Horticultural aide-mémoire

Sow onions

The onion originates from sunny, sandy lands, so its progress in a British kitchen garden is rather gradual. To ensure success, an early start is recommended. Choose a good doer, such as ‘Ailsa Craig’, favourite both of plate and show bench, and sow the seeds thinly in a tray of seed compost in gentle heat and plenty of light. Water the tray, then let it be. The needle-andthread bright-green leaves will soon appear to cheer you up, then you will need to prick them out into little pots or modules. You will reap the reward for this initial zeal in August. SCD