Onion Sets

Our range of Onion Sets are chosen for their excellent flavour and high yields ensuring a plentiful supply for the kitchen. Mr Fothergill's quality sets and bulbs are carefully selected and will be shipped at just the right time, allowing you to plant out.

How to Grow Onions

Onion sets are easier to grow than onions from seed, they are less susceptible to disease and will do reasonably well in poorer soils - and because the bulbs are already partly formed they will mature earlier. Plant them about 10cm(4in) apart in rows 30cm(12in) apart. Push them into well-prepared soil, so that just the tip is showing above ground. If planted shallowly, birds are liable to pull them out. Onions, shallots and garlic thrive in an open position and on fertile, well-drained soils. All three are best rotated on a minimum three-year cycle to prevent the build-up of soil-borne pests and diseases.

Despatch of our autumn and winter planting Alliums

Onions, Shallots and Garlic are harvested from June until early August, depending on the variety, the climate and weather conditions, this may vary. In order for the consistency of the bulbs we supply to be ensured and of the very best quality, we are allowing more time for the following:

- Drying bulbs out for longer in specific conditions for better longevity and reducing any likelihood of rotting, both during despatch and after planting.

- For our strict quality control processes to be carried out thoroughly to ensure only the very best quality bulbs reach our customers.

Many years ago it was normal to plant autumn planting Alliums in September, however due to the ever changing climate and weather conditions in the UK, planting in October and November (even in December in the South and during a mild year) is now frequently recommended by us and our expert growers and suppliers….there is now much less of the rush that there once was and this enables us to ensure the processes mentioned above are precisely followed ensuring we will only send you top quality bulbs for immediate planting in your gardens and plots.