When to plant onion sets

We have just finished using last years onions and I have my onion sets ready for planting but can I plant them now or wait a bit longer.

 

It’s been a while since I grew them, but from memory I think it was around mid March. Probably best to wait for a bit anyway, with the upcoming cold spell.

 

Wait a while Paul....at least until the cold spell is over.
You can start them off indoors in modules or under a cloche.
I am still using last year's onions too

 

I started some off in the greenhouse to annoy Freddy to get an early start for the show.



Got some ground covered and warming up before planting out as soon as I can put me bare bum on it without going

 

Not at the moment but anytime up till the end of April would be good, even early May in cold springs, things have a way of catching up.

 

I planted some of the Japanese winter onions last November . Made it through the cold in heavy shade.
Treat them mean, keep them kean.

 

I have planted some onion sets today - 150 of them! Never grown onions before so I put them in to the depth of the bulb but then I brushed the soil over the top of them - should I have left the tops sticking out? Will they be ok as they are or will I have to go round and uncover them all?

 

@Dorndorf Depends on whether or not they are autumn planting sets or not and where you are in the country. I would have thought start of September would be plenty early enough.
I plant my spring sets in in about March.

 

I've just put 50 in. They are autumn prepared sets. (£2 for 50 at Wilco's)
It's good to put them level with the ground because otherwise birds will peck the tops and pull them out.
They mistake them for worms.
The main problem to watch for is water logging. Too much water will cause them to rot.
I've dug a little trench on the downward slope just below mine to allow heavy rain to soak away.
Both you and i may be a tad early because you don't really want the sets shooting now... The frosts could damage them. The idea is for good root growth only, not top shoots.
My 'second wave' will go in during October for that reason.
Spring sets are generally safer (and they store for longer so I'm told)

 

I planted 36 yesterday (12 to a barrel) and it said to put them in the sunshine. I also planted two barrels with garlic (8 cloves in one and 7 cloves in the other). I’m now thinking I have planted too early with the mini heatwave forecast for next week (29 degrees feels like 32 degrees). Seems to me that leaving them in the sunshine may bring on top growth.

Should I move the barrels into the shade?
Thanks.
Tink

 

I'd guess that moving them won't make a great deal of difference.
They'll do what they're gonna do!
The advantage you'll have with barrels is that if they do put on top growth, you'll be able to place a bit of hort' fleece over them on any hard frosty nights.
Another plus is that there will be good drainage too in those containers.
Keep us informed tink with their performance... I for one will be interested. (Thinking on i might just plant some in a barrel in a week or two's time)

 

My garlic is usually 3 or 4 inches high before it stops growing for winter.

Never had problems with frost, it's pretty hardy.
I assume over wintering onions would be the same.
I used to grow Japanese over wintering onions from seed, they grow to about spring onion size before stopping for winter.

 

We do have mild winters now, but extreme weather 'could' do them harm, you've only gotta google it..
My sets are red 'electric' one's.
I've got 'Shakespeares' on order from T&M to plant out soon.
I'll put some in a barrel as well as in the ground.
I like having a few options to give myself more insurance.
And it's a winter interest too when not much is going on.

 

There is always that chance of an arctic winter, if you believe the climate change bunch that aint never going to happen anymore, or they say it's going to be more likely.
Nothing like covering all your options.

Lets just say, since about 2009, and before that 1987 and before that 1963, I cant remember a winter harsh enough down here to worry onions or garlic.

 

That's music to my ears because we use onions in virtually every meal.. A fair bit of garlic too!
Slight diversion here Pete, but years ago I'd had the most superb ceanothus growing for several years.
It was the pride of my shrubbery but then one winter we had a few harsh frosts.
That spring my bush was dead.
Now i know that they can be tender and they originate from warmer climes.
But I'm a cautious gardener now (i avoid risk more than some)
I love my plants, and i like good home grown veg. So whilst I'm sure you are right I'm covering all options and safety measures that i can.
I can see myself out there applying a protective mulch on boxing day lol.