The Hunter River brown onion is a reliable early variety that produces large, globe-shaped bulbs with light brown skin. Known for its excellent storage qualities, it’s a top choice for Autumn sowing, and as a fantastic keeper, it can stock your kitchen with fresh onions for months after harvest. These onion seeds thrive in fine, rich soil and love an open, sunny position, making them easy to grow either in vegetable patches or raised beds. Its firm texture and mild, versatile flavour make it suitable for countless recipes - raw and fresh in salads, tossed in melted butter for French onion soup, roasted, grilled or fried. Pair your Hunter River brown onions with other vegetable seeds from Mr Fothergill’s range to grow a productive kitchen garden. Or, for the easiest possible start, explore our seed starting kits and find everything you need to sow, grow, and enjoy.

How to Sow Seeds

Method: Direct sow
Growing notes: Sow Hunter River brown onion seeds directly outdoors in a well-prepared garden bed with full sun and well-drained soil. Before sowing, enrich the soil with organic material and a pre-planting fertiliser for best results. Sow the seeds thinly, 6mm (1/4in) deep in 30cm (12in) rows, cover them with fine soil or compost and keep them moist as they grow. Thin the seedlings early to 2cm (1in) apart and later to 10cm (4in) apart to give them room. Keep the growing area weed-free and harvest when the tops begin to yellow and fall over and the foliage has fully died back. Dry your Hunter River brown onions before storing them.

Growing Needs

Sunlight: Full sun
Water requirement: Moderate

Plant Characteristics

Easy to grow: Yes