Onion Sets vs. Seedlings vs. Seeds: Which Is Best for Your Garden
Choosing between onion sets, seedlings, and seeds can be confusing. Each method has pros and cons depending on your climate, garden size, and growing goals. After 30+ years gardening, here’s my guide to help you decide the best way to grow onions.
Onion Seeds
Pros:
- Widest variety selection
- Cost-effective for large gardens
- Control over planting timing
Cons:
- Slow to establish
- Requires indoor starting or early sowing
- Vulnerable to damping-off and pests as seedlings
Onion Seedlings (Transplants)
Pros:
- Faster start than seeds
- Easier to handle and plant
- More reliable than direct seeding in short seasons
Cons:
- Limited variety availability
- Higher cost than seeds
- Requires nursery or indoor start
Onion Sets
(Onion bulbs grown from seed the previous year and harvested as small bulbs)
Pros:
- Quick and easy to plant
- Establish quickly and mature early
- Great for beginners and short seasons
Cons:
- Limited variety options
- Can be prone to bolting (premature flowering)
- Sometimes carry disease or pests
Which Should You Choose?
- For large gardens and variety selection, start from seeds.
- For quicker harvests and ease, use sets.
- For a balance of speed and variety, choose seedlings/transplants.
My Experience Tip
In my own garden, I start seeds indoors for the best control and variety, but use onion sets when I want an early, reliable crop with less fuss.
Onion Sets vs. Seedlings vs. Seeds Comparison Chart
| Method | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seeds | Wide variety, cost-effective, planting control | Slow start, needs indoor sowing, vulnerable seedlings | Large gardens, variety lovers |
| Seedlings | Faster than seeds, easier to plant, reliable | Limited varieties, higher cost, needs nursery or indoor start | Balanced speed and variety |
| Sets | Quick, easy, early maturity | Limited varieties, prone to bolting, may carry pests/disease | Beginners, short seasons, quick harvests |
Onion Growing Hub
Start here: The Ultimate Onion Growing Guide: From Seed to Harvest
🌱 Planning & Varieties
- How to Choose the Best Onion Varieties for Your Region – Match flavor, storage, and climate to your garden.
- Daylength and Onion Growth: Understanding Short, Intermediate, and Long-Day Varieties – Pick the right type for your latitude.
- Growing Bulb Onions: Pick the Right Variety for Your Garden – Choose the right variety for where you live.
- Onion Sets vs. Seedlings vs. Seeds: Which Is Best for Your Garden? – Pros and cons of each planting method.
🌿 Planting & Starting
- Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Onion Seeds Indoors Successfully – Timing and troubleshooting for strong transplants.
- Planting Onions Seeds and Sets – Here’s how to get started.
- How to Grow Onion Sets – You can grow your own onion sets from seed for next year.
- Growing Onions in Containers: Soil, Pots, and Care Tips – Small-space planting success.
- How to Grow Green Onions, Spring Onions, and Scallions – Learn how these alliums differ.
- How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Welsh Onions – Learn to grow these mild-flavored members of the onion family.
🌞 Care & Maintenance
- Watering Onions for Optimal Growth: Techniques and Tips – How much and how often to water.
- Feeding and Fertilizing Onions: Organic and Synthetic Options – Nutrient needs for strong bulbs.
- Companion Planting with Onions: Plants to Grow With and Avoid – Beneficial pairings and plants to avoid.
- Onion Family Growing Problems: Pest, Disease, and Problem Controls – Natural control of thrips, maggots, and more; identifying and treating fungal or bacterial problems.
🧅 Harvest & Storage
- How to Harvest Onions at Peak Maturity for Best Storage – Signs onions are ready and how to cure.
- How to Harvest and Store Onions – Here are the basics for harvesting and storing onions.
- Onion Storage Techniques: Keep Your Harvest Fresh for Months – Best environments for long-term keeping.
🍳 Using Your Onions
- Cooking with Onions: Recipes and Tips to Bring Out Flavor – From fresh salads to caramelized dishes.
- How to Make Onion Soup with No Recipe – Enjoy this tasty classic!
