* Plant onion sets 10cm (4in) apart in rows 10cm (8in) apart from mid-March to mid-April.

* Plant shallots 15cm (6in) apart in rows 23cm (9in) apart from mid-February to mid-March.

 

* Gently push the sets into soft, well-worked soil so that the tip is just showing and firm the soil around them.

* Birds can be a problem lifting the sets so carefully remove the loose skin at the top of the set before planting.

Aftercare

 

* Water if the weather is dry and give an occasional feed with a general liquid fertiliser.

* Mulching the soil will help conserve soil moisture and keep down weeds.

* Remove flower spikes as soon as they are seen.

Harvesting

 

* Onions can be harvested when the foliage turns yellow and starts to topple over. Leave for two to three weeks and then carefully lift with a garden fork.

* Those for storage must be firm, disease free and then dried for two to three weeks, either laid out in the sun or in a shed if the weather is wet.

* The foliage of shallots will start to turn yellow in July. Lift the bulb clusters, separate them and allow to dry.