Vegetables & Onions
With vegetable and onion bulbs, you can take your summer dishes to the next level. From aromatic garlic and planting onions to juicy rhubarb and delicious asparagus, grow the tastiest vegetables right in your own garden!
Tips for growing vegetables in your garden
Growing vegetables in Ireland’s climate is rewarding with the right approach. Seed potatoes do best in well-drained soil—plant in early spring and cover shoots to protect from frost. Garlic thrives when planted in autumn, needing a sunny spot and good spacing. Asparagus takes patience but rewards with years of harvest; plant crowns in rich, sandy soil and let them establish before picking. Horseradish is hardy but invasive, so grow it in a contained space. Rhubarb loves cool weather—plant in spring or autumn, enrich the soil with compost, and avoid harvesting the first year. With good soil care and regular weeding, your garden will flourish.
How to harvest your home-grown vegetables?
Harvesting vegetables at the right time ensures the best flavor and quality. Seed potatoes are ready when the foliage turns yellow—gently dig them up to avoid damage. Garlic should be harvested when the leaves start to wither; lift the bulbs carefully and dry them in a well-ventilated area. Asparagus can be picked from its third year—snap spears when they reach about 20cm, stopping in early summer to allow the plant to recover. Horseradish develops strong flavor after the first frost; dig up the roots in late autumn and replant small sections for next year’s crop. Rhubarb is best harvested by twisting and pulling the stalks rather than cutting, avoiding any withered or thin stems. Regular harvesting encourages new growth and keeps your garden productive throughout the season.
How to store your home-grown vegetables properly
Proper storage keeps your home-grown vegetables fresh for longer. Seed potatoes should be cured in a cool, dark place for a few days before storing in a breathable sack in a dry, frost-free spot. Garlic needs to be dried thoroughly, then stored in a well-ventilated area or braided and hung in a cool, dry place. Asparagus is best eaten fresh but can be kept in the fridge with the stalks in a jar of water or blanched and frozen for longer storage. Horseradish roots stay fresh in the fridge for weeks when wrapped in a damp cloth or can be grated and frozen. Rhubarb stalks last in the fridge for a few days but freeze well when chopped and stored in airtight containers. With the right storage methods, you can enjoy your garden’s harvest well beyond the growing season.
Tips for growing onions in your garden
Onions prefer well-drained, fertile soil, so enrich the ground with compost or well-rotted manure before planting. Sets (small onion bulbs) are ideal for Irish gardens, as they’re easier to grow than from seed. Plant them in early spring, spacing them around 10cm apart, ensuring they get plenty of sunlight. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and weed regularly to prevent competition for nutrients. Onions benefit from a light feed of nitrogen in early growth, but avoid too much, as it can lead to lush tops and small bulbs.
How to harvest your home-grown onions?
Harvest onions when the tops start to yellow and fall over, usually in late summer. Onions are ready to be harvested when their tops begin to yellow and flop over, typically in late summer. Gently lift the bulbs from the soil using a fork or hand tools, taking care not to damage them. After harvesting, lay the onions out in a warm, dry, and well-ventilated spot to cure for a couple of weeks. This process helps the skins toughen and reduces the risk of rot during storage. Once cured, trim the tops and roots, and store the onions in a cool, dry place with good airflow, such as in mesh bags or baskets. Properly harvested and stored onions can last for months, making them a great crop for year-round use.