We were looking at 2 types of onion sets (Autum Champion*†, Senshyu), 3 sorts of garlic (Kingsland Wight*, Rose Wight†, Messidrome†) and 1 type of shallot (Longor*).
The varieties marked * we regard as "tried and tested" to yield results we like. But we also want to try new things.
But at a total around £55 it seems just a bit much, I'm sure some of these prices are a couple of quid higher than last year. Inflation, cost of living, totally understand why but it's painful all the same.
I think we will instead reduce to just items marked † and try planting from our own #allotment harvests of Kingsland Wight and Longor shallots. It would be great if we can build up numbers of these to be self sufficient with them. (Much worries about quality and disease?)
We were already planning to switch to onions from seed because all red onions we try from sets bolt - so will experiment with that this season in the hope of replacing the Autumn Champion with a variety (or two!) from seed.
End goal: not needing to buy any bulbs/sets again (unless disaster strikes).
Would be great to also save our own onion seed too. We will use "Real Seeds" and try and be organised about that, but it maybe a bit beyond us to keep them "true" (and takes 2 seasons). Seeds are cheap enough anyway, for now.
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