Onion Seeds

Variety of Onion Seeds to Grow

Like many vegetables, there’s many varieties of onions to choose from, and each have their own benefits, flavour, and uses! Yellow onion varieties are the most common, which are easy to grow and widely used in cooking. White onions are milder with a slightly sweeter flavour, which makes them perfect for eating fresh on salads or on a classic BBQ burger. Red onions give a beautiful colour to cooking and salads alike, whilst spring onions are perfect for stir fries and giving a fresh kick to dishes.

Onions are versatile and widely-used ingredient, so you’ll find you can save yourself some money and reap the rewards of superior flavour when growing your own, which is also incredibly satisfying!

Planting and Onion Seed Care Tips

If you’re planting onion seeds, start them indoors or in a greenhouse in seed trays before planting out after the last frost date. With onion sets, you can plant directly into the ground at this time too!

Fork some compost into your veg patch to add some nutrients, and plant your onions about 1 inch/2.5cm deep in the soil, 1 inch apart, in rows spaced 30-40cm apart. Keep the soil well watered in hot weather using a watering can. Your onions are ready to harvest when the tops turn yellow and start to fall over – exciting! Grab your garden fork and gently prise the onions out of the ground before leaving them in a dry, ventilated area to ‘cure’ before using them or storing them further.

FAQs

When is the best time to plant onion seeds?

You can plant your onion seeds indoors around 8-10 weeks before your last frost date to give them a head start. You can also plant direct into soil after your last frost date, but starting early tends to yield better results.

How often should I water onion seedlings?

Keep the soil moist, but not soaking. Misting the soil with a handheld garden sprayer can help you get the perfect balance.

Can I grow onions in containers?

Certain varieties of onions are happy in containers: smaller ones, specifically! Pop them in a large pot or planter with compost and give them a decent amount of sun. You may find you need to water pots more frequently, so keep an eye on the soil and top up when necessary.