Which onions sets are suitable for autumn planting? Our winters seem to be milder, so there is a chance that onions, such as Hercules, may grow well when planted in the autumn?

Sue asked the question:

Have just completed 1st year as an allotment holder. Last year we planted onion sets in November/December and they did quite well. Have now seen that autumn planting should be for Japanese onions. I have bought Hercules onion sets. Is it too early to plant these now?

Thompson & Morgan sent this advice:

Hercules is essentially a spring planting onion variety and planting it out of season could cause the bulbs to ‘bolt’ prematurely. Bulbs would probably not over- winter successfully either.

One of the Japanese varieties ‘ Senshyu’ in particular

over-winters very successfully, ready to harvest in June before a maincrop variety is ready.

Japanese onions are suitable for autumn planting