growing onions

(from 'How to Grow Onions' - see below)

Onions have been hard to date by archaeologists, but it’s generally thought that onions have been eaten since prehistoric times and have been cultivated for at least 5000 years. Onions grew wild and were indigenous to many parts of the world.

Healthy Reasons
As well as being a valuable food crop, onions have been used in herbal medicines for many centuries. They have been proved to balance insulin levels, therefore reducing blood pressure. They are one of the few vegetables that can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease through lowering cholesterol and high blood pressure. Onions are a good source of B vitamins, vitamin C and dietary fibre.

There are many different types of onions you can grow
-Everyday kitchen onions
-Large Spanish onions
-Spring onions
-Everlasting onions
-Tree onions
-Red onions
-Shallots
-And plenty more!

Thompson and Morgan (UK) have some delicious onion sets available including this
Onion 'Vulcan' (Spring Planting)
British breeding of early brown onions
Golden skinned and deep, rounded bulbs
Store for up to 12 weeks after harvesting!

Generally onions like a sunny spot, but check on the growing recommendations on your seed (or set) packet before you start. They won’t like water-logged soil, so make sure the ground is well-drained.

Onions also tend to like a fairly firm ground and the soil should be prepared a few months or weeks in advance if possible, to allow it to settle.

Dig over the soil and add well-rotted manure or compost if necessary. Remove any perennial weeds, large stones and non-organic debris and rake over the soil. Leave for a while to settle.

Regular onions can be started from seeds or ‘sets’. Seed should be started early in the year to allow enough growing time. It is notoriously difficult to get regular onion seeds to germinate and generally ‘sets’ are used. ‘Sets’ are small onions (or shallots) bred specifically for growing.

Pop each onion or shallot into a hole and cover with soil, leaving a tiny tip of the bulb showing above the soil. If birds are a problem in your area, you may need to protect the onion sets at this stage. I’ve seen birds swoop down and simply lift my onions straight out of the ground almost as soon as I’d planted them!

NB: If you use a net, make sure it’s wildlife friendly.

Firm down the soil around each onion set and water well.

How to Grow Onions is a super quick and inexpensive download taking you from seed to table! Choose from your preferred retailer here -

Healthy Living Books - Growing Guides

Growing Onions

Happy Gardening!