How to grow your own onions — theguardian.com

Can onions be beautiful? I believe they can. I have fond memories of some Red Baron I pulled from the earth four or five years ago, when they had barely begun to swell. Almost white at the roots, shading to purple, then green, they glowed. I occasionally show the photo to friends. Perhaps one day you'll know such happiness. You'll need some sunny, well-drained ground – as much of it as possible, since so many dishes call for onions and they store well. (It's entirely possible to grow onions in containers, particularly densely packed spring onions, but it's not the best use of limited space.) Ideally you'll have dug in plenty of manure a few months before, but if not you can freshen it up with a generous helping of compost. You may also have to adjust the pH with lime, as onions hate acid soil (visit the Royal Horticultural Society for advice.

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