Growing your own onions, shallots and Garlic is an excellent way to save money. Growing your own means that no chemicals have been involved and it’s surprisingly easy to grow!
When They Arrive
Remove from the packaging carefully. If you are unable to plant immediately, store in a cool, dry, dark, frost-free area away from draughts.
Soil Type
Onions and Shallots
Onions and Shallots are best planted in fertile soil with free drainage, you can improve on this prior to planting by adding organic matter and grit to the soil. If adding fresh manure to your soil this needs to be done several months before planting the Onions and Garlic, as they should not be grown in soil that has fresh manure added. Add a general fertiliser to the soil about a week before planting.
Garlic
Garlic is best planted in cultivated, well-drained soil. As with the Onions and Shallots add a general fertiliser to the soil about a week before planting.
Planting Out
Onions and Shallots
Both Onions and Shallots are relatively easy to grow. Space your Onions and Shallots approx. 6” (15cm) apart or if you are planting in rows which are spaced 8-12” (20-30cm) apart, plant them 4” (10cm) apart. Do not push the set into the ground, it is better to make a small hole, place the set in the hole and then cover it with soil so that the necks are just above the soil level. Keep the soil weed-free and water sparingly.
Garlic
Garlic is also relatively easy to grow. Plant approx. 8” ((20cm) apart in holes approx. 4” (10cm) deep. with the pointed side facing up. Cover completely with soil. Keep the soil weed-free and water sparingly. If your Garlic plants start to sprout flowers, cut them off straight away as the plant will waste energy on producing the flowers and seeds instead of the cloves.
Harvesting
Onions and Shallots
If you are going to store your onions, wait until the foliage is beginning to turn yellowy-brown and is starting to bend over before pulling. To store, place your onions on a rack that allows the air to flow all around them. Once they are dry, string them together and hang them in a dry, cool, well-ventilated area. If you wish to use your onions straight away you can pull them at any time.
Garlic
Garlic is ready to harvest once the foliage begins to turn yellow-brown and is starting to bend over. Once harvested allow them to dry off and then store in a dry, cool, well-ventilated area.