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How to grow Spring Onion in the UK

Allium fistulosum

Spring Onion growing in a UK garden

Spring Onion (Allium fistulosum) is a vegetable that grows well in UK gardens. Quick and easy. White Lisbon and Performer are bulletproof. This guide covers when and how to sow Spring Onion, the soil and position it likes, watering and feeding, companion planting, and when to harvest.

Type
Vegetables
Difficulty
Easy — good for beginners
Position
full sun (6+ hrs direct)
Sow
March, April
Harvest
June, July, August, September, October

When to sow & grow Spring Onion

Sowing and harvest window through the year (UK):

Jan
Feb
Mar
Sow
Apr
Sow
May
Jun
Harvest
Jul
Harvest
Aug
Harvest
Sep
Harvest
Oct
Harvest
Nov
Dec

Soil, position & care

Soil
Fertile, free-draining soil enriched with garden compost
Soil pH
6.5–7.0 (neutral)
Position
Open, sunny site
Sowing depth
1 cm
Spacing
Thin to 2.5 cm, rows 15 cm
Sowing
Sow little-and-often Mar–Aug
Growing
Keep weed-free and evenly watered; mulch to hold moisture
Harvest & upkeep
Pull as needed once pencil-thick
Watch for
Onion fly, downy mildew

Companion planting for Spring Onion

Grows well with:

Beetroot Carrot Lettuce Strawberry Beef Tomato Cherry Tomato

Keep apart from:

Asparagus Pea Broad Bean Dwarf French Bean Lupin Mangetout Garden Pea Runner Bean Sugar Snap Pea Sweet Pea
Grow Spring Onion this year

Add Spring Onion to your free 12-month plan and get watering & sowing reminders — no sign-up needed.

Spring Onion FAQs

When should I sow Spring Onion in the UK?

In the UK, sow Spring Onion in March, April. Sowing across these months gives the plant the right soil temperature and day length to establish well.

What grows well with Spring Onion?

Spring Onion grows well alongside Beetroot, Carrot, Lettuce, Strawberry, Beef Tomato, Cherry Tomato. Good companions can deter pests, attract pollinators or make better use of space.

What should you not plant near Spring Onion?

Keep Spring Onion away from Asparagus Pea, Broad Bean, Dwarf French Bean, Lupin, Mangetout, which can compete with it or share pests and diseases.

How much sun does Spring Onion need?

Spring Onion prefers full sun (6+ hrs direct).

When is Spring Onion ready to harvest?

Spring Onion is typically ready to harvest in June, July, August, September, October in the UK.

Is Spring Onion easy to grow?

Easy — good for beginners. Quick and easy. White Lisbon and Performer are bulletproof.

More vegetables to grow

Radish Lettuce Cherry Tomato Beef Tomato Cucumber Courgette Runner Bean Dwarf French Bean