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Onions from Seed

• Message 1. 

  Posted by annaw1 (U14287763) on Friday, 13th August 2010

  I've heard onions grown from seed are usually bigger than those grown from sets. Can anyone confirm this? Does anyone grow onions from seed? Do they do better than sets?
  
  Many thanks

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• Message 2

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  Posted by flower-bud (U14397996) on Friday, 13th August 2010

  I always grow onions from sets as I've read that if the ground is heavy (clay) they are easier to grow.

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• Message 3

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  Posted by elderman4 (U10843761) on Friday, 13th August 2010

  I can confirm that onions grown from seed do grow bigger than sets. I have tried both and the advantage of growing onions from seeed is that they are not only bigger on maturity but they also last longer in storage than sets.
  
  I grew Kelsae onions from seed and regularly got them to grow around 5 - 6 inches in diameter, and when they were ready for lifting in October, having been started from seed in February, I used to lift them very gently, treating them like glass. They were left to 'drain' up-side-down on the staging in the greenhouse until the roots could be twisted off and they would store in my loft until about end of May.
  The secret is not to bruise them in any way, then they will last.
  
  I had to give a lot of them away, as one would last us quite some time!!!!

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• Message 4

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  Posted by farmerSteve (U2644680) on Friday, 13th August 2010

  There is no real reason that onions grown from seed should be any bigger. This normally depends on fertility and watering
  Onions grown from seed are harder to look after in the early days as they are slow growing but they are cheaper than sets and they have no risk of introducing white rot to your garden
  On any soil type onions like to be planted early which can be difficult to achieve on heavy soil but you can grow them in modules to quite a size before planting out

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• Message 5

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  Posted by John L (U10162566) on Friday, 13th August 2010

  I grew my first onions this year. The sets didnt do too well, however my onions from seeds, first done in seed tray then transplanted when "grass" size are brilliant.

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  Posted by annaw1 (U14287763) on Saturday, 14th August 2010

  Thanks everyone. I'll give it a go next year.

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• Message 7

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  Posted by pjgolf (U2469936) on Saturday, 14th August 2010

  Sets every time for me. They are so much less trouble than growing from seed.
  
  Just my opinion 1
  
  PJ

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• Message 8

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  Posted by Barny (U13453961) on Sunday, 15th August 2010

  I used to but it is a lot more work,and you really need to sow the seed very early in the year,ideally January. I never got them to be as big as this though-
  
  The biggest I ever grew was 7lb 7oz.
  I only grow from sets these days as they are much more forgiving. I've tried most of them over the years but have found that the old Stuttgarter to be just as good as any on my ground. It is always a good idea in gardening to do little trials and find out what suits your ground and microclimate. Also unashamedly pick the brains of the good gardeners in your locality.
  
  
  I remember as a student in Newcastle getting some leek "pips" and taking them to to Wales.The gardeners I gave them to won prizes for leeks in Wales!
  
  PS. I see that I did grow bigger- but they did n't look as big as those in these photos.
  
  
  
  

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• Message 9

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  Posted by Playingtimeaddedon (U14150224) on Monday, 16th August 2010

  I have also found that they are less likely to run to seed.
  
  I sow mine idividually in cells in January, in a greenhouse, and plant out when there is no danger of frost.
  
  

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