whereas onions grown from sets can do. In the past I've cut off any flower stems growing on onions but I've not found the onion particularly good even after doing that.

If you're wanting to find an easy and quick way of growing onions then the best way probably is with sets as you can simply prepare your soil beds and put them in. Keep an eye on them though as birds quite like to pull them out (only to look underneath).

Either way, as I'm fond of using onions in cooking whatever I do get as a crop I'll be happy with!