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Heritage Seed Library – Onion ‘Up-to-Date’ Variety Information This variety originally came from R Brittan Seeds in Northampton and is at least 80 years old. In 1948, the Ministry of Agriculture announced that it had good White Rot resistance (MAFF Bulletin 2, 1948). When the UK joined the Common Market, the Ministry of Agriculture deemed that ‘Up-to-Date’ was the same as ‘Bedfordshire Champion’ (which has little resistance to the disease!) and, therefore, discarded it. It is apple-shaped with rather square shoulders and a rounded base. The skin is a deep yellow and the flesh creamy. A good storage onion. Growing Instructions Onion Allium cepa Onions grown at this latitude are sensitive to day length. When sown in spring, they will only grow foliage until the longest day. As the days shorten all effort goes into producing bulbs. Onions prefer an open sunny site but can tolerate a little shade. Sowing indoors To maximise the season, sow seed in modules with protection in late winter and early spring. Harden off and plant out when they are about 10 cm tall. Sowing outside Sow directly into the ground, around April or as soon as the soil is warm enough, at a depth of 1 cm in rows 30 cm apart. Thin or transplant to a spacing of about 4 cm if you want medium-sized bulbs, or 7-10 cm for larger onions. Looking after your onions as they grow Hoe regularly when the plants are young. Watering is necessary only in the driest weather. Do not water once bulbs have formed to ensure good ripening. Harvesting When onions stop growing the leaves fall over and turn brown. Allow them to fall naturally. Bending tops over prematurely damages the bulbs and impairs storage – instead gently pull the onions up. In dry weather spread them out in the sun for the skins to ripen. In wet conditions dry off under cover. All tops and skins should be rustling and dry before placing in net sacks or stringing them into ropes and storing in a dry, frost-free place. Seed saving Replant some bulbs the next spring if you wish to obtain seed, but only grow one variety into its second year as they cross readily. Grow at least sixteen plants to seed. Onions do not cross with leeks. Glossary Modules: Multi-celled seed trays – are available in plastic and polystyrene. Seedlings grow in individual ‘mini-pots’ so their root system is not disturbed on transplanting.

Onion 'Up-to-date' growing with Carrot 'red elephant'

This document was produced with support from the Food for Life Partnership

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