A superb Japanese bunching onion bred for its sweet flavour and low pungency. Sow in succession for harvests during summer and autumn. Fantastic in salads and stir-fries. (Allium cepa)

Sow outdoors late winter/early spring just as soon as the ground is workable. Sow thinly in an open sunny site 2cm (1in) deep in 30cm (12in) apart rows.

Thin out when 5cm (2in) high to 2½ cm (1in) apart. After six to eight weeks thin plants still further so that those remaining are 10-15cm (4-6in) apart.

Start to harvest by using the thinnings make tasty additions to a salad. Hoe and hand-weed as soon as the seedlings emerge. Mature plants can be pulled in the autumn and used in a similar fashion to leeks.