In the UK, onion sets are small, immature onion bulbs, grown from seed the previous year and harvested early to be planted out in autumn or spring for a quicker and more reliable crop than starting from seed. They offer a convenient way to grow onions, especially for novice gardeners, and provide an earlier harvest, though there is a smaller variety selection compared to seeds and they are typically more expensive.
How they are made and why they are used
- Crowded growth: Onion seeds are sown densely, leading to small, undeveloped bulbs.
- Harvested early: These tiny bulbs are harvested before they reach full size.
- Ready to plant: Unlike seeds, they are already at a more advanced stage of growth, making them quicker and more reliable to sprout.
- Onion sets are an easy and fast way to get a harvest of onions, ideal for beginners.
- Planting sets can lead to an earlier harvest compared to growing from seed.
- Many sets are heat-treated to prevent them from bolting (producing a flower instead of a bulb), which is a common issue when growing from sets.
- Cost: Onion sets are generally more expensive than onion seeds.
- Variety: The range of onion set varieties is much smaller compared to the vast selection available as seeds.
- Bolting risk: Sets are more prone to bolting than seeds, though heat-treated varieties significantly reduce this risk.
The red onion sets I ordered came last week and were planted into part of Bed 1 and into bed 3 l normally grow a selection of colours in late spring but for now thats what I'm over wintering
Varieties of onion sets I have grown in the recent past include:-
Karmen from Mr Fothergill's.
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