At what stage are onion sets safe from birds?
January Man
Posts: 212
Morning all
My first year ever growing onions. In fact, I hadn't intended to but then someone kindly gave me a pot full of onion sets and I couldn't resist!
I read that newly planted sets need to be protected from birds, who like to come grab them and deposit them elsewhere in the garden. So I fashioned together some protection with netting and it has worked a treat. However, we now need to use the netting and sticks elsewhere in the garden, but I don't want to leave my onions defenceless prematurely.
So... At what stage are onion sets safe from birds?
Photos below. The second one shows the most mature of the onions, whilst the last one shows some of the slower to develop ones.
Many thanks and hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend.
Max
Posts
Great stuff. Thanks for the advice and thanks for the kind words Muddle-Up.
What is funny is how many different explanations are around for why the birds do it. I don't think I can remember them all, but some that I do:
- They are trying to get the onions themselves
- Using them for their nests
- To get insects/slugs/worms from beneath the onion
- Because they mistake them for worms
I'll add more as I remember them. But in the meantime, seeing as my question is answered, perhaps we should go off topic and turn this into a "Reasons why birds steal onion sets" thread!