[davidh]

I have a bag of onion sets - Red Baron. I was going to put them straight into the plot now but I read that it's best to plant them into modular trays and then bring them on in the cold frame before planting them out !
Anyone have any trusted methods for growing these lovely onions in Ireland ?

David

[michael brenock]

the instructions you read were probably in relation to Red Baron onion seed rather than for sets. Sets can be planted directly into the ground this month and no hardening off needed. if seed is used then a higher initial temperature and earlier sowing is required hence the hardening off period.
michael brenock horticultural advisor(retired)

[davidh]

[barremic]

Hi David

I had seen that in a magazine too, just after i had popped half of my onions in to large egg cardboards, with a tiny bit of soil in the bottom.

I found last year i didnt get a great onion crop, but the year before i put them in the egg cartons (both sides) and they seemed to get going good before i put them in the ground a few weeks later.

I put my onion sets in to the egg carton about 10 days ago, and after 3 days there were new roots forming. with the weather being so cold still and the birds are rummaging in the garden a lot, i thought it would give me an extra few weeks before i had to plant them out.

I am trying half this way, and then i will put the other half of the sets down when the weather clears a bit, hopefully in a few weeks.

hope this helps

[michael brenock]

david
i read the link and yes it is definitely sets. it is probably an advantage to plant into modules as shown but it is laborious and expensive. the results would give bigger and earlier onions than done in the conventional way.it is worthwhile trying part of the crop this way.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

[James Kilkelly]

davidh, I've grown them both ways and to be honest I would always now opt for planting them straight out into the garden.
Sure you might get a lift in growth with trays, but I think when something can fend for itself outdoors, then outdoors it will go.
I have enough other veg for babying without adding one more.

The typical way to do either.....
Plant out the single bulbs at the end of March in drills 1 in. (25mm) deep and 1 ft. (30cm) apart. Space the bulbs in the drills about 6 in. (15cm) apart then cover.

You can sow sets in January or February under cover at a temperature of 50-59 F. (10-15 degrees C.) into onion modules. These are shallow trays with individual compartments; an indentation is made in each compartment and the seed sown into these. Sowing sets this way will allow the onions to be planted out in April.

Have a look at one of the set planting posts from last season.......... Planting sets.

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[davidh]

Michael and James,

Thanks for the very helpful advice !

David