The Difference Between Seed and Set Onions

Are you an onion fan new to gardening? When planning to plant, there is always the major decision, should you plant onions from seed or set? We’ve outlined the pros and cons of both to help with your decision process.

Seeds

• Very cost-effective
• Slower growing because they have a shorter season
• Tend not to form a large cooking onion due to shorter season
• Produce a durable bulb when thinned
• Can be started indoors and moved to the garden for a longer growing season
• Heeman’s carries a variety of onions from seed including Red, Sweet, Spanish and Bunching.

Sets

• Easiest option
• Can be planted earlier
• Establish themselves quickly and are more disease resistant
• Compete better with weeds and grasses
• Will grow a large cooking onion
• Produce a less durable bulb than seeds
• More expensive
• Heeman’s carries Stuttgarter and Spanish set onions.

Ready to plant or still have some lingering questions about onions or any other plants? We invite you to come visit us so our Daymakers can help you pick the right onions for your garden, or to answer any further questions!