How to Sow Winter Hardy British Purple Spring Onion Seeds
Welldales’ Winter Hardy British Purple Spring Onion seeds are perfect for UK gardens, offering a vibrant pop of purple while delivering strong, pungent flavour. This dual-purpose variety can be harvested young or allowed to grow into full bulbs, providing a continuous crop all year round, even in colder months. Follow this detailed guide to ensure a successful yield of these hardy onions in your garden.
- Outdoor Sowing: For best results, sow the seeds directly outdoors from early spring (March) to late summer (August) once the soil can be worked.
- Indoor Sowing: Seeds can also be started indoors 4-6 weeks earlier for a head start in colder climates.
Where to Plant Winter Hardy Purple Spring Onions
- Soil Requirements: These onions thrive in fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost. For best results, maintain a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH of 6.0-7.0.
- Sunlight: Purple spring onions prefer full sun but will also tolerate partial shade, making them versatile for different garden conditions.
- Spacing and Depth: Plant the seeds at a depth of 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6-12 mm) in rows spaced 6-8 inches apart. Scatter seeds 3 per inch, thinning them as they grow.
Sowing and Germination
- Temperature: For optimal germination, maintain soil temperatures between 15-25°C. Warmer temperatures will help speed up germination, but these seeds are cold-hardy and can tolerate early spring conditions.
- Germination Time: Under ideal conditions, germination will occur in 10-14 days. Ensure that the soil remains moist but not waterlogged during this period to promote even sprouting.
Growing and Caring for Purple Spring Onions
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells. Avoid overwatering, as waterlogged soil can cause root rot. Onions have shallow root systems and will need regular watering, especially in hot weather.
- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer or organic compost when preparing the soil. Once the onions start growing, a light application of fertilizer every few weeks can enhance bulb development.
- Thinning: Once seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them out to allow space for growth—about 1 inch apart for young salad onions and 6 inches for fully matured bulbs.
Harvesting Purple Spring Onions
- Salad Onions: Harvest as young salad onions when they reach a height of around 6 inches (15 cm), usually about 60 days after sowing. Simply pull up the young onions as needed.
- Mature Bulbs: For full-sized, robust bulbs, allow the onions to grow for up to 90 days. Once the tops begin to yellow and fall over, they are ready for harvest. Pull them up and leave them to dry in a sunny spot for a few days before storing.
Overwintering and Succession Planting
- Winter Growing: These onions are hardy enough to survive UK winters. Sow the seeds late in the growing season to overwinter them for early spring harvests.
- Succession Planting: To ensure a continuous supply of fresh onions, sow seeds every 2-3 weeks from spring to late summer.
Common Questions About Growing Purple Spring Onions in the UK
- Can I grow Purple Spring Onions indoors? Yes, they can be grown indoors or in a greenhouse, especially in colder regions, or to extend the growing season.
- How long does it take to grow Purple Spring Onions? Depending on the harvest time, young onions can be ready in 60 days, while full-sized bulbs can take up to 90 days.
- Are Spring Onions Easy to Grow from Seed? Welldales purple spring onion is a relatively easy plant to grow from seeds. Their fast germination and harvest time, makes spring onions an ideal starter vegetable for beginners.
