I got a net of red baron onion sets (I think that's what they're called? Baby onions basically) today, and I'm looking for a bit of advice on when is best to plant them? The instructions just say early spring, does that mean I could plant them out now? Any help would be greatly appreciated
Planted mine on Sunday. Make sure ground is free of perennial weeds, rake over lightly and press into the soil around 6 inches apart. You can bury them but the birds pull them up anyway.
Little pointy side up, and flattish hairy side (roots) down.
After a week or two replant any the birds have moved. Mine did very well last year and have given some nice large sweet onions which seem to be keeping quite well
I notice you're in Moray... That changes matters a bit. Red onions in particular don't like to get frosted - it makes them "bolt" (flower and set seed). Yellow onions can go out a bit earlier, but reds shouldn't really go out until the risk of frost has passed.
This year I'm starting all my onion sets in module trays in the greenhouse - gets them started a bit early and means they have good roots before they go out, so they're less easy for the birds to pull up. At least, that's the theory...
gregorach wrote:I notice you're in Moray... That changes matters a bit. Red onions in particular don't like to get frosted - it makes them "bolt" (flower and set seed). Yellow onions can go out a bit earlier, but reds shouldn't really go out until the risk of frost has passed.
This year I'm starting all my onion sets in module trays in the greenhouse - gets them started a bit early and means they have good roots before they go out, so they're less easy for the birds to pull up. At least, that's the theory...
Wow thats interesting, though slightly annoying as I planted mine on the weekend. Do you think some fleece over the top might help
Only thing to add, I find it easier to use a dibber, rather than just trying to push the sets in when there is a tendency to 'bruise' the sets. Also you can plant them a little deeper, which causes no harm, but helps prevent the birds pulling them out.
