When to plant Spring Onions in Newcastle upon Tyne

Allium cepa

Spring Onion
Spring Onion · Allium cepa

Spring onions are fast-growing, mild-flavoured onions grown for their green stems and small bulbs. They are easy to grow and can be sown in succession for a continuous harvest. Hardy varieties can even be sown in late autumn to overwinter for an early spring crop. Spring onions don't take much space and grow well in containers or between slower-growing vegetables.

30 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Newcastle upon Tyne · last frost ≈ 25 Apr

Sow outdoors March to May, harvest April to October. Frost risk October to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Growing guide for

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

Step-by-step guide to growing spring onions sown outdoors in spring and summer.

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds Outdoors

    21 Mar to 30 May Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    March to May is the main period to sow spring onions in Newcastle upon Tyne. Sow seeds in rows about apart and deep. Keep the soil moist and weed-free. For a continuous supply, sow new batches every few weeks.

  2. 02

    Thin Seedlings

    19 Feb to 9 Jul This range covers each batch as it reaches this stage

    Once seedlings are a few centimetres tall, thin them to about apart. Remove the weaker ones carefully to avoid disturbing the remaining plants. Thinning gives each spring onion space to grow to a good size.

  3. 04

    Harvest

    26 Apr to 2 Oct This range covers each batch as it reaches this stage

    Spring onions are usually ready to harvest about 160 days after sowing. Pull them up once they reach pencil thickness. Harvesting can start from April and continue until October for later sowings. Spring onions are best used fresh, as they do not store for long.

Companion plants

Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Spring Onion.

Good companions

Plants to avoid

Why companion planting matters

Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.

Spring Onion guides by town

See how Spring Onion timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.