Sowing seed

• Can be sown outdoors somewhere they will get plenty of sunshine

• Ensure there are no stones, weeds and weed roots in soil before sowing seed

• Soil needs to have good drainage

• The soil should be moist before sowing so water soil day before if dry

• Sow seed 1cm deep with about 3cm between seeds. If sowing more than one row then space the rows 20cm apart.

• Keep the soil weed free, ensuring you don’t damage plant in the process

• Water plants in morning 

• Remove any flower stems that may appear — this is the onion trying to bolt (note red onion more likely to bolt than other onions)

• When stem turns yellow and falls over, gently loosen onion in soil and leave for another 2 weeks.

 

Transplanting

• When plants are approx. 1 - 2 months in the soil (well established) recommended to transplant (moving to different location for optimum growing)

• Soil to transplant into needs to be well drained, fertile soil (e.g. compost) in warm weather, in a sunny position 

• Water if weather is dry but do not overwater 

• Ensure soil around plant is kept weed free

• To encourage growth and deter pests, feed every 3 - 4 weeks with organic fertiliser (e.g. dried seaweed fertiliser, sachets available on sow.ie)

 

Growing Time: 

• Approx. 5 months after sowing

 

Harvest: 

• Harvest approx 2 weeks from the point that stem turns yellow and falls over

• Harvest on sunny day, lift from earth. Can be eaten directly after harvest but if drying to store, leave exposed to sun/wind for 3 -5 days until tops have dried. 

 

Tip: Perfect indoor or balcony plant!