Kitchen Garden Forum

I usually grow my overwintering onions from sets and they usually do quite well, although a few bolt. Just for a change, I thought I would try some from seed this year. Other than Senshyu Yellow, what varieties are there than anyone has had any success with? I garden on well-drained, sandy soil in the South East.

Hi Binky

I am going to do the same. I have a crate full of onions
that have bolted, so I pulled the others as well as they
were large enough just to ensure I had some for storage.

T & M have a 50% off seed sale on at the moment and
have some onion seed left with a pretty good description
of each so might be worth a look. I also got some shallot
seed in someone elses' sale.

I will still buy a few over wintering though as I like to
have something showing in the beds over winter although
I have so many leeks it will be a challenge finding a spot!

Westi

Thanks for the tip - I have ordered some Hi Keeper. In the description it says you can sow in either autumn or spring, so I'll give it a go.

Hi Binky

Mine have come but I was not very adventurous -
Alisa Craig, Red Baron & Banana Shallot. The other
one I already had was Rijnsburger which I have not
tried before but hey I expect it will taste like onion
So long as they don't bolt so readily I will be happy.

Westi

Hi Westi,
All the varieties you mention are either a Boxing Day job or for sowing from January onwards. I must say I like your selection and you will find Rijnsburger a superb Onion of good texture and taste which stores very well.
I thought I would mention this as the thread heading is Re: Overwintering onions from seed which your selection are not!
JB.

Johnboy - as well as Hi Keeper, I saw Toughball in Marshalls catalogue. Are they OK for autumn sowing? Also, how crucial is timing?

For a couple of years now I have successfully sown Ailsa Craig as an overwintering crop. I sow about the first week of August, planting out at the end of September.

FredFromOssett -Do you sow them in seed trays or modules, rather than straight into the ground?

Hi Fred,
So you have been very lucky for the last couple of years. Certainly Onions are more hardy than we give them credit for but it is not something that I would endorse. The saying 'if you never try you never succeed, applies in this case. I may even give it a try myself.
It is really nice to hear from people, like Fred, who have gone against popular advice and have actually brought it off. Brilliant!
JB.

I sow the seed in modules which I germinate and grow on in the coldframe, before planting out when a few inches high.