Onion

Variety:

Rijnsburger 4

Approx 250 seeds

Sowing:

Onions can be planted either from seed or from sets.

If sowing from seeds, 4-8 seeds should be sown approximately 1-2cm deep with a thin dusting of compost on top.

Seeds will take approx 6-12 days to germinate and can be transplanted approximately 8-10 weeks after sowing.

Onion sets can be planted approximately 1cm into the soil about 10cm apart making sure to leave room between rows to allow your onions to reach a good size.

Harvesting:

Onions will be ready to harvest around 100 days after planting.

An onion is ready for harvesting when the green neck of the onion has completely fallen over and the leaves are turning yellow.

Information:

Onions prefer a firm and well drained soil but will tolerate a variety of soil conditions.

Their roots are shallow and so aren't over efficient so they will need to be kept watered and soil should be enriched with compost or manure. 

Onions need a sunny site to grow. 

Sowing usually occurs between March - April but some varieties can be planted in between Sept - Nov.

Onions will need to be kept weed free.

Pests are primarily birds who will pull the plants out of the ground. Other problems encountered are white rot which will wipe out the onion from the base and can remain in the soil for years afterwards. If your crop suffers white rot, you should not plant onions in the same place for around 10 years afterwards.

Nutritional Information:

Onions contain Vitamin C and B6 as well as folate and are great for assisting your immune system and its anti-inflammatory properties. They also contain allicin which helps antibacterial activity.

Fun Fact: 

A lot of people rely on onions mainly for its contribution to flavour in food but the vegetable has incredible health benefitting properties in addition to making meals taste better! There is an old wives tale about leaving a raw onion beside your bed at night when suffering from a cold or flu as the onion is said to draw away and absorb bacteria and germs.