Why now is the perfect time to grow alliums, from garlic to leeks and onions

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Garlic and shallots, also alliums, can also be planted now and are easy to grow. Shallot bulbs, small, sweet and mild, are surprisingly expensive in shops but simple to grow.…

Leeks are at their best now, onions are looking good in store, vegetable growers are planting overwintered onion sets and there is still time to plant ornamental onions. It’s a fine time indeed for members of the allium genus, whose grouping can best be described by the familiar pungency they release when crushed or cut.

Leeks have tested gardeners this summer by their need for frequent watering, but now, with the return of the rain, will grow slowly all winter. Even quite skinny ones will bulk up as April approaches.

After April, any unused ones will start to flower – this makes them useless for the kitchen, but their flowers are relished by pollinating insects. In fact, allium flowers are some of the best flowers for insects: each globular flower head contains numerous little florets rich in pollen and nectar.

Overwintered onion sets come close, in the South anyway, to being the perfect…

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