What do onion sets look like

Onions can be purchased in a few forms: seed, sets or transplants. Growing from seed is unquestionably the most economical way to grow onions. Seeds can be sown directly in the garden as soon as the soil can be worked in April or early May. Onion germination can be slow and patchy, leading many gardeners to start them indoors in the spring in order to ensure a full harvest.

Start onion seeds weeks before you anticipate being able to transplant them into the garden, between mid-February and mid-March. Onion seeds are only viable for about a year, so new seed should be purchased at the start of each growing season. Another option is to plant onion sets. Onion sets are small onion bulbs - usually around a nickel in diameter - that were grown from seed in the previous season.

They can be ordered from seed catalogues or picked up at garden centers and hardware stores in the spring. Onion sets are the easiest way to plant and ensure a harvest of full-sized onion bulbs. The only downsides are that they can be more expensive and variety is often very limited. You may only get to choose between yellow, red or white onions, not from the multitude of varieties that fall within each of those categories.

A third way to plant onions is to purchase transplants. Onion transplants were typically grown the previous growing season and are shipped in banded bundles in the early spring. Sets are small, dry onion bulbs that have been grown the previous year. They are the easiest for many gardeners to grow. Buy a bag of sets, push them into damp soil until just the top is showing and the onion quickly starts growing.

They are frequently sold only as yellow, white or red onions without a variety name. Some gardeners mistakenly think you can plant sets in the fall and ensure a larger crop the next year, but this actually forces the plant to put more energy into producing a flower instead of a bulb.

Seeds, however, can be planted in the fall. Round sets will produce a flattened onion, and tear shaped or elongated sets will produce round onions. Larger sets are best used as green onions while smaller sets are left in the ground to form bulbs. For large, firm bulbs, plants are best. They were produced from seed in the year they were sold. Generally plants come in a bundle. In essence, this is the process of planting onion transplants or seedlings.

And, it is a much better way to plant with seeds. For starters, it allows the onions to get a head start. In addition, it makes weeding and bed care much easier than trying to see the tiny seeds against any weeds as they sprout. This Is My Garden is a website dedicated to spreading the love and knowledge of gardening around the world. We publish two new garden articles each week. This article may contain affiliate links.

When should I plant onions? And what varieties are best for my area? Knowing which onions grow best in your climate is a big key to success — no matter if you plant sets, seeds, or seedlings. Onion sets being planted in the early spring. During the second year of growth, the onion will flower and set seed in the bloom head. These yellow Granex onions are a wonderful short day onion variety. Walla Walla onions are a big favorite among long-day onion growers.

Spring onions are easily grown from onion transplants or sets. Planting onion sets in the early spring. Planting seed directly can be a tedious process.