Onion Growing 2024

The beets were yes, but the onions got them in the peak of summer. Just bad luck?

 

Try to attract a robin, disturb a patch of soil and leave a fork there too. Repeat daily.A few dried mealworms left as 'bait'......

 

Most of my onions have started growing but the Ishikura have not yet. Probably old seed I guess. I may sow some more of the white Lisbon to compensate

 

Sets are easier than growing from seed, and unless the site is in total shade they should be reasonable, although onions do like a sunny spot really.

I usually plant them about 9ins apart, just below the surface, in late march or early april depending on the weather, I sometimes give them a sprinkling of growmore in June on a wet day, if not water it in.

I only grow for the kitchen so dont mess around too much, probably the worst thing is not letting the weeds get a hold as they dont need the competition and will suffer if they get overgrown.

If you get any spuds coming up I'd whip them out, they will out compete the onions.

 

Courgettes went bananas. must admit I prefer bananas.

 

I tend to grow mostly red onions and found that sets for reds tended to bolt, even the heat treatment didn't stop that. I used to grow sets and still grow shallots from sets, but prefer the wider choice of growing onions from seed. They do seem hungry plants and agree Pete about giving them a boost mid season.

 

This is really strange, as I moved on from sets some years ago due to bolting and started growing from seed, being I dont want too many these days and some lack of interest on my part, too many plants to cope with, I went back to sets about 5 yrs ago and red barron as usual.
I find I dont get them bolting now like they did a few years ago.
I often think differing weather conditions are behind bolting, especially wet summers.

Its been pretty dry the last few years and @Fat Controller I never water mine, or only very rarely, if I do its a really deep soaking by laying the hose on the ground and just letting it run out, no overhead spraying.

 

Just saying dont water too frequently, but when you do, flood it.
probably best advise for most things, but onions are not big leafy plants like courgettes or runner beans that soak up water like a sponge.