cheaper, crops planted from sets (small, immature onions in an arrested stage of growth) are easier to get going.

Soil should be dug and manured a couple of months before planting (don’t manure just before putting your sets in as it can cause onions to rot). I’ll plant from mid-March, weather-permitting, but order y 1 sets now, while stocks are plentiful.

I’m starting with ‘Hercules’ an F1 hybrid and RHS Award of Garden Merit winning variety. When your onion sets arrive, check bulbs are firm (bin any soft or mouldy ones) and store in a cool frost-free place until it’s time to plant.