Hi Emily. My advice would be to start with a few easy crops - courgettes/zucchini, chard, beans, potatoes, salad leaves - and build your confidence and the area you are growing in gradually, bit by bit. Vegetable gardening is a constant education - you never stop learning!
I grow onions from seeds as well as starts, and am really looking forward to growing new varieties this spring. Thank you for your valuable information; I always learn something from your videos!
I started my first onion with a store bought onion that was growing in my fridge. After some new strong roots formed in water, I planted it in soil. Its been growing very well and I am growing it indoors :). Thanks for posting this video. I will try seeds next time.
I grow from seed - both Autumn sown (well seed needs to be sown between 18th and 22nd August) so Summer sown and Autumn planted - I use the variety "Augusta" which is a yellow skinned medium sized onion that grows to a good size (conditions permitting) and also keeps better than most Summer sown/Autumn planted varieties. Then come early January I sow my maincrop onions which consist of F1 Hybrid Marco, Red Baron and large mild Kelsae. These are raised indoors in a heated conservatory and planted out when weather looks to be warming up in late March to early April (I am on South Coast of England). Then keeping the plants weed free and watered in dry weather until they start to flop over - to me the ripeness test is to gently squeeze the neck of the onion - if it is firm (flopped over or not) - leave it a bit longer. I get good results and have not had to resort to shop bought onions for a very long time. Details:- I use deep seed trays and sow way more seed than I require (new seed each year) so I sow all I have and select the the strongest plants. I use Levington M2 compost - this is Peat based (sorry) but alternatives are just inferior. So with a good indoor start and good care I end up with about 250 onions of storable quality - some bolt or wither - some remain dwarf or split - many get used as scallions to fill the gap between last stored onion and next full sized summer crop onions in late June. Marco and Red Baron tend to be between 3" and 5" in diameter - Kelsae are large mild onions from 4" tp 8" but only keep a few months. Is it worth growing your own onions - well I think so - one needs to get varieties that suit your soil and kitchen requirements and you need to hone your growing method to maximise success - when all these come together - Bingo, success and happiness - if there is a poor season where even the most accomplished grower has failed - then you feel the misery of hours of toil lost and hope and expectation dashed - but if you are like me you will forget the failure and be planning success for next year. Even a bad year will provide some home grown produce - I have never experienced worse than a reduced harvest - never complete loss - so do not be disheartened - as a poor year just increases the value of the crop you have been able to salvage and the resultant meals just that little bit more special. Remember:- Nothing to lose - wonderful Onions to gain ;-) JNT
Sown my first set of Red Baron seeds in plug trays for this year, here's to hoping I can pull it off. As a novice gardener these videos are invaluable.
Learn how to seed your crops and grow some especially for seeding and you never buy seeds again and my broad bean seed are over 100 yesrs old and my great grandfather started them.
I planted white onion sets this spring near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and experienced exceptional results. As a novice gardener (first year) I was lacking in knowledge regarding preservation and storage... thank you for all your suggestions and tips!
Thanks for all your videos. They are a great help for novice allotment holders like myself. I'm trying to grow onions this year, fingers crossed. So, your advice is appreciated and invaluable. Thanks Kim X
I have had only success when I take an onion, cut the root area about a 1/2 inch up and then plant that cutting in soil. 7 days later, voila...it grows! I am so loving planting onions, so easy to grow
I've just harvested my first crop, Long Red Florence. Even with this back and forth weather, they did reasonably well. I'm absolutely chuffed! I sowed into punnets and then transplanted straight into the beds. We're having a rather dry summer this year in the sub-tropics which made for better onions. I'm looking forward to the next sowing.
Thanks, Ben. Good information. I live in Puget Sound area and start my onions from seed in a plastic clamshell container from the grocery store. I use a variety of long day onions. I transplant seedlings in March-April.
Hello From North Florida. I grew onions this year and they are doing wonderful. But I'm very anxious to harvest them and know I should wait. This was a very helpful video. Short and to the point . I'm going to check out more of your videos. GOOD JOB!!
I've planted in late autumn in previous years and lost a lot of sets over winter. Some of my best onions were planted as sets in spring or even better when grown from seed. I've also used seedlings purchased locally and they were show onions and definitely the best result for me last year. I plant garlic in autumn and that seems to do absolutely fine over winter, although I do plant spring varieties as well.
i dont even like onions but my mrs does.. new green fingers here n learning something new every day im starting from seed. i made a 10x4 raised bed last autumn and planted some good non bleached garlick mulched and covered with straw they came up in no time and sitting dormant still. thanks i learnt a lot today
I hope you have a great growing season. It's great to be getting started on growing your own food. I hope it goes well for you this year. You never stop learning!
Theres another amazing British RUclipsr who has onion braiding tutorials. Castle Hill Gardens. I love these growing guides. They take up a whole season to make, so thank you for putting it together.
Onions are a bi-annual plant, and starting from seed usually avoids the bolting aspect, which is more prevalent with sets, which are small onions in their first year of growth. I always plant from seed into a pot and let them grow until anywhere around 4" to 6" in height, then wash all the soil from the roots and separate and plant individually 6" apart in rows. I start sowing in February in a polytunnel and I live in Sweden, South of Stockholm and around the same latitude as the Orkneys and Shetland so it's still very cold and the ground is frozen up here, but I get great harvests every year.
@@GrowVeg Our techniques are similar, like a lot of the older gardeners on here, I started out back in1964 at 15 double trenching and using cow dung in the winter, and to be honest the food did taste better back then. Today it's easier with propagators to get seedlings started and then once sprouted you don't really need the heat as you know anything in the onion family are pretty cold hardy. I find onions, tomatoes and potatoes are the most rewarding, to grow every year, but I do have an expansive range, even down to Tomatillos and Chillies, corn in the cob, and whatever the stores don't stock. "Look after the soil", my old gardener used to say, "and the plants will look after themselves." I like and watch your content, love your enthusiasm and down to earth approach another youtuber, Charles Dowding has a nice uncomplicated approach like yourself. Up here in Sweden the root vegetables need to be harvested quicker due to the ground being frozen which is sad when you want those Parsnips for Christmas, but Onions, Garlic, chives, they do last well into the following year.
Onions are super easy to grow, THANKS for your video! I start my onion seeds in a container, not cells and I put them on a hot pad. I trim the tops to maintain about 3" until they are ready to put in the ground. My starts are pretty dense, when time to put in the ground I use every start. I don't think the roots are that sensitive. I untangle them and put them in the ground about 4 inches apart.
GrowVeg I let one onion go to seed and I save them for the next year. I find that those seeds that are getting adapted to my specific environment do even better than store bought seeds. Besides Marigolds, onion seeds are super easy to harvest.
It's surprising how hardy onion seedlings are - as you say they don't seem to mind being separated at all, I've heard the roots can even completely dry out and the seedling will recover but I've never tested it... I just dunk the whole container into water to soften the soil and separate them out before shallow planting and it works 100% of the time.
Nice job!! I’ve tried all three ways and seeds are definitely the way to go for me in upstate New York. I Sow them in my garage under lights in February, keep them trimmed to around 5” and plant in raised beds in spring.
Great video - very straight forward. I’ve sown direct, planted sets and started some in modules this year (Southern Hemisphere). Planning on a big onion harvest. 😆 But really just want to see what works best.
I grow Texas white sweet onions in 1 dedicated planter from transplants where nothing else will grow except scallops. I will then re-transplant as I pick larger bulbs from the border edges around bell pepper planter boxes where they bulb. In another border I harvest just tops to use in Cajun cooking such as gumbo. This planter border is allowed to re-grow the tops & never bulbs. Have grown onions this way for over 35 years & as I use up all my starter planter box which is 3 feet x 12 feet, I will add a mulch created from lawn grass cuttings, dried tree leaves, potato skins, shrimp hulls which have been run through the mower & tilled into the ground to a depth of 6 inches. From there I immediately add new transplants at any time of the year in any season. Case in point it will be June 1st here in Louisiana & will be starting a new planter. Reason nothing else will grow in this planter is it receives only 4 hours morning sunlight & is next to the backside of the house although when I have chosen to grow scallops, they took twice as long but produced massive & hardy
I have wanted to try growing onions for ages. Only got a tiny veg patch, so intend to plant my seedlings in the gaps between runner bean wig wams. Onion seed already in, very excited.
Have a care with that. Beans and onions tend to inhibit each other. Beans tend not to set pods, and onions tend not to bulb if they are too close to each other.
I've had better success with sets, versus seeds. The seeds i've planted get to growing, then a majority of them seem to push themselves up out of the soil and I find them laying on their sides. If I catch them right away they re-plant with no problem, but i don't have the same problem with sets and bolting has not been an issue for me. We are still eating the red onions I pickled from last season's crop, and this year I planted even more. Cheers, Ben!
I've started onions all three ways, plants are the easiest if you don't get your seeds started early enough. Did sets last year, they just don't get real big or store as well. Getting down into my planting shed this week to start onions plus my cole crops here in Missouri.
I’m going to try growing onions from seed next year. I’ve had only moderate success with over wintering sets which often bolt. I have been told that the best time to sow onion seeds is between Christmas and New Year.
I have chosen to grow from seed this year with seed from onions I let go to seed last year, I normally use sets but last year's crop mostly bolted so I will only use them this year and harvest them very young to use as a spring onion. For some reason I haven't managed to figure out a successful harvest of red onion yet( seems to be my nemesis 😂) Love your channel Ben some really fantastic tricks and tips Happy growing
Nice video but I think there is 2 important missing informations. First, it is important to cut oignons leaves many times when they are small to make them stronger. Second, they're many types of oignons : long, intermediate and long days oignons. You need to select your type according to your location.
A punnet is a small plastic container that soft fruits like strawberries or raspberries are often sold in. They make handy seed flats as they already have little drainage holes in the bottom of them.
I start my seeds indoors one month before spring arrives... actually doing it this weekend this year as building work made me 2 weeks late. I will after they reach 10cm high start hardening them out and thereafter they go into the raised beds. :)
Walla walla sweet onions from starts. Thinned them gradually as they got bigger. I never quite got the huge onion that I buy in stores, but they were quite tasty. Never from seed. I'm going to have to try that.
@@colinmacc6214 again, this site is NOT about Cannabis! This video is rudimentary and inaccurate, esp for onions. You should learn to stay in the correct lane and post appropriately
I've never grown onions from starts - only ever from seed or sets. The onions I grow tend to be smaller than the 'perfect' shop onions - but they are MUCH tastier and just as versatile in the kitchen. Good luck with starting yours from seed. :-)
Cover the distinction between long day and short day onions. I had some apparently long day red onion sets, planted in fall, which never made bulbs. Long day onions need 15 hours of sun, and central Texas did not provide that beyond a few days at the summer solstice.
Good point Mark. We don't have the long/short day distinction here in the UK, but that is something certainly to bear in mind in the US, depending on where you are.
You shouldn't need to offer additional fertiliser if your soil is already in good condition. If you're not sure, then rake in some organic general fertiliser before sowing or planting, according to packet instructions. You can sometimes find fertiliser specifically for onions and garlic. Good sunshine and moisture levels are then important for sustained growth and decent-sized bulbs. For sound storage, make sure you properly dry out (cure) the bulbs before storing. Selecting a variety well-known for storing well will also help.
I planted garlic shallots and onions about 6 weeks before first frost and they are coming along nicely through winter. Perhaps i should start some spring onions in my new cold frame. I have put some tomato seeds in there but they may die as not hot enough!
I geow from seed I harvest, I grow some for sets and generally save 200 sets and top and bottom them. I grow some solely for seed and collect the flower heads abd collect the seeds and I have only bought onions as seeds once as they produce so many seeds from one flower. I grow some in home made wooden troughs which have sided designed to have triple wall polycarbonate over them to form a miniature greenhouse and protect them in winter.
I'm trying a little experiment of my own. Onions from seeds and sets in a very raised bed. I'll let you know which method gives the best results for me.
I've never had much luck with onion sets growing large bulbs - they tend to bolt. Then a friend gave me some "potato onions" (which some call shallots, but they're round, not flattened on one side). Those have done extremely well for me the past couple of years. The only downside is that they're much smaller, so a lot more peeling than just a large bulb. They do have yellow and red varieties.
Sounds like a good results Sheila. Shallots are generally considered the most gourmet bulb of all, so although they're a bit fiddly, they are arguably superior in flavour.
@@GrowVeg I don't think what I have are shallots (though I've seen them sold as such). Shallots are elongated and flat on one side, these are round and grow in clusters. I was told they are "potato onions" - maybe not as sophisticated as shallots, but they work in any recipe, and they're very easy to grow.
I plant my storage onions and garlic from sets and fall plant so that summer harvest is largest size with lots of time to slowly cure... I also plant the non-storage/sweet onions late spring from starts bought at local big box store. This year I'm going to try onions hydroponically (NFT) in my greenhouse - not sure how that will go but an interesting project.
@@colinmacc6214 this is about ONION seeds NOT cannabis. They germinate differently. This has NO place here. Not to mention, that is a pretty rudimentary video you posted. Not everything in that video is true. Obviously you havent figured out not everyone is excited about inexperienced ppl pummeling chemical fertilzers into our water systems killing fish and wildlife to grow weed.
I've been wanting to plant storage onions for years but never have the space...this year they are on my "must grow" list! Those netting bags that come with onions from the store are landfill - not recyclable - and buy individual onions is costly....wish me luck!
I'm a newbie....know there's lots of info on planting times but when would be best to plant onion and garlic in particular? Late autumn and then they'll be ready for spring? Thanks 🙏
It depends on where you are. In my mild temperate climate (I'm in the UK) you could plant certain types of autumn-planting garlic in mid autumn to overwinter. But generally most onions are planted in the spring. Garlic, however, is best planted mid to late autumn to give you a head start for next season.
Hi what are the best variety of onions to grow over the winter? I have just got an allotment for the first time and have never grown onions before. Many thanks
If you are looking for onions to plant in the autumn to enjoy in early summer the following year, then look for the Japanese onions, which are very hardy and good for this purpose. 'Senshyu' is the most common variety for this purpose.
I harvested my red, yellow, and white onions last fall. It was the best harvest I have had in years. I harvested just as shown in your video - laying them on the ground for several hot days and then under my shed on netting where they stayed for a week or two. I started cleaning and cutting the stems off and put them in regular netted bags and hung them in the back room which I keep at between 35 and 45 degrees. After a month I was finding about two-thirds of the onions where rotting! I don't know why. Do you have some ideas why?
It could be that the onions weren't dried out quite enough. This is essential to stop them going soft and rotting in storage. Or it could be that the storage area was quite damp, which would see them go soft. Some varieties don't store as long as others, so make sure any onions you grow are marketed as being good storers. Also, check onions every week or so and act promptly to discard any rotting onions before they have a chance to infect others nearby - rot spreads very quickly given half a chance.
Root plant and vegetable it best not to use manure. Ecoli is a concern. There was cases reported regarding this on onion with Ecoli. Even fish manure was not safe unless it was breed in a tank or control environment. Also what software u were using for planing and planting your crops?
Nice presentation. You've inspired to me grow onions from seed next time, rather than sets. One question I have - when planting onions do you prepare the soil so that its quite spongy or do you firm it down a bit? Cheers.
I live in the desert southwest part of the U.S., where it gets up to 115F (46C) at the height of summer, so growing things are a little harder here. Last year's onions came out on the small side, and this year I'm trying Spanish white onions from sprouted seedlings; I'll try your tips and put them in raised growbags, something we use out here a lot (great drainage and almost no weeds) and see how they do. Is there anything that works well as companion planting with onions?
Actually, when you are about to use an onion, just cut off the bottom alittle bit more than usual and put it in a cup with a little bit of water (just enough so the bottom makes contact). Change the water every day or every other day and within 1 week you have proper roots on it. In 2 weeks the green will come out and within a few weeks you can enjoy onion green. If you let it grow longer you will get a proper onion.
It they aren't planted too early on so that they go into winter not too big, then they shouldn't bolt. They'll just continue growing into a bulb once it warms up again in spring. It's hard to say whether they are at more or less risk of bolting, but planting onions in the fall often leads to bigger bulbs, so it's well worth doing.
I've gone for seeds this year for onions (yellow rynsburger) and shallots (zebrune). Started on a warm windowsill indoors and planting out tomorrow here in NE England. Sets have always been a disappointment. I have lost a few of the seedlings to damping off though - any tips?
Damping off is often caused by excessively wet compost. Make sure to keep seedlings only just moist and keep them well ventilated. Hopefully when you come to plant them out things should settle down.
I don't plant my sets as deep as you recommend. I place the root end in the ground but don't cover the entire set. It allows the onion to spread and become larger in my mostly clay based soil.
I was told once that exposing the onion to the sun is what makes them hot, and hot peppers too. I don't like the onions to be hot, I prefer the big sweet Vidalia onions
They will regrow some leaves like this, but they won't form a new bulb. Harvesting the seeds is easy - you have to let them flower (usually in their second year) and then let the seed heads develop. Let them dry then shake out the seeds or bring the whole cut seed head indoors to dry. Then shake out the seeds. But I usually just purchase the seeds.
I have bought red baron onion sets. You said plant in mid spring? When is that? I don't want to plant too early and have them bolt. I live in NE Scotland
Hi Rosemary. I would say mid spring would be around early April down here, but you may want to delay planting till late April up in Caithness/Sutherland or wherever you are, just to be on the safe side. :-)
I have planted sets and transplants in autumn. All my sets are doing great in raised bed and 10 inch buckets. The transplants are not doing so great. Maybe I should leave them as a klomp and transplant them later again. I have sown indoors some Ailsa Craigs in yoghurt pots (12) and they are starting to come up. Last year all my onions bolted and were mainly used as green onions. Eveline in southern Scotland
I'm fairly new to growing my own veg so forgive the question, but could the seeds be sown into seed trays filled with compost rather than potting mix? Love your videos!
Hi Ben, love your videos. I am growing onions for the first time. I got some sets and have them started inside under lights. They are already growing 1-2 inches. I have a larger plastic greenhuse, when would be the right time to put them outside? Is it to early? ! am on Vancouver Island, off Canada's western coast.. usually same weather as the UK
Hi Colin. Vancouver Island is pretty mild, so if it's, say, consistently above 8 Celsius or so during the day and not freezing every night, I would be tempted to get them into the ground now.
I've recently made a raised garden bed & I've put onions in it, they are bulbs and growing nicely, the only problem I've thinking about is where my garden bed is, it's located in shade 70% of the day.... Will may onions grow?
They may struggle, but if the sunshine is good and strong during the 30% of the day they get it then they may do okay. I'd leave them where they are now you've planted them. They may just take a little longer to grow that's all.
@@GrowVeg thank you for my reply the garden bed in question get light until about noon... but I'm also a man that learns from my mistakes and a son of a mother that's keeps saying stop making mistakes 🤣🤣 thanks you for your reply
@@GrowVeg I've just harvest my onions about 80% of them where a good size so my raised garden bed was good enough conditions for them 😀😀 I've put them in my shed now for 2 weeks to toughen up.... just waiting on my potatoes carrots pepper tomatoes garlic now 😋🤗
I do appreciate a seed to harvest tutorial!!!!
Zelphia Ellerson ruclips.net/video/gAGpClAYRLU/видео.html
As do the rest of us, a magnificent help!
As a novice to veg growing, I just love your tips, thank you
Hi Emily. My advice would be to start with a few easy crops - courgettes/zucchini, chard, beans, potatoes, salad leaves - and build your confidence and the area you are growing in gradually, bit by bit. Vegetable gardening is a constant education - you never stop learning!
Oh my Lord I swear I've watched 20 videos now and this is the only one that is helpful. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
Grow Veg are always the best, too many have so much waffle as to be almost unwatchable, I you haven't already I would suggest subscribing.
I grow onions from seeds as well as starts, and am really looking forward to growing new varieties this spring. Thank you for your valuable information; I always learn something from your videos!
Thanks Kelly, so pleased you found the video useful. :-)
I started my first onion with a store bought onion that was growing in my fridge. After some new strong roots formed in water, I planted it in soil. Its been growing very well and I am growing it indoors :). Thanks for posting this video. I will try seeds next time.
I grow from seed - both Autumn sown (well seed needs to be sown between 18th and 22nd August) so Summer sown and Autumn planted - I use the variety "Augusta" which is a yellow skinned medium sized onion that grows to a good size (conditions permitting) and also keeps better than most Summer sown/Autumn planted varieties.
Then come early January I sow my maincrop onions which consist of F1 Hybrid Marco, Red Baron and large mild Kelsae. These are raised indoors in a heated conservatory and planted out when weather looks to be warming up in late March to early April (I am on South Coast of England). Then keeping the plants weed free and watered in dry weather until they start to flop over - to me the ripeness test is to gently squeeze the neck of the onion - if it is firm (flopped over or not) - leave it a bit longer.
I get good results and have not had to resort to shop bought onions for a very long time.
Details:-
I use deep seed trays and sow way more seed than I require (new seed each year) so I sow all I have and select the the strongest plants.
I use Levington M2 compost - this is Peat based (sorry) but alternatives are just inferior.
So with a good indoor start and good care I end up with about 250 onions of storable quality - some bolt or wither - some remain dwarf or split - many get used as scallions to fill the gap between last stored onion and next full sized summer crop onions in late June. Marco and Red Baron tend to be between 3" and 5" in diameter - Kelsae are large mild onions from 4" tp 8" but only keep a few months.
Is it worth growing your own onions - well I think so - one needs to get varieties that suit your soil and kitchen requirements and you need to hone your growing method to maximise success - when all these come together - Bingo, success and happiness - if there is a poor season where even the most accomplished grower has failed - then you feel the misery of hours of toil lost and hope and expectation dashed - but if you are like me you will forget the failure and be planning success for next year. Even a bad year will provide some home grown produce - I have never experienced worse than a reduced harvest - never complete loss - so do not be disheartened - as a poor year just increases the value of the crop you have been able to salvage and the resultant meals just that little bit more special.
Remember:- Nothing to lose - wonderful Onions to gain ;-)
JNT
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing your techniques with us. Garden-grown onions really are something special. :-)
Sown my first set of Red Baron seeds in plug trays for this year, here's to hoping I can pull it off. As a novice gardener these videos are invaluable.
Good luck with them - I'm sure they'll grow well. :-)
GROWING FOOD IS FREEDOM
Learn how to seed your crops and grow some especially for seeding and you never buy seeds again and my broad bean seed are over 100 yesrs old and my great grandfather started them.
Really enjoy your seed to harvest videos. Short, informative, and clearly understood. 👍
Thanks Jeff!
Seriously. Concise, lots of info, great pictures and no filler. Love these!
I planted white onion sets this spring near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and experienced exceptional results. As a novice gardener (first year) I was lacking in knowledge regarding preservation and storage... thank you for all your suggestions and tips!
Thank you for showing the whole process, which a lot of videos don't do.
Thanks for all your videos. They are a great help for novice allotment holders like myself. I'm trying to grow onions this year, fingers crossed. So, your advice is appreciated and invaluable.
Thanks Kim X
I have had only success when I take an onion, cut the root area about a 1/2 inch up and then plant that cutting in soil. 7 days later, voila...it grows! I am so loving planting onions, so easy to grow
I've just harvested my first crop, Long Red Florence. Even with this back and forth weather, they did reasonably well. I'm absolutely chuffed! I sowed into punnets and then transplanted straight into the beds. We're having a rather dry summer this year in the sub-tropics which made for better onions. I'm looking forward to the next sowing.
My favorite garden channel
Thanks!
I love each and every how to video you put out.
Thanks, Ben. Good information. I live in Puget Sound area and start my onions from seed in a plastic clamshell container from the grocery store. I use a variety of long day onions. I transplant seedlings in March-April.
What a great way to start them off. :-)
I start my in trays from seed...then put them out in the garden area when big enough to see...loved your video!
Thanks Margaret.
I'm a first time onion grower, hope to be able to report success later in the year.
Fingers crossed for you Robyn.
ferb out here educating us all
Hello From North Florida. I grew onions this year and they are doing wonderful. But I'm very anxious to harvest them and know I should wait. This was a very helpful video. Short and to the point . I'm going to check out more of your videos. GOOD JOB!!
So pleased the video was useful! I hope you enjoy a really bumper harvest. 😀
Can you do a follow-up video on the difference between short and long day onions as well as the planting seasons for both varieties?
Thanks for this suggestion. I'll add it to our list of video ideas for discussion at our next planning meeting - great idea.
I always do them in the fall. I just have way more time! So we sow them then we move bed to bed refreshing the soil and weeding etc
I'm trying out onions & shallots from seeds for the first time this year so I'll let you know whow the growing goes
I've planted in late autumn in previous years and lost a lot of sets over winter. Some of my best onions were planted as sets in spring or even better when grown from seed. I've also used seedlings purchased locally and they were show onions and definitely the best result for me last year. I plant garlic in autumn and that seems to do absolutely fine over winter, although I do plant spring varieties as well.
I started mine at the end of the summer last year using heat treated sets. I can’t wait till I get my early crop this year.
Same here. Mine have been in the ground for months and I can't wait!
i dont even like onions but my mrs does.. new green fingers here n learning something new every day
im starting from seed. i made a 10x4 raised bed last autumn and planted some good non bleached garlick mulched and covered with straw they came up in no time and sitting dormant still. thanks i learnt a lot today
I hope you have a great growing season. It's great to be getting started on growing your own food. I hope it goes well for you this year. You never stop learning!
Theres another amazing British RUclipsr who has onion braiding tutorials. Castle Hill Gardens.
I love these growing guides. They take up a whole season to make, so thank you for putting it together.
I love growing storage long varieties by seed. They keep so for a min of 10 months. Located in Western Washington state.
That’s a very long time!
Onions are a bi-annual plant, and starting from seed usually avoids the bolting aspect, which is more prevalent with sets, which are small onions in their first year of growth. I always plant from seed into a pot and let them grow until anywhere around 4" to 6" in height, then wash all the soil from the roots and separate and plant individually 6" apart in rows. I start sowing in February in a polytunnel and I live in Sweden, South of Stockholm and around the same latitude as the Orkneys and Shetland so it's still very cold and the ground is frozen up here, but I get great harvests every year.
Sounds like you've got a really great system there Hugh - very encouraging results from such a high latitude too!
@@GrowVeg Our techniques are similar, like a lot of the older gardeners on here, I started out back in1964 at 15 double trenching and using cow dung in the winter, and to be honest the food did taste better back then. Today it's easier with propagators to get seedlings started and then once sprouted you don't really need the heat as you know anything in the onion family are pretty cold hardy. I find onions, tomatoes and potatoes are the most rewarding, to grow every year, but I do have an expansive range, even down to Tomatillos and Chillies, corn in the cob, and whatever the stores don't stock. "Look after the soil", my old gardener used to say, "and the plants will look after themselves."
I like and watch your content, love your enthusiasm and down to earth approach another youtuber, Charles Dowding has a nice uncomplicated approach like yourself. Up here in Sweden the root vegetables need to be harvested quicker due to the ground being frozen which is sad when you want those Parsnips for Christmas, but Onions, Garlic, chives, they do last well into the following year.
Since following I've learned a lot a true guide to success and you really enjoy this
I’m going to try from seed this season! Feeling brave
Go for it - be brave!
Thank you for the tutorial. Can you please do a tutorial on Egyptian Walking Onions and Potato Onions?
Thanks for the suggestion - we'll add it to our list of ideas for future videos.
Hi Thank you for showing me how to grow onions.
Onions are super easy to grow, THANKS for your video! I start my onion seeds in a container, not cells and I put them on a hot pad. I trim the tops to maintain about 3" until they are ready to put in the ground. My starts are pretty dense, when time to put in the ground I use every start. I don't think the roots are that sensitive. I untangle them and put them in the ground about 4 inches apart.
I'm growing mine from seed this year also. I had great results this way last summer.
GrowVeg I let one onion go to seed and I save them for the next year. I find that those seeds that are getting adapted to my specific environment do even better than store bought seeds. Besides Marigolds, onion seeds are super easy to harvest.
It's surprising how hardy onion seedlings are - as you say they don't seem to mind being separated at all, I've heard the roots can even completely dry out and the seedling will recover but I've never tested it... I just dunk the whole container into water to soften the soil and separate them out before shallow planting and it works 100% of the time.
Nice job!! I’ve tried all three ways and seeds are definitely the way to go for me in upstate New York. I Sow them in my garage under lights in February, keep them trimmed to around 5” and plant in raised beds in spring.
I've had good success from seed too - they tend not to bolt so easily.
Do you have to harden them off before transplanting?
@@sparrowsknow8491 I like to harden them off to ease them into the suns rays. But I keep a fan on them inside so they are pretty sturdy.
Great video - very straight forward. I’ve sown direct, planted sets and started some in modules this year (Southern Hemisphere). Planning on a big onion harvest. 😆 But really just want to see what works best.
Nice to have a variety like that - I hope you have a really bumper harvest. :-)
I grow Texas white sweet onions in 1 dedicated planter from transplants where nothing else will grow except scallops. I will then re-transplant as I pick larger bulbs from the border edges around bell pepper planter boxes where they bulb. In another border I harvest just tops to use in Cajun cooking such as gumbo. This planter border is allowed to re-grow the tops & never bulbs.
Have grown onions this way for over 35 years & as I use up all my starter planter box which is 3 feet x 12 feet, I will add a mulch created from lawn grass cuttings, dried tree leaves, potato skins, shrimp hulls which have been run through the mower & tilled into the ground to a depth of 6 inches. From there I immediately add new transplants at any time of the year in any season. Case in point it will be June 1st here in Louisiana & will be starting a new planter.
Reason nothing else will grow in this planter is it receives only 4 hours morning sunlight & is next to the backside of the house although when I have chosen to grow scallops, they took twice as long but produced massive & hardy
I have wanted to try growing onions for ages. Only got a tiny veg patch, so intend to plant my seedlings in the gaps between runner bean wig wams. Onion seed already in, very excited.
Have a care with that. Beans and onions tend to inhibit each other. Beans tend not to set pods, and onions tend not to bulb if they are too close to each other.
@@GoddessNightMist thank you for that. I’ll find somewhere else for the onions.
I've had better success with sets, versus seeds. The seeds i've planted get to growing, then a majority of them seem to push themselves up out of the soil and I find them laying on their sides. If I catch them right away they re-plant with no problem, but i don't have the same problem with sets and bolting has not been an issue for me. We are still eating the red onions I pickled from last season's crop, and this year I planted even more.
Cheers, Ben!
Thanks for sharing your experiences Ed. :-)
I've started onions all three ways, plants are the easiest if you don't get your seeds started early enough. Did sets last year, they just don't get real big or store as well. Getting down into my planting shed this week to start onions plus my cole crops here in Missouri.
Great to be starting things off already. I'll be starting my onions tomorrow. :-)
I’m going to try growing onions from seed next year. I’ve had only moderate success with over wintering sets which often bolt. I have been told that the best time to sow onion seeds is between Christmas and New Year.
Yes, sowing onions around New Year does work best, to get a nice long season.
Love it! I'm off to dig mine up now. Looking forward to enjoying them over winter
Have a go at Fen Early, they are the best onions I've ever grown from sets, big onions and lovely flavour.
Thanks for the tip Richard.
I have chosen to grow from seed this year with seed from onions I let go to seed last year,
I normally use sets but last year's crop mostly bolted so I will only use them this year and harvest them very young to use as a spring onion.
For some reason I haven't managed to figure out a successful harvest of red onion yet( seems to be my nemesis 😂)
Love your channel Ben some really fantastic tricks and tips
Happy growing
Your home-saved seed will be really successful I'm sure - the best way to get really strong germination and plants. :-)
Nice video but I think there is 2 important missing informations. First, it is important to cut oignons leaves many times when they are small to make them stronger. Second, they're many types of oignons : long, intermediate and long days oignons. You need to select your type according to your location.
Very good points - thank you for sharing.
I enjoy your straight forward advice, and love your accent and phrases! In another comment, she plants first in punnets. What is a punnet?
A punnet is a small plastic container that soft fruits like strawberries or raspberries are often sold in. They make handy seed flats as they already have little drainage holes in the bottom of them.
We use sets in raised beds planted in spring.
I start my seeds indoors one month before spring arrives... actually doing it this weekend this year as building work made me 2 weeks late. I will after they reach 10cm high start hardening them out and thereafter they go into the raised beds. :)
Walla walla sweet onions from starts. Thinned them gradually as they got bigger. I never quite got the huge onion that I buy in stores, but they were quite tasty.
Never from seed. I'm going to have to try that.
Kit DuBhran %100 germination rate! ruclips.net/video/gAGpClAYRLU/видео.html
@@colinmacc6214 again, this site is NOT about Cannabis! This video is rudimentary and inaccurate, esp for onions. You should learn to stay in the correct lane and post appropriately
I've never grown onions from starts - only ever from seed or sets. The onions I grow tend to be smaller than the 'perfect' shop onions - but they are MUCH tastier and just as versatile in the kitchen.
Good luck with starting yours from seed. :-)
Cover the distinction between long day and short day onions. I had some apparently long day red onion sets, planted in fall, which never made bulbs. Long day onions need 15 hours of sun, and central Texas did not provide that beyond a few days at the summer solstice.
Good point Mark. We don't have the long/short day distinction here in the UK, but that is something certainly to bear in mind in the US, depending on where you are.
Really enjoy your Garden Planner.
That's wonderful to hear Mike. :-)
Excellent guide, thank you. It would also help to tell us a little about the fertilising regime, things that would improve flavour/yield and storage.
You shouldn't need to offer additional fertiliser if your soil is already in good condition. If you're not sure, then rake in some organic general fertiliser before sowing or planting, according to packet instructions. You can sometimes find fertiliser specifically for onions and garlic. Good sunshine and moisture levels are then important for sustained growth and decent-sized bulbs.
For sound storage, make sure you properly dry out (cure) the bulbs before storing. Selecting a variety well-known for storing well will also help.
@@GrowVeg Thank you, I shall give that a try.:-)
I planted garlic shallots and onions about 6 weeks before first frost and they are coming along nicely through winter. Perhaps i should start some spring onions in my new cold frame. I have put some tomato seeds in there but they may die as not hot enough!
It may be too cold at this time of year (depending on where you are of course!). But always fun trying to push things and see how early you can go.
Nice onion harvest bro. So come let's go gardening in my garden
Very good and complete video! Thanks
Just planted seeds in trays last week
I plant out some seedlings probably too early - major fail.
However, my sets are doing well and last year's crop is still giving.🙂
I grow Walla Walla sweets from transplants, but started leeks from seed this year! Great video -- as always!
I geow from seed I harvest, I grow some for sets and generally save 200 sets and top and bottom them. I grow some solely for seed and collect the flower heads abd collect the seeds and I have only bought onions as seeds once as they produce so many seeds from one flower. I grow some in home made wooden troughs which have sided designed to have triple wall polycarbonate over them to form a miniature greenhouse and protect them in winter.
Lol give my spoon back. I use the same one too for planting great minds think alike.
It's not particularly glamorous but it works just as well as any dibber. :-)
I noticed that hi tech garden tool too! Gives me ideas. Now I need to scour my kitchen for implements
@@ELBlDu I tell you the is the best place to find garden tools.Lol
Love all your videos. Had to review this one as my transplants just arrived!
I'm trying a little experiment of my own. Onions from seeds and sets in a very raised bed.
I'll let you know which method gives the best results for me.
Please do. :-)
More, more!! More videos like this!!!
I've never had much luck with onion sets growing large bulbs - they tend to bolt. Then a friend gave me some "potato onions" (which some call shallots, but they're round, not flattened on one side). Those have done extremely well for me the past couple of years. The only downside is that they're much smaller, so a lot more peeling than just a large bulb. They do have yellow and red varieties.
Sounds like a good results Sheila. Shallots are generally considered the most gourmet bulb of all, so although they're a bit fiddly, they are arguably superior in flavour.
@@GrowVeg I don't think what I have are shallots (though I've seen them sold as such). Shallots are elongated and flat on one side, these are round and grow in clusters. I was told they are "potato onions" - maybe not as sophisticated as shallots, but they work in any recipe, and they're very easy to grow.
@@Sheila-kr8jr Shallots come in all sorts of shapes too. Some are long and flat on one side, and others are round.
Have been waiting for this video. Much appreciate.
I plant my storage onions and garlic from sets and fall plant so that summer harvest is largest size with lots of time to slowly cure... I also plant the non-storage/sweet onions late spring from starts bought at local big box store. This year I'm going to try onions hydroponically (NFT) in my greenhouse - not sure how that will go but an interesting project.
NFT growing of onions would be an interesting project. Let us know how you get on.
I just planted my seeds!
@@colinmacc6214 this is about ONION seeds NOT cannabis. They germinate differently. This has NO place here. Not to mention, that is a pretty rudimentary video you posted. Not everything in that video is true. Obviously you havent figured out not everyone is excited about inexperienced ppl pummeling chemical fertilzers into our water systems killing fish and wildlife to grow weed.
Me too, like yesterday. I put all 3 varieties to see what's best!
you are right sir, immencely satisfying =)
I usually use sets but plant to try seeds if what I have isn't too old.
I get good results from seed - plants tend to be less likely to bolt.
I've been wanting to plant storage onions for years but never have the space...this year they are on my "must grow" list! Those netting bags that come with onions from the store are landfill - not recyclable - and buy individual onions is costly....wish me luck!
Good luck Trish! You can buy various sacks for storing onions, including hessian/burlap sacks which are perhaps kinder to the environment.
Will I get good results by using onion set that I purchase from grocery store? Or should I purchase special sets from seed shops? Tks for your help.
Any onion sets sold specifically for planting should be fine, whether from the grocery store or a seed shop.
I'm a newbie....know there's lots of info on planting times but when would be best to plant onion and garlic in particular? Late autumn and then they'll be ready for spring? Thanks 🙏
It depends on where you are. In my mild temperate climate (I'm in the UK) you could plant certain types of autumn-planting garlic in mid autumn to overwinter. But generally most onions are planted in the spring. Garlic, however, is best planted mid to late autumn to give you a head start for next season.
Hi what are the best variety of onions to grow over the winter? I have just got an allotment for the first time and have never grown onions before. Many thanks
If you are looking for onions to plant in the autumn to enjoy in early summer the following year, then look for the Japanese onions, which are very hardy and good for this purpose. 'Senshyu' is the most common variety for this purpose.
I start mine off in winter sown jugs😉
I harvested my red, yellow, and white onions last fall. It was the best harvest I have had in years. I harvested just as shown in your video - laying them on the ground for several hot days and then under my shed on netting where they stayed for a week or two. I started cleaning and cutting the stems off and put them in regular netted bags and hung them in the back room which I keep at between 35 and 45 degrees. After a month I was finding about two-thirds of the onions where rotting! I don't know why. Do you have some ideas why?
It could be that the onions weren't dried out quite enough. This is essential to stop them going soft and rotting in storage. Or it could be that the storage area was quite damp, which would see them go soft. Some varieties don't store as long as others, so make sure any onions you grow are marketed as being good storers. Also, check onions every week or so and act promptly to discard any rotting onions before they have a chance to infect others nearby - rot spreads very quickly given half a chance.
Thank you, I love this tutorial! I've learned a lot from Arielle at Simple Living Alaska too, as their climate is similar to ours.
Root plant and vegetable it best not to use manure. Ecoli is a concern. There was cases reported regarding this on onion with Ecoli. Even fish manure was not safe unless it was breed in a tank or control environment.
Also what software u were using for planing and planting your crops?
The software is called the Garden Planner. More details at: www.growveg.com/gardenplanner/gardenplanner.html
Xcellent clear tutorial.Thnx
Nice presentation. You've inspired to me grow onions from seed next time, rather than sets. One question I have - when planting onions do you prepare the soil so that its quite spongy or do you firm it down a bit? Cheers.
I like the soil to be relatively firm, but with a fine tilth/texture to sow or plant into.
I live in the desert southwest part of the U.S., where it gets up to 115F (46C) at the height of summer, so growing things are a little harder here. Last year's onions came out on the small side, and this year I'm trying Spanish white onions from sprouted seedlings; I'll try your tips and put them in raised growbags, something we use out here a lot (great drainage and almost no weeds) and see how they do. Is there anything that works well as companion planting with onions?
Marigolds are a great companion to onions. And onions are great planted close to many brassica (cabbage family) crops.
Actually, when you are about to use an onion, just cut off the bottom alittle bit more than usual and put it in a cup with a little bit of water (just enough so the bottom makes contact).
Change the water every day or every other day and within 1 week you have proper roots on it. In 2 weeks the green will come out and within a few weeks you can enjoy onion green. If you let it grow longer you will get a proper onion.
It's a great way to get a bonus crop of onion tops/greens.
Are fall-planted onions that are left in situ over the winter as likely to bolt as sets?
It they aren't planted too early on so that they go into winter not too big, then they shouldn't bolt. They'll just continue growing into a bulb once it warms up again in spring. It's hard to say whether they are at more or less risk of bolting, but planting onions in the fall often leads to bigger bulbs, so it's well worth doing.
I've gone for seeds this year for onions (yellow rynsburger) and shallots (zebrune). Started on a warm windowsill indoors and planting out tomorrow here in NE England. Sets have always been a disappointment. I have lost a few of the seedlings to damping off though - any tips?
Damping off is often caused by excessively wet compost. Make sure to keep seedlings only just moist and keep them well ventilated. Hopefully when you come to plant them out things should settle down.
Hi when do you wash onions after harvesting? Before or after curing? Thanks as usual great content
I would wash before curing if you want them clean. Or just before eating them, alternatively.
@@GrowVeg thanks for your help!! and i cant wait for uk spring to come! :)
I don't plant my sets as deep as you recommend. I place the root end in the ground but don't cover the entire set. It allows the onion to spread and become larger in my mostly clay based soil.
That's a great tip, thanks for sharing Kimberly.
I was told once that exposing the onion to the sun is what makes them hot, and hot peppers too. I don't like the onions to be hot, I prefer the big sweet Vidalia onions
small video contain lot if information.👍👍👍👌
Thanks for the help🌹
Hi if you cut the ends of store bought one, will they grow? Also how to extract seeds? Or you have to purchase seeds? Thanks
They will regrow some leaves like this, but they won't form a new bulb. Harvesting the seeds is easy - you have to let them flower (usually in their second year) and then let the seed heads develop. Let them dry then shake out the seeds or bring the whole cut seed head indoors to dry. Then shake out the seeds. But I usually just purchase the seeds.
@@GrowVeg thank you
Thanks
excellent information - cheers
I have bought red baron onion sets. You said plant in mid spring? When is that? I don't want to plant too early and have them bolt. I live in NE Scotland
Hi Rosemary. I would say mid spring would be around early April down here, but you may want to delay planting till late April up in Caithness/Sutherland or wherever you are, just to be on the safe side. :-)
Can I start them in cell trays now? Do I need to wait till after the last frost before planting out?
I have planted sets and transplants in autumn. All my sets are doing great in raised bed and 10 inch buckets. The transplants are not doing so great. Maybe I should leave them as a klomp and transplant them later again. I have sown indoors some Ailsa Craigs in yoghurt pots (12) and they are starting to come up. Last year all my onions bolted and were mainly used as green onions. Eveline in southern Scotland
Hi Eveline. Sets seem to overwinter quite reliably, versus seedlings/transplants anyhow. But that's just my experience.
Thank you
I'm fairly new to growing my own veg so forgive the question, but could the seeds be sown into seed trays filled with compost rather than potting mix?
Love your videos!
Yes, you could use sieved garden compost too, but a seed-starting or multipurpose potting mix will probably give better results.
@@GrowVeg Thank you!
Hi Ben, love your videos. I am growing onions for the first time. I got some sets and have them started inside under lights. They are already growing 1-2 inches. I have a larger plastic greenhuse, when would be the right time to put them outside? Is it to early? ! am on Vancouver Island, off Canada's western coast.. usually same weather as the UK
Hi Colin. Vancouver Island is pretty mild, so if it's, say, consistently above 8 Celsius or so during the day and not freezing every night, I would be tempted to get them into the ground now.
Haha, I enjoy to watching this! Until I forgot to Like! For your work 😅🤗
Thanks so much, glad you're enjoying the videos. :-)
Liked this a lot except the plastic net bag at the end !
You could of use some more natural material, such as hessian/burlap sacks.
I've recently made a raised garden bed & I've put onions in it, they are bulbs and growing nicely, the only problem I've thinking about is where my garden bed is, it's located in shade 70% of the day.... Will may onions grow?
They may struggle, but if the sunshine is good and strong during the 30% of the day they get it then they may do okay. I'd leave them where they are now you've planted them. They may just take a little longer to grow that's all.
@@GrowVeg thank you for my reply the garden bed in question get light until about noon... but I'm also a man that learns from my mistakes and a son of a mother that's keeps saying stop making mistakes 🤣🤣 thanks you for your reply
@@GrowVeg I've just harvest my onions about 80% of them where a good size so my raised garden bed was good enough conditions for them 😀😀 I've put them in my shed now for 2 weeks to toughen up.... just waiting on my potatoes carrots pepper tomatoes garlic now 😋🤗
Try Australian brown and see