I've been trying to grow onions this season and have run into some serious issues with my seeds. I planted two varieties in January, using a tray of small cells with several seeds per cell. Unfortunately, only about 25 cells sprouted after 20 days, and I ended up trying a second batch in pots, but it was an even worse outcome—just two sprouts from one pot and nothing from the other. After looking into it, I found that the seed brand has poor reviews for sprouting rates, which has been really frustrating since my tomatoes are thriving. Now I'm wondering if it's too late in the season to start onions, given that most seed packets suggest planting in March or April. Should I just buy onion sets instead? I want to grow from seed but also want to ensure I have something to harvest this year. Any advice?
5 Answers
It’s still okay to try again! Onions can survive cooler temps. If you plant now, you might be able to harvest by November. Just make sure you’re patient with germination, and maybe consider planting during a full moon for better results. You can also get some grocery store onions, place them in water to sprout roots, and then plant those directly. They’ll flower beautifully and can produce tons of seeds!
You could try doing both! Buy some onion sets to plant directly in the ground, and also plant some seeds in trays. This way, you'll have multiple options and can see which works best for you!
Definitely get some sets and plant them. It's a good idea to keep experimenting with seeds so that next year you’ll know which ones work for you. Better to have something growing this year!
I’ve seen poor results from onion seeds too, even when they’re still in date. Try getting some onion sets for this season. If you can, leave a few onions in the ground to harvest seeds next year—it's a great cycle!
It's not too late to sow long-day variety seeds! They still have time to bulb up before the season ends. Just make sure you give them proper care and check your soil conditions.