For a perfect red onion for storage with strong skins and a sumptuous deep rich colour you would be hard pressed to improve on Magnate F1. Growing to around 130g (that’s 4½ oz) these are medium sized quality bulbs. Slice them for white rings with red layers through to the centre. Price for 60 seeds
SOW: from February to April. Your early sowings are best in a greenhouse where you can keep the temperature at 14°C, using pots or seed trays sow seed on the surface and lightly cover with a sprinkling or vermiculite or compost. In April you can sow in pots or outdoors: sow seed thinly in shallow drills 15mm deep, with rows spaced 30cm apart
GROW: your greenhouse sown seedlings can be pricked out into individual pots or modules. Move plants to a cold frame in April to harden off before planting outside 15cm apart. Your April outdoor sowings can be thinned gradually until plants are 15cm apart. Onions don’t like weeds and prefer being in full sun, apart from that they will just get on and grow.
EAT: for fresh use just lift and use when they are at the size you want. For storage wait until the tops bend over naturally, ease the bulbs up gently and allow to dry for about 10days (put them in a greenhouse or even a porch to keep them away from rain). Alternatively you can slice or dice and freeze your crop.
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