Sow onion from seed

Onion seeds need a well prepared bed. Choose a new sunny site that did not grow onions last year. Dig thouroughly in the autumn, incorporating a liberal amount of manure or compost. Lime if soil is acid.

In early spring, rake the bed over and add a general fertiliser. The soil needs to be a fine texture.

Sow seeds thinly in rows 30 cm apart and 1.5 cm deep.

Thin seedlings in two stages. First when they are about 3-5 cm apart when the seedlings are standing up, and then again to 12 cm apart. Ensure soil is moist and dispose of all seedlings to deter onion fly.