Bulbous vegetables including onions, leeks, garlic and shallots are very easy to grow and store, making them one of the most straightforward types of vegetables to provide a year round supply for the kitchen.
They can be raised from seed or grown from mini bulbs.
For onions, sow them in the early spring for a late summer harvest, or midsummer for a spring crop of Japanese varieties.
Keep plants weed free.
There is no need to water unless the summer is particularly dry.
Spring onions scallions should be sown in succession from mid spring until early summer for a continuous supply throughout the summer months.
In no dig beds sow onions 2 inches apart, or, elsewhere, sow in drills, which are about half inch deep and 9 inches apart.
Thin out the plants to one inch apart once the seedling has straightened and later to 4 inches.
Rows of spring onions need be only 4 inches apart.
Onions raised in containers in the greenhouse should be planted out 4 inches apart.
Alternatively, plant onion sets in mid spring about 4 inches apart in rows that are spaced 9 inches apart.
Protect newly planted sets from birds.
Hoe the soil carefully to keep the rows of onions free of weeds.
For leeks, sow in a well prepared seedbed in drills about half inch deep and 9 inches apart, thinning the plant to 9 inches apart.
Pull up soil around the stems to blanch them.
Make sure that you do not get soil between the leaves.
Plant out greenhouse raised plants and transplant seedlings raised in a seedbed when 8 inches high.
Plant into 6 inches deep holes spaced 6 inches apart in rows twelve inches apart.
For shallots, sow as for onions, planting sets to be in the early spring 6 inches apart in rows 9 inches apart during early spring.
Keep the crop free from weeds, and water if necessary.
Apply mulch between the rows to conserve moisture.
For garlic, plant cloves during late winter or early spring about 1 inch deep in rows spaced 6 inches apart.
Treat as described for shallots.
Runner beans should be planted against a wigwam of canes to provide support as they grow.
Few things taste better than garden fresh beans.
Surpluses can be easily frozen for later in the year.
Use a dibber to make a hole in the ground.
The plant can then be dropped into the hole, and the earth firmed in around it.
They can be raised from seed or grown from mini bulbs.
For onions, sow them in the early spring for a late summer harvest, or midsummer for a spring crop of Japanese varieties.
Keep plants weed free.
There is no need to water unless the summer is particularly dry.
Spring onions scallions should be sown in succession from mid spring until early summer for a continuous supply throughout the summer months.
In no dig beds sow onions 2 inches apart, or, elsewhere, sow in drills, which are about half inch deep and 9 inches apart.
Thin out the plants to one inch apart once the seedling has straightened and later to 4 inches.
Rows of spring onions need be only 4 inches apart.
Onions raised in containers in the greenhouse should be planted out 4 inches apart.
Alternatively, plant onion sets in mid spring about 4 inches apart in rows that are spaced 9 inches apart.
Protect newly planted sets from birds.
Hoe the soil carefully to keep the rows of onions free of weeds.
For leeks, sow in a well prepared seedbed in drills about half inch deep and 9 inches apart, thinning the plant to 9 inches apart.
Pull up soil around the stems to blanch them.
Make sure that you do not get soil between the leaves.
Plant out greenhouse raised plants and transplant seedlings raised in a seedbed when 8 inches high.
Plant into 6 inches deep holes spaced 6 inches apart in rows twelve inches apart.
For shallots, sow as for onions, planting sets to be in the early spring 6 inches apart in rows 9 inches apart during early spring.
Keep the crop free from weeds, and water if necessary.
Apply mulch between the rows to conserve moisture.
For garlic, plant cloves during late winter or early spring about 1 inch deep in rows spaced 6 inches apart.
Treat as described for shallots.
Runner beans should be planted against a wigwam of canes to provide support as they grow.
Few things taste better than garden fresh beans.
Surpluses can be easily frozen for later in the year.
Use a dibber to make a hole in the ground.
The plant can then be dropped into the hole, and the earth firmed in around it.