Onion Sets
Homegrown, Fresh & Full of Flavour Onions from Johnstown Garden Centre
Onions Straight from Your Garden
Onions are one of the easiest and most rewarding crops to grow at home, offering rich flavour, long storage life, and versatile culinary uses. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener, planting onion sets ensures a strong, reliable harvest with less hassle than growing from seed. At Johnstown Garden Centre, we provide high-quality onion sets, carefully selected for vigorous growth and excellent flavour, making it simple to grow your own onions in Ireland.
Choosing the Right Onion Sets for Your Garden
We stock a diverse range of onion varieties to suit every taste, from mild and sweet to bold and robust. Yellow and white onions are perfect for cooking and storing, while red onions add vibrant colour and a milder, slightly sweeter taste to salads and dishes. With both spring and autumn planting options, you can enjoy a continuous supply of fresh, homegrown onions throughout the year.
How to Plant Onion Sets
Onion sets are small, immature bulbs that grow quickly and with minimal effort. For the best results, choose a sunny location with well-drained, fertile soil. Plant onion sets 2-3cm deep, with the tips just poking above the surface, and space them 10-15cm apart to allow room for bulb development. Keep the area weed-free and ensure consistent watering, particularly in dry periods.
In Ireland, spring-planted onion sets go into the ground from March to April and are ready for harvest by late summer. Autumn-planted sets establish over winter and provide an early summer crop, giving you fresh onions months before store-bought alternatives.
Caring for, Harvesting & Storing Your Onions
Onions are low-maintenance crops that require little intervention once planted. Regular watering during dry spells will support healthy growth, while keeping the soil weed-free ensures the bulbs receive maximum nutrients. As onions mature, their green tops will begin to yellow and naturally fall over, indicating that they are nearing harvest time.
When the tops have fully died back, carefully lift the onions from the soil and allow them to dry in a warm, well-ventilated area for two to three weeks. This curing process is essential for long-term storage, as it helps toughen the outer layers, preventing spoilage. Once properly cured, store your onions in a cool, dry place where they will remain fresh for months, giving you a steady supply of homegrown flavour long after harvesting.
