Onion Growing 2022

I want to try growing onions again this year but I don't get much success with sets. I've never tried them from seeds, Is that the best way to grow them ? I just want ordinary ones though.

 

For me seed grown onions are more reliable than sets which I also find tend to bolt.
I just use those cell trays with a pinch of seed in each cell.
Sown in a greenhouse in early February, I don't have lights, they can stay in the trays until planting out in early April.
I plant them without breaking up each clump of plants.
Get medium sized onions, I don't really need big ones.

 

I have been itching to just sow some seed for a while - starting off seed trays means spring is on the way. I have managed to resist so far.....but have just learnt that onion seeds can be sown now!!!! So, it'll be onions this year then, off to garden centre this afternoon :-)

 

Thanks @pete and @JWK for your good advice

 

I sow indoors at end of February for my onions, then when germinated they go into the unheated greenhouse. I don't grow large/exhibition onions though, I would have started them now if so. They do get fleeced for a few weeks when planted out.

This year I have santero F1 for my main crop keeping onions, then Walla walla as a sweet onion, white Lisbon for spring onions and also zebrune shallot. All module multi sown

 

Walla Walla, not heard of that, have you grown it before, sweet onions are something I like, but not grown any for a while.

 

I've not, no. Got the seeds from premier seeds direct, will see how they do

 

I've noticed D.T. Brown are now selling Kelsae seed, now produced in the UK, but at a much higher price than before the Italian thunderstorm that nearly wiped out all the seed plants.

 

I tried them once John and indeed they were on the small size. I won't be growing them here in London (onion white rot). I will grow them in my garden in Lincolnshire but not for another year or two when I retire there.

 

That's all my onions sown now, 30 multisown cells of santero and hytec, 10 walla walla, 10 white lisbon and 10 zebrune shallot. Assuming i get good germination after thinning should have 350 onions in total.