overwintering onions

In contrast with garlic, which is planted deep, overwintering onion sets are pressed into the surface of a lightly hoed bed.

Varieties used ' electric (red) and senshui gold (white).

As with garlic, we hope that the sets (little onion bulbs) will establish a strong root system while the soil remains warm, before putting on their hollow stems in the spring.

The ripening bulbs will haul themselves to the surface to bask in the June sunshine before being harvested.