Beat devastating downy mildew which can often ruin onion crops with this highly resistant variety. Handsome, pale-brown-skinned bulbs are ready to harvest in late summer and are excellent for storage.Sow seed indoors in individual pots or in a seed tray at a depth of 6mm (¼in) using free-draining, seed-sowing compost. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a polythene bag at a temperature of 15-20°C (59-68°F) until after germination which usually takes 10-12 days. Once germinated, grow on at 10-15°C (50-59°F) until all risk of frost has passed and plants are large enough to plant outdoors – usually at the 3-4 leaf stage – at a distance of 10cm (4in) apart. Cover with a protective netting or fleece to prevent attack from birds and insects. Water thoroughly after planting and as bulbs swell. Alternatively, sow outdoors mid March to mid April thinly at a depth of 1cm (½in) and a distance of 30cm (12in) between rows.