First sowings of the season, Onions

The seed sowing has finally started as is traditional, with onions. Here you see, about a third of the number we will eventually need. The variety is Hystar which we found to be a strong grower and stores well. For an early crop we grow Ailsa Craig which puts on good growth, has excellent flavour but will not keep past Christmas.Normally Ailsa Craig is sown first but due to supply difficulties we had to go ahead with the main crop first.
The trays are under economy grow lights controlled through a timer which comes on during economy seven hours (12.00am to 7.00am) plus 4 hours to give twelve hours of daylight. This will be extended to over 18 hours of light as the seedlings develop. Many people use heated benches with artificial lighting but we found that the lamps give enough heat to maintain 18c plus so additional heating would be unnecessary.