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.
Need help picking?Sort and filter
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.
Need help picking?
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.
