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Expertly Grown in the UK
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Shallots and Onion Plants

Home grown onions are a must in the kitchen garden and our growers have chosen the very best traditional, red and spring onion varieties for salads, cooking and even the show bench. Growing onions is easier than you think and planting a selection of varieties will reward you with a healthy harvest that will keep for months. Sustainably grown on a family run farm in Lancashire, your onion, shallot and garlic plants are sent to you at exactly the right time to plant out and can be harvested as and when you need them.

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South Downs National Park

Meet Josh

Slow grown veg from the sunny South Downs

Our vegetable plants are sown on a family farm in Lancashire, then nurtured into strong young plants by Josh in the sunny South Downs before they rock up in your garden. By selecting only the strongest and tastiest varieties, Josh makes sure you get a headstart on your plot, with impressive crops and no waste.

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Which onions should I choose?

Which onions should I choose?

For a handy supply of essential ingredients whatever you’re cooking, plant a variety of onions and shallots close to the kitchen door. They take up so little space in your plot that you can grow some of each. The quickest to grow are spring onions. Garlic, shallots and red or white onions can be planted in spring for a late summer or autumn harvest or started in autumn and overwintered, keeping your plot productive and providing a late spring or summer crop.

Growers' tips

Growers' tips

When growing onions, choose a sheltered spot in full sun, plant them in well-spaced rows and keep the soil moist and well-drained. It’s even possible to grow onions in containers, and spring onions will thrive in pots. Bulb onions are ready to harvest when the leaves start to turn yellow and wilt. When this happens, leave them to dry in the sun for a few days before removing the foliage and storing in a cool, dry place. Our growers have everything you need to know for the best crop ever!

Using your onions

Using your onions

Onions are a kitchen essential, and now you can pick the best for every dish! Spring onions are perfect in salads or chopped and sprinkled over Chinese and Korean food. Versatile white onions have a mellow, classic onion flavour and are best for soups, casseroles and caramelising. Crisp, vibrant red onion is best eaten raw in salads and salsas or as a star ingredient of Tex-Mex food such as tacos and quesadillas.

Shallots and Onions FAQs

When should I plant onions in the UK?

Onion sets or plants can be planted in the UK from March to April for a summer/autumn harvest or from September to October for a spring harvest.

How far apart should I space onions?

Your onion and shallot plants should be spaced about 10-15cm apart. If you’re growing them in rows, leave around 30cm between these.

Do onions need a lot of water?

Onions need to be watered regularly, especially during hot or dry weather. Once or twice a week should be enough, and you shouldn’t need to water at all throughout autumn and winter.

Should I fertilise onions?

You’ll get the best from your onions by using a general purpose plant food when you first plant them, then again once you see the bulbs start to swell.

How do I know when to harvest onions?

When your onions are ready to harvest, you’ll see the leaves turn yellow and flop over. The tops of the onions themselves may also be visible as they peep through the soil. To harvest, ease them out of the ground gently with a trowel or fork and pull them up by hand. They’ll need to dry out in a warm, well ventilated place for a few weeks if you want to store them.

Can I grow onions in containers?

Onions can be grown in containers, but they need to be at least 30cm deep and have good drainage for the bulbs to develop fully.

How do I store harvested onions?

Once your onions have dried out, store them in a cool, dry place with good ventilation. You can hang them in a mesh bag (or pair of tights) or braid the stems to give them plenty of airflow and reduce the risk of mould. Find more useful tips and tricks in our growers’ complete guide to onions.

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