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, 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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  • 20 Organic 'White Lisbon' Spring Onion Plants Vegetables
    From ÂŁ7
    From ÂŁ7

    'White Lisbon' Spring Onion Plants

    Fast-growing and full of flavour

    • Lovely and mild (with just a little 'bite')
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner
    • Finely slice and toss over soy-braised pork
    • Harvest from April to October

    Currently out of stock

  • 'Red Baron' Red Onion Plants Vegetables
    From ÂŁ7
    From ÂŁ7

    Red Onion Plants

    Exquisite taste and colour

    • Intense onion flavour (amazing in salads)
    • Reliably prolific and stores well
    • Perfect for spicy fajitas
    • Harvest from August to September

    Currently out of stock

  • White Onion Plants Vegetables
    From ÂŁ7
    From ÂŁ7

    White Onion Plants

    Solid and utterly dependable

    • Golden onions with mild, crisp flesh
    • Heavy-cropping and ideal for the UK climate
    • The foundation for so many recipes
    • Harvest from August to September

    Currently out of stock

  • Growers' Talk

    How to Grow Onions

  • Musselburgh' Leek Plug Plants Vegetable Plants
    From ÂŁ7
    From ÂŁ7

    'Jolant' Leek Plants

    Everything you want from a leek!

    • Superb sweet, buttery taste
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner
    • Cook up in butter for a sumptuous side dish
    • Harvest from September to January

    Currently out of stock

  • Solent Wight' Garlic Plants Vegetables
    From ÂŁ8
    From ÂŁ8

    Garlic Plants

    Unlock new levels of flavour

    • Reliable in the UK climate
    • Exceptional taste and aroma, keeps for months
    • Grow in raised beds, pots or borders
    • Harvest from July to August

    Currently out of stock

  • Matador F1' Shallot Plants Vegetables
    From ÂŁ7
    From ÂŁ7

    'Matador F1' Shallot Plants

    High yielding and stores for months

    • A super reliable red-brown globe shaped shallot
    • Sweet and delicious caramelised in stews
    • Plant in rows in raised beds and veg plots
    • Harvest from July to September

    Currently out of stock

Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery

Meet Cameron

An experienced hand from seed to harvest

When it comes to veg plants, if Cameron doesn’t know about it? It ain’t worth knowing. They’re one of his horticultural passions and the quality of the produce he – well, produces – at the nursery is testament to that fact. Cameron pairs time-honoured horticultural traditions alongside the very best modern techniques in our fabulous, purpose-built nursery in Evesham. With a background that saw him place at the Grand Finals at the Young Horticultural Awards back in 2022, we’re proud to have someone that really knows his onions.

Need help picking?

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.

Happy plants make happy customers

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Ornamental Colour Collection Pond Plants
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Plants arrived in great condition and very promptly. Well established - much better than the ones I got at my local garden centre.

Monica Spence

| 24 May
Star Jasmine | Trachelospermum jasminoides Climbing Plants
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Yet again this company delivered good healthy plants, exactly as shown in photos, well packaged and within delivery time quoted. Recommend!

Jacqueline Burgess

| 2 Jun
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I continue to be so impressed with Roots. Their customer care, knowledge of their subject: from planting hedges to pruning roses and more, has been a great support.

Judy Lane

| 23 Oct
E 'Black Hamburgh' Indoor Grape Vine Soft Fruit
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The plant arrived looking vigorously healthy, which brings a smile to your face, extremely well protected in its packaging.

Martyn Hill

| 5 Jul
E 'Braeburn Hillwell' Apple Tree Fruit Trees
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As a non-gardener, I found my whole experience brilliant. Great information & advice available on the website, great range of products & prices are brilliant.

John-Paul

| 22 May
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Wonderful plants and great customer service... really surprised to find that the plants are better than those you would get at your local garden centre.

Gavin Wilcock

| 8 Nov

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