receive to our gardening guidebook ! If you ’re a fleeceable thumb enthusiast , you may be wondering about the best sentence to constitute onions in the UK . onion are a various and indispensable crop in any kitchen garden , add together flavour and astuteness to a wide-cut range of dish aerial .
The UK ’s climate can be somewhat unpredictable , but dread not , as we ’re here to offer you with expert advice on when to sow in your onion seed or set for optimum increase and a bountiful harvest .
In this article , we will search the dissimilar onion plant varieties , discuss the ideal planting times , and offer tips and tricks to ensure your onions thrive in British soil . So grab your gardening gloves and let ’s turn over into the worldly concern of onion planting in the UK !

Best onions to grow in the UK
In the UK , there are several good assortment of onions that are well - suited for develop . Here are a few popular choice :
It ’s worth noting that onion diversity can change in their adaptability to dissimilar regions and raise condition . Therefore , it ’s always a good idea to check with your local garden center or seminal fluid provider for variety that are specifically recommended for your area .
When to plant Onions in the UK
In the UK , the hardiness geographical zone are find by the Royal Horticultural Society ( RHS ) and are used as a guide to avail gardeners sympathise which plants are most potential to thrive in different regions of the body politic . The hardiness zones are establish on average yearly minimum temperature and range from zone 9 in the modest areas to zone 3 in the moth-eaten regions .
When it comes to planting onions in the UK , they are generally considered to be a coolheaded - season crop . Onions prefer cool temperatures and can tolerate a light frost , making them worthy for planting early in the season .
For most parts of the UK , the good time to implant onion plant is in other give , typically from tardy March to early April . However , this can depart slimly depending on your specific localization and the prevailing weather condition consideration .
To ensure successful Allium cepa polish , it is authoritative to prefer the right onion varieties that are suitable for the UK clime . Some popular onion plant variety for UK gardener include ‘ Sturon , ’ ‘ Red Baron , ’ and ‘ Troy . ’ These varieties are well - adapt to the UK ’s nerveless growing conditions and have sound memory board qualities .
Before planting onion , prepare the stain by dispatch any weeds and supply constituent matter such as compost or well - rotted manure . Onions favour well - enfeeble soil , so control skilful drainage to avoid waterlogged condition .
When planting onion , space them about 10 - 15 cm ( 4 - 6 inches ) apart , with rows around 30 cm ( 12 inches ) apart . Plant the sets or onion transplants at a depth of approximately 1 - 2 cm ( 1/2 - 3/4 column inch ) into the territory , making sure the pourboire is just scantily covered .
Allium cepa require veritable watering , particularly during juiceless spells , to keep the grease evenly moist . However , be conservative not to overwater as this can lead to rotting . Allium cepa also benefit from even weeding and the diligence of a balanced fertilizer during the farm season .
harvest time for onions typically occur from mid to late summertime , depending on the variety . When the onion tops start to ferment jaundiced and flop over , it is a sign that they are quick for harvest time . Carefully lift the onions from the ground , permit them to dry out in a well - ventilated sphere for a few week , and then stash away them in a cool , ironic place .
By follow these guidelines and considering your specific hardiness zone , you may successfully plant and grow onions in the UK , enjoying a bighearted harvest of refreshful , homegrown onions .
When to harvest Onions in the UK
The optimal time to glean onions in the UK is typically in late summer or early autumn , around August or September . This is when the onion tops start to wrench yellow and fall over naturally . It ’s important to wait until the cover have completely dried out and come over before harvesting to see to it that the onions have reached their full size of it and tone . Once the tops have fallen over , gently lift the onions from the soil using a garden fork or trowel , being careful not to damage the bulb . After harvesting , allow the onions to dry in a well - ventilate area for a few weeks before store them in a nerveless , dry position .
Other considerations
When growing onions in the UK , there are several considerations to keep in psyche :
By conceive these factor , you could increase your chances of successfully acquire onions in the UK .