One of the most popular crops for the gardener. The onion family covers such a wide range of types; from chives to spring onions. Spring onions can be harvested for both the bulb and the stems. If you're looking to grow your own onions but don't want to wait as long, try our onion sets or shallot sets. Early sowings can be made under glass from December for large exhibition types and up to February for other bulbing types. Sow into pots or seed trays, and lightly cover with a sprinkle of vermiculite or compost, and place at a temperature of 14°C. Greenhouse sown seedlings can be pricked out into individual pots or modular trays. Move plants to a cold frame in April to harden off before planting outside at 15cm apart. Outdoor sowings can be made in April.
Ailsa Craig produces large globe shaped bulbs with a mild flavour beneath golden straw coloured skin. This variety makes for a good exhibition onion but does not store for long periods and should be used in early winter.
EXHIBITION. Mammoth Improved is the perfect exhibition onion because it can be grown to over 2.5kg in weight, and has a lovely uniform shape to the bulb.
North Holland Blood Red onions have rich crimson outer skins and round generous bulbs. They can be eaten raw or roasted but are also versatile enough that they can be picked early as a salad onion. They make an excellent companion plant with carrots to help deter carrot fly.
Paris Silverskin onions are easy to grow and have a dual purpose. If you like a good size bulb on "spring" onions pull them young or leave to mature and crop as small onions for pickling.
Onion Red Baron is a beautiful deep blood red coloured onion with slightly flattened globe shaped bulbs that will keep into the new year. It has late maincrop maturity with good skin and thin necks.
Red Brunswick onion seeds. These are late maturing semi flat bulbs of dark red. They are overall, medium to large in size with excellent mild but pungent flavour.They are very decorative when sliced across the bulb to reveal which and red rings,so are ideal fresh in salads or cooked with pasta.