The Easiest Way to Grow Onions!

This video shows you how to grow onions the easy way. Onions are a staple crop for most vegetable gardens, and this growing technique is perfect if you have either left sowing onion seed too late, or you want the most hassle-free way to enjoy a harvest of homegrown onions later in summer. I share all my top tips on the planting and growing of onions to ensure you get the best success possible.
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[@HuwRichards]

Interesting to hear about bolting issues regarding sets! Not something I have ever come across before. Bolting is often induced when a plant is stressed from heat and lack of water, so mulching your onions grown from sets may be something to try. This video though focuses on ease and speed, not at all denying the benefits seed have to offer too :)

[@sarab3960]

I have an allotment, last year all my neighbours red onion sets bolted but mine didn’t. I planted the sets but when I knew the heat wave was going to hit (they were the size of small apple at this point) I folded the stems and left them on the ground for about 3/4 weeks. They grew bigger and some were bigger then my hand. From about 30sets I got 13kg. I’m in Jersey Uk by the way 😊

[@richm5889]

I don't think it's "bolting," as in succumbing to heat, weather or other environmental conditions, giving up and going to seed. Sets are supposed to go to seed. They are second year onions, first season growth interrupted and put into dormancy for replanting next. A biennial plant's natural purpose in the second season is to complete the life cycle and produce seed, perpetuating future generations. First season onions from seedlings tend to take longer and be larger than second season onions from sets given the same growing conditions. If a first season onion goes to seed ilas it made from excessive heat, that is bolting.

[@Anonymous-km5pj]

my onion sets hav bolted b4 i just pick off the flower and plant goes ok whatever ima go w it. Love onions, thanks for the vid

[@cbjones2212]

@@richm5889 I'm in Australia and I've collected the tiniest onions from a seed grown crop to try this sett planting in the past (we don't have commercial setts here). When I've planted them in Winter/Spring they have always bolted - I have to assume because of their being 2nd year onions that want to produce flowers in the Spring. Conversely when I've planted them out in late Summer/early Autumn, they have grown well albeit a little slower and I've been able to harvest good sized onions in Winter before bolting becomes an issue. All that to say I won't be swapping over to setts as I get all we need from seed, but it allows me to grow more from the tiniest onions that are otherwise a pain in the butt to cook with.

[@richm5889]

@@cbjones2212 That's great. I prefer seedlings grown from seed too. What surprised me is how long they take to get from seed to transplant size. More than three months indoors.

[@weronikajarmoszewicz9625]

Very nice video :) I am from Poland and in my family, we have been planting onions sets directly into the ground for years and we have a very nice crop. Also there is delicious salad with lettuce, onion leaves, radishes and sour cream - i recommend everyone try it :)

[@tater357]

I've been watching you on youtube since you were a little fella. Happy to see how much you've grown and so glad you didn't lose interest in gardening. Sometimes watching your videos I'll go back and watch some of the older video's and see if there is any advice you give back then that you still follow to this same day.

[@heredeacristian2075]

Hii. I discover you 3 weeks a go. Wend after one year and half we got ours plot :)) I am Romanian I can't wait to start my little garden in Harrogate. P.S. I am a chef :) Thank you so much for your amazing video. X

[@OctiTV]

Multă baftă. Spor la grădinărit!

[@heredeacristian2075]

@@OctiTV 🤪Mersi LA fel:)

[@brucepechtel7791]

Very informative and well done. Thank you! I just planted my first onion bulbs and they are doing really well. And you’ve provided me with some very useful info! Thank you again!

[@melissapollard5447]

I couldn’t find onion sets anywhere in Tasmania (Australia), so I made my own. I saved all the onions from last season that germinated late and didn’t grow to an easy to handle size in the season, stored these through autumn, and planted in late winter. We were eating these as mid sized onions through spring and early summer while we waited for the seed planted onions to come on. Some went to seed but, generally, it worked really well.

[@brent3611]

Your're one of my favourite gardeners to watch and learn from on yt. There's something calming about your demeanor and presentation. Keep up the great work Huw!

[@HuwRichards]

Thank you so much that's so kind☺️

[@zachbartok3676]

I don’t mind sets, but rather grow from seed. Ima try a bit of both this yr.

[@gardenonthemoors]

Whoever came up with onion sets was a genius! For me they're so reliable and a staple in the plot

[@PurringMyrrh]

Great info and a lovely way for me to relax before work! Guess I'll be fantasizing about gardening all day again today...I saw onion sets at the store just yesterday! Thanks gor being such a positive way to start the day. Much greenthumb love from a 23°F Nevada City, California!🌱🌱🌱🧅🧅🧅

[@david111davies]

I think in Cali you have much sweeter onions than we do in Northen Europe so certainly worth growing them there. In the UK we grow onions that make you cry lol....

[@scottmartin2367]

Hi Huw. Greetings from the west kootenay b.c. Canada. My wife's birthday today i bought her your book Grow Food for Free. She loves it....then she found you on KZbin. We've made her day thankyou.

[@vanessaadams9145]

I only avoid onion sets because theyre on their second year, therefore they are focusing more on going to seed then forming the bulb. Plus the varieties are limited depending on area. I dont mind planting seeds lol but I have bought some sets for seed saving , saves me having to wait a year

[@MartineMoeijes]

The wise old men at my allotement site in the Netherlands always advise not to start with onion sets before the spring equinox. They say that prevents the onions sets from bolting.

[@robinmiller1783]

Sets are easy for sure, but too many bolt for me. Seed is more fuss, but I never have a bolting issue.

[@saltburner2]

This channel and 'Just Alex' have become my favourites.

[@christinamoxon]

Thanks Huw, that was really clear and comprehensive. I'm not a new gardener but I've not grown onions before due to lack of space. I have to choose my crops carefully and leeks always win. But I am super envious. They look amazing. xx

[@mamazeeto623]

Thanks Huw love your insights, so helpful for us new veg growers! Love your new potting table - very plush !

[@slomo1716]

Wonderful information! Growing up we always planted onion sets for great results with onion. I tried seeds one year and experienced failure. You've inspired me to be on the lookout for onion and leek sets. Thank you Huw!

[@gabbym7560]

Grow both, sets overwintered and seeds multisown early spring. I love the varieties you get from seed.

[@dessiedonnelly4639]

I always find your videos the best as they're both interesting and I learn so much.

[@ibrstellar1080]

I find using an empty tray to compress the compost down a quick method to pack the compost.

[@KHOTSOKHOEURN]

He explained the cultivation very well.Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@carolthomas770]

Beautiful presentation!

[@alice_rabbit8345]

Very interesting. I’m trying onion sets for the first time this year.

[@trockodile]

We lay an unrolled length of chicken wire over the top of our sets planted directly into our deep beds. The wavey nature of the unrolled mesh puts the birds right off as it moves a bit if they try to land on it. It doesn't tangle up the onion tops and we lift it off again when they've grown on a bit. I'm going to be giving your module starts a go this year, as well as multisown seeds in modules, just because we can and they both look good ways to try! Thanks for another great video. Loving your newly updated version of 'Veg in One Bed' as inspiration btw, awesome stuff! 👍😁

[@fiveinitaly]

Video was cool! 👍👍

[@bernadettesullivan29]

Love your new sowing area set up Huw , nice and spacious and organized , looking forward to lots more great videos from 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱Huw’s Potting Bench 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

[@meinekleinegartenwelt3110]

Thank you for your useful Tipps

[@DownButNotOutYet]

Hi Huw, love this video, this is a great time saver but I will still sow seeds just for the fun of it. I am going to share your video with another person whom I am sure will enjoy it as well. Kind regards.

[@cliffmays442]

I have always used onion sets along with plants. I pull the sets when they are young and eat them as a green or spring onions. Or if I let them grow I use them as cooking or storage onions. The ones I find in my area turn strong tasting if they I let them get large. The plants I get larger and sweeter onions. I like Candy, Walla walla, or sweet Spanish from the plants. My wife is from the onion growing area of the Philippines, they grow a lot of sweet Spanish, and a small red type for spice flavour.

[@joannarandall5468]

Very useful video, thank you. 😊

[@AlchemyAles]

Awesome video mate. You rock!

[@joannc147]

Very timely! Thank you for this info. I tried sets last year and had underwhelming success. I see that I planted a bit too deep. The onions “grew” until flop-over harvest time, but most were only doubled in size. I’ll be experimenting with both seeds and sets this year. My onion seeds JUST germinated this morning (2 species of onions and 1 of bunching onions or scallions). Germination is just so darn exciting!

[@TheBuccy]

Great tips .

[@poornis7025]

Thank you !

[@GSDsforever]

Huw, I've always had problems with onion sets actually growing (bigger) in the garden so I quit buying them altogether and planted from seed. Now, perhaps, I think it might have been that my soil was not rich enough for them to grow. I think I'll try some again this year. Thank you for your wonderful videos! Blessings from Kansas USA........

[@anthonygainsford1893]

Nice video Huw, I particularly liked your comment re using the onion leaves for salad, brilliant I was thinking of that whilst watching the video, also, could I make a beautiful green onion leaf soup or light stew. I love seeing everything that nature gives being used and loved. Best wishes.

[@ohiogardener4019]

I used to grow a lot of onions from sets, but always had trouble with them bolting to seed. I now grow only from seed, which is incredibly easy .

[@nunyabiznes33]

I've never grown crops, why is this bolting a problem? Do they mess up the bulbs? Also, do you buy seeds yearly or are you able to let some onions go to seed for replanting?

[@ohiogardener4019]

@@nunyabiznes33 If the onions bolt to seed they do not form bulbs that can be stored for the winter. I do not collect seeds from onions, and buy new seeds every year. Onion seeds only store for one year, older seeds will not germinate.

[@nunyabiznes33]

@@ohiogardener4019 Oh I didn't knew they have short viability. I thought people just collect the seeds and store the bulbs and they can then grow from either. I live in the tropics so probably they'd just bolt quickly. Never bought sets but every now and then I'd try to plant grocery bulbs that have already sprouted but never got anything from those (they'd grow a bit and then die).

[@alexaskew70]

Huw lives in wales where it only stops raining for 2 weeks in June, but for the rest of us Garlic is a better bet!

[@valerieellen2402]

😂 I live in Wales too! 😂

[@alanduffell6820]

I Grow Japanese onions during the winter months here in the UK.

[@Alyss93]

About heat sources for germinating - I've used the top of my fridge to great success this year! We also have a large standing freezer that generates a good amount of heat out the top too. You just have to keep a close eye on things and make sure to get them into light once they do germinate.

[@karenharkness4847]

As Well as growing from seed and sets, I'm trying potato onions for the first time this year, aka Multiplier onions as I want more perennial veg. So looking forward to seedy Saturday in Carmarthen as a little Glasbren bird told me you and Stephanie Hafferty will be there!

[@ctab4689]

Thank you Huw for the video on onion sets. I always have trouble with onion seeds because my zone is for Intermediate Day onions. I have experimented with long day, short day and intermediate day; but still have trouble getting my onions to the finish line. I have purchased sets this year. So your video was very timely! I would like to start inside and wondered if you used any bottom heat with your sets or just set them in the greenhouse?

[@hands2hearts-seeds2feedamu83]

I like to plant the onion seedlings, that have not yet bulbed much. I love onions, half onion a DAY to a whole onion per day.

[@hands2hearts-seeds2feedamu83]

Oh I'm NOT saying I grow that MANY. I so wish I did

[@SmallholdingUK]

I’ve not had sets bolt either but have heard it can happen more with early winter type sets here in the uk if it gets very cold 🥶 I’m about to plant my sets also and I always do a few from seed aswell just for a back up

[@heredeacristian2075]

Onion set its so popular in Romania :)

[@ibrstellar1080]

V3ry nice r7stic looking bench you have there Huw😁.

[@kansasgardener5844]

In the US we either start seed indoors or plant onion plants. Set's are second year onions and will more than likely bolt.

[@berebelliousgirls6831]

Love your videos 💞💞you should add Spanish subtitles lots of love from Spain

[@woodworks2123]

Good video Huw. This year I would like to try tri planted onions (3 planted together), which is usually done by seed but I'd like to try with sets for simplicity, I know they are slightly smaller but from what I've seen not as much as you would think, with larger spacings but overall more onions per bed. What size of pot would you recommend for this and have you tried it?

[@stevendowden2579]

nice video

[@jean-pierreposman7282]

Hi Richard verry interesring video . I like verry much the green leaves of my springonions . I start from seeds . If I cut the green leaves do they grow back to make the onion-bulb more mature ? And take that a long time ???

[@tracymantovani9659]

Hi Huw, I have a question regarding veg beds. (Not strictly onions but they will be going in one 😊). I have a blank starting from scratch garden - I don’t want to spend an absolute fortune on cedar given current timber prices but I also dont want my beds to rot after a few years. Would the process of Yakisugi prolong the life if another timber was used? Love your videos, all so informative.

[@hilbre31]

Huw that was one of your best. I am an old head but what you have shown is text book fail safe onion growing. I only recommend starting in seed trays but will admit straight to ground is not an issue just not as much fun. With seed trays you will know which ones have not fired.

[@janenewley1014]

Yes…I,ve planted my shallots the same way for the first time this year…because I wish to get them started early…and have a choice of places where I may yet plant them out…have never had onions or shallot sets bolt …jinxy

[@josiefreeborn2999]

How do you? store the module trays after planting

[@jokemelink5834]

Hi, great vid! What variety do you use? Sorry, you said it but I couldn’t hear it. Greetings from The Netherlands

[@zoesterjoy]

Several years ago I stopped using onion sets because of botrytis. However, the small starts I've been buying don't mature enough to provide a decent harvest. Thanks for giving me the courage to go back to sets. Any words of caution?

[@microheavy21]

Hey Huw - Can we get the HR containerwise trays in Ireland please ?

[@angling-with-steve5215]

Think I might if planted my sets to deep :/ 2-3 inches. Will they still grow or die off?

[@ceepark114]

This year I started onions by seed indoors under lights. I usually buy onion plants but this year I wanted more variety than I could get in the stores. I am just about ready this plant them outdoors, waiting for the weather to improve. I don't like using the onion sets, they always bolted for me making a very short storage time.

[@heikekropp5377]

hello Huw, should have watched this bevore I planted my onions outside - the birds had a real digging party 🙈👩‍🌾🤗

[@Ricknubbit]

You can grow your own sets from seed by sowing in late summer too!

[@myrrhidian3166]

I tried this method last year and the onions were off to a great start, but I didn't realize at the time that I had purchased the wrong varieties for the latitude I live in (36°N). Short day onions start creating bulbs when the daylight length reach 10-12 hours, whereas long day onions start bulbing up at 14-16 hours. We never get more than 14.5 hours of daylight here, and thus my onions never got much bigger than the sets I planted. I'm going to try and stick to day neutral or short day varieties from now on, and give this method another go. Onions are biennial, so they are more likely to produce a flower stalk if planted from sets than if grown from seed, as it is technically their second year of growth. That said, my sets did not bolt last year, and my neighbors all grow from sets with great success.

[@yvonnesimonis5784]

For drying, I bundle the onoins up by say 10, and hang them ubder the roof of my garden house, where they dry up in 2 weeks. then I remove all dry leaves and store the onions.

[@user-yl6go7fe5n]

Расскажите пожалуйста , стало стем картофелем, который Вы сажали на картон. Какой урожай?

[@rrichards1210]

As far as I am aware we cannot buy onion sets in NZ, but I am interested in how they are produced. They are not just seedlings as they have no leaves. Are they like pups taken from the sides of bulbs?

[@JohnnyZBeatZ]

When do you plant onions

[@alakazoola1]

Oh heck. Just stick em in the ground. Nice soil and some sand. They love it. Put sets in in Feb. You out will be sorted .... That is .... If you live in north Yorkshire..... I never sow indoors ... From the lazy Yorkshire gardener 🤣

[@hilbre31]

Love this response - No noncing about 😂😂

[@alakazoola1]

@@hilbre31 😂

[@aithingxu953]

Hi , I have a question. If we harvest the leaves from the onion , it wont disturb the onion from growing ? I am growing onion now , I interest to cut the leaves too, but I afraid that will disturb the onion bulb.

[@terryrobins3867]

Great vid 👌 I see you have started to adopt liz's abrupt end to the videos 😁 ps, i hate it 😆 Keep up the good work 👏

[@Firevine]

Heh, I planted a bunch of sets yesterday evening actually. Around 50 onion and something like 100 garlic. Hopefully it pans out, because they may have sat around too long due to the absolutely bizarre winter we've had here. I like those seed trays quite a bit. I've been using the Jiffy 72 cell ones, and I think the tiny size of the cells has been detrimental, plus they're super flimsy. Edit: Awwww man, sold out of the 40H. Oh well, I'll wait for a restock.

[@levelliving3707]

My apologies, I can't find the link for your pots. I did click the link in the description box but that did not have any of the pots that you're showing in this video.

[@florencesofaly4883]

He puts them in with a clockwise twist. I wonder what would happen if you used a counterclockwise twist

[@gardeningwithprincess]

Onion sets never worked for me. They never get any bigger than a golf ball and ALWAYS bolt. I have much better success with seeds.

[@pompeydave]

Great video. Do they need to be stored in light or dark, or doesn't it matter?

[@HuwRichards]

Preferably dark but mine have been in light and absolutely fine but I wouldn't deem that as a recommendation!

[@Nirbhao4171]

❤

[@ThatBritishHomestead]

im growing them from see for the 1st time! I cant wait to see what happens. still did the set coz im a coward! hahaha! but i cant wait to see it

[@cherylbolivar10]

Thanks Huw Just an FYI. The video link for growing leeks didn't show on the screen.

[@downunderveggiegardendiaries]

It’s was all round a messy video.

[@bitazerbes9371]

Why do you not plant them out directly? I always plant the sets directly between rows of other plants to serve as a natural insect repellent. I find they grow well like this too. It just seems like an extra step to plant them in modules.

[@crtnyp]

Yea when I used sets they never bulbed and went to flower. Got a lot of green onions though!

[@MonkeyBoy-sd9vc]

Starts are better and just as easy. They are more likely to bulb and not bolt but just as easy to plant

[@nicolepapole]

Onion sets have never performed well for me. I thought they were better than starting seeds or using seedlings. Used seedlings last year and had my best, largest crop!

[@saschathinius7082]

The rotation works really well while planting them... but if it is clockwise or counterclockwise, it makes no difference... my partner is a "lefty" (counterclockwise, preferred) ... i'll do mine clockwise as a right-handed person... we tried, but it makes no difference.

[@Skooty68]

You forgot to mention that sets have a tendancy of bolting,so can't be stored too long afterwards.I tried sets last year for the first time in about 15 years....Never again,i'll stick with seeds

[@HuwRichards]

I'm sorry I've actually never had an experience with sets bolting in all these years! So this is new to me and will update all in a pinned comment soon. Always learning

[@upyoursassmonkey]

I've seen a few of them bolt, but it's not really a big issue for me. I've lost more to squirrels digging them out.

[@carolallison9685]

You might not have used the right onions. So i live in the southern us, and because of our daylight hours, i have to use different varieties than they do up north. If i use northern onions, they dont get the long light hours in spring and summer like ny does, so they either won't grow bulbs at all and just rot, or they'll bolt without forming much of a bulb.

[@plot1895]

I only used sets in 2022 to grow red and white onions. I didn’t have any trouble with bolting and the onions are still in very good condition now. Everyone’s growing conditions are so different it’s hard to compare across the country. I’m growing from sets again this year but I’m also going to grow Welsh onions from seed. I’m doing loads of spring onions too.

[@AlmostOrganicDorset]

Absolutely correct, sets are prone to bolting and do not store as well, they are biennial so they just want to bolt.

[@turtle2212]

Are you sure they must be turned clockwise? Is that the coriolis effect of our Nothern hemisphere?😉

[@kristifreeman5830]

Just found you

[@llorylloyd]

Hi sorry dumb question what is bolting

[@HuwRichards]

No such thing as a dumb question! Bolting is when a plant prematurely runs to seed

[@planetearth168]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤good

[@alanstewart7802]

I’ve never used sets and have always grown them from seed. There is far more choice of variety and they don’t suffer from disease, it isn’t difficult either.

[@clairegarnham2742]

All your seed trays are SOLD OUT. When are you getting more stock please?

[@acaciaiii]

Onions in my country is extremely expensive, suddenly.

[@marchantnick]

Just out of interest, why do you start them in modules and now just sow them directly outside? I know that birds can pull up sets, but some form of fleece or other cover should protect them long enough for the leaves to emerge.

[@jonathanravenhilllloyd2070]

So if every gardener I follow on KZbin brings out their own seed trays, do I have to buy ALL of them?

[@HuwRichards]

Of course not lol. You're an adult so you can choose whatever you want to buy and not feel inclined to buy them all

[@minternet1]

In Sweden a bag of onion sets costs much, much more so it's not an option for us "budget gardeners" 😬😳

[@SK-lt1so]

One issue with onion seeds is that they don't store well. You need to purchase new seeds every year.

[@rit1821]

The concept of onion sets don't exist in my country. It's either seeds or nothing.

[@WideCuriosity]

You need more stock. You're sold out of many module trays. Apart from that, I'd be interested in knowing how to grow onions that have the most bite. If one is growing onions, may as well make them strong tasting ones. Is it down to sulphurous soil, or is it purely the variety ?

[@downunderveggiegardendiaries]

That’s not a punnet it’s a bag!!

[@tvideo1189]

So, no mention at all of long day, short day or indeterminate varieties... which practically guarantees failure if you plant the wrong ones for your zone.

[@ingweking8748]

He is from UK. Zones doesn't matter.

[@tvideo1189]

@@ingweking8748 Obviously. But not EVERYONE if from the UK Sparky. And any US residents, or most other temperate climate residents, need to know the difference. And long-day/short-day makes a difference, even in the UK. Long-day are recommended in the north UK, short-day in the south UK. Even though those terms are not commonly used in Europe or the UK.