How to grow onions and shallots
Looking to start growing your own vegetables? Look no further! Our guide to growing onions and shallots is the perfect place to start
Onions and shallots are some of the easiest vegetables to grow and are a staple ingredient in many of our favourite foods like soups, pasta sauces, quiches and salads - making them a must-have in any grower’s garden
They’re the perfect low-maintenance crop if you're new to growing your own vegetables and fit neatly in rows between other crops if you already have a busy veg patch
Enjoy home-grown onions all year-round with our guide on growing, harvesting, and storing onions
KNOW BEFORE YOU GROW:
- The main difference between onions and shallots is that shallots grow in clumps of bulbs, while onions grow as individual bulbs. Other than that, they’re planted and grown the exact same way
You can grow onions and shallots from seed, but it’s easier and faster to grow them from sets (smaller bulbs), which is what this guide covers
There are many varieties of onion. If you want a specific kind be sure to buy early, as popular ones often sell out quickly!
They like warm, sunny spots in well-drained soil kept free of weeds, and only watered during dry spells
You can’t keep onion/shallot sets for planting the following year so make sure you plant all your sets as soon as possible
YOU WILL NEED
Your choice of onion and shallot sets
Vegetable growing compost
Granular fertiliser
Fleece or netting (as needed)
A large container (at least 45cm wide and deep) if you don’t have lots of ground space
KNOW YOUR ONIONS AND SHALLOT SETS
Red, white or yellow? Tangy, spicy, mild or sweet? Onions come in various of sizes, colours, and flavours. You can try out a new variety every time you grow. To start you off, here’s some of our favourite kinds:
Onion Centurion
A popular classic with a good flavour and straw yellow in colour, this strong growing variety produces a heavy early maturing crop
Onion Red Baron
Highly recommended for its exceptional flavour, this variety gets more popular every year. Suitable for planting early in the season, it has an attractive red skin colour ideal for use in salads
Shallot Golden Gourmet
Known for its great flavour, each set matures into a cluster of tasty shallots for a bumper crop, no matter the size of your space
WHEN TO PLANT ONIONS AND SHALLOTS
Plant onions and shallots from mid-March to mid-April. You can start preparing your grounds for planting as early as February, if the weather allows
WHEN TO HARVEST ONIONS AND SHALLOTS
Onions are ready toharvest from early to mid-summer, around late June to early July
OUR GARDENING EXPERT'S TOP TIP:
One thing to remember is that, depending on where you are in the country, these times will be slightly different depending on the weather. In areas with milder weather, the timescales may be a little earlier, and for those with harsher weather, it could be a little later
Step by Step Guide: HOW TO PLANT ONIONS AND SHALLOTS
Choose a warm, sunny spot and prepare the soil for planting by raking in granular fertiliser or well-rotted garden compost. If you’re planting in a container, fill with peat-free soil-based compost and mix in your fertiliser and compost
In rows of 12 inches/30cm apart, plant the onion or shallot sets so the pointed tip pokes just above the surface. Space onion sets 4inches/ 10cm apart, and shallot sets a little wider at 6 inches/15cm. Firm the soil and then water well. If using a container, plant them the same way
Cover newly planted sets with fleece or netting to protect them from hungry birds
Keep watering when needed, particularly during any long dry spells. Weed the area regularly to ensure the plants grow well
Harvest in around 100 days, when your veggies are big enough to eat, or when the foliage has turned yellow/brown and started to wither. To harvest, carefully lift the bulbs with a fork, being careful not to cause any damage as this may lead to them rotting in storage. If you do damage any, don’t throw them out! Eat damaged onions/shallots straight away
Dry your onions and shallots in the sun or a ventilated shed for 2 weeks, then store them in a light, cool, dry and well-ventilated place. They keep well for several months if stored properly, so you don’t need to worry about them rotting once you’ve collected your bountiful harvest!
For more expert advice and top tips speak to a team member at your local Dobbies centre