Onions are one of the most used vegetables and are simple to grow. You can grow from sets or from seed. Growing from sets takes less skill and less time and are also less likely to be attacked by pests and diseases. However, if you choose to grow from a set, make sure that they have been heat treated, otherwise they may go to seed early!

Sowing

Onion seeds are best sown 13mm (0.5in) into soil in rows 20cm (8in) apart. Sowing time is generally from late February to early April. When thinning, thin firstly to 5cm (2in) apart, and then later to 10cm (4in) apart.

If you want to grow these all year round it is better to sow seeds in cell trays or pots indoors.

If you’re planting sets, make sure they are 10cm (4in) apart and in rows that are 20cm (8in) apart. Plant sets a little later; from mid-March to mid-April. Place them in good soil so that the tip is just showing.

Growing

If the weather is dry, water occasionally and feel free to use a general liquid fertiliser with the water. Once the bulb has swollen, stop watering and feeding and expose the bulb to the sun.

If you see any flowers forming, remove them straight away!

Harvesting

Onions can be harvested when the foliage turns yellow and starts to shrivel. Simply lift them out of the ground on a sunny day and let them dry in the sun. Once dry, remove the foliage and store as you would onions you buy from the shop!

Simple!