Onion Growing Guide
Essential tips for growing onions successfully.
VEGETABLE GARDENING
Lapsa
6/21/20245 min read
Onions are one of those vegetables found in every kitchen worldwide, not just because of their attributed flavor, but also because of their versatile use. Whether you are an expert farmer or a beginner, growing onions can be rewarding. What does it take to grow onions well?
When to Sow Onions
The timing of sowing onions largely depends on your local climate and the type of onions you are growing. Generally, you can start onions from seeds, sets (small bulbs), or transplants.
Seeds
Germination time for seeds is approximately 10 to 20 days. In mild climates, you can also sow seeds directly outdoors in late fall for an early spring harvest. It also depends on the variety of onion; the white onions are sown from mid-August to mid-September to gather them in the spring of next year. Red and yellow onions are sow from February to April to gather them at the beginning of autumn.
It will take about 3 to 4 months from sowing to harvesting.
Sets
Plant onion sets outdoors as soon as the soil is workable in early spring.
How to grow onions from seed
Indoors: Sow seed in flats or small pots filled with seed-starting medium. Plant seeds ¼ inch (about 1 cm) deep and keep the soil evenly moist. Temperature should be 65–75°F (18–24°C).
Outdoors: Prepare the soil by removing weeds and adding compost. Sow seeds 1/4 inch (about 1 cm) deep and space them 2 inch (5 cm) apart in 12 inch (30 cm) rows.
How to plant onion sets
Prepare the garden bed by loosening the soil and mixing in compost.
The plant sets 1 inch (2,5 cm) deep with the pointed end up, spacing them 4 inches (10 cm) apart in rows 12 inches (30 cm) apart.
Plant onion from transplants
Transplant hardening off: gradually expose the transplants to outdoor conditions over a week.
Plant transplants 1 inch (2,5 cm) deep and 4 inches (10 cm) apart in 12 inches (30 cm) rows.
Transplant Onions
The transplanting of onions is an easy process but requires some care, at least so the roots are not destroyed, since they are pretty sensitive.
Reduce transplant shock: plant on a cloudy day or in the early evening.
Water adequately to seedlings before transplanting.
Carefully dig the holes or trenches in the well-prepared bed.
Remove the seedlings carefully from the pots so the root ball is not disrupted.
Spread the seedlings' roots widely as you put them into the holes.
Fill the soil back in and gently firm it up around the base of the plant.
Water the transplants well.
When are onions ready to harvest
Onions are ready to harvest when the tops start to yellow and fall over, typically 90–150 days after planting, depending on the variety.
Gently loosen the soil around the onions with a garden fork.
Pull onions from the ground and brush off excess dirt.
Spread the onions in a warm and dry place and leave them there for 2–3 weeks
Important considerations when growing onions
Soil
Onions prefer well-draining, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0.
Sunlight
Onions need full sun and at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Watering
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water thoroughly once a week, more often during dry spells.
Weeding
Keep the area weed-free to reduce competition for nutrients.
Fertilization
Onions are heavy feeders. Apply a balanced fertilizer at planting time, and side-dress with nitrogen-rich fertilizer every few weeks until the bulbs begin to form.
What onions like and dislike
Likes
Consistent moisture
Rich, well-draining soil
Ample sunlight
Mulching to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Dislikes
Include poorly drained soil, heavy clay soil, and competition from weeds
Wet summer days
Overcrowding
When to harvest onions
Depending on their intended use, you can harvest onions at different stages. Harvest green onions, also referred to as scallions, when the tops reach a height of about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm). Bulb onions are harvested when the tops begin to yellow and fall over. Cure them in a warm, dry place for 2–3 weeks to develop the best flavor and storage potential.
What is a good companion plant for onions
Companion planting is growing some crops with others for mutual benefit. Onions, with their pungent aroma and natural pest deterrents, make good companion plants for many garden plants. Here are some of the best companion plants for onions:
Good Companion Plants
Carrots:
Benefit: Onions deter carrot flies, while carrots deter onion flies. This mutual deterring keeps the environment beneficial for the plants.
How to grow: Alternate rows of onions and carrots, set far apart.
Lettuce:
Benefit: Onions repel aphids and other pests attracted to lettuce. In addition, the shallow roots of lettuce cannot compete with the deep roots of onions.
How to grow: Interplant lettuce between rows of onions or use it as a border around your onion bed.
Beet:
Benefit: Both onions and beets are great companions because their nutritional needs don't overlap. Onions also deter some of the most common pests that attack beets, such as aphids and flea beetles.
How to grow: If you like, alternate rows of onions with beets or mix them all up together.
Tomatoes:
Benefit: Onions repel aphids, thrips, and other pests that would otherwise make a home on tomatoes. Other than this, onions will not shade tomatoes from the sun; both will be able to get adequate sunlight.
How to grow: Plant onions at the base of your tomato plants, allowing enough space to expand tomato roots.
Chamomile:
Benefit: Chamomile attracts beneficial insects. It also improves flavor and growth in onions while acting as a ground cover that aids in soil moisture retention.
How to Grow: Plant chamomile sporadically throughout your onion bed or as a border around it.
Spinach:
Benefit: Onions and spinach are good companion plants because the presence of onions can discourage pests, such as leaf miners, which will sometimes feed on the spinach. Spinach has a short growing season and may easily be harvested before the onions need the space.
How to grow: Sow the spinach seed in the space between the rows of onions.
Plants to Avoid
Although there are many compatible neighbors for onions, there are also plants that do not thrive in their vicinity. Avoid the following when locating your onions:
Beans: Onions hamper the growth of beans.
Peas: Similar to beans, onions can negatively affect pea growth.
Sage: This herb is not compatible with onions.
Varieties
Onions come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and flavors, making them suitable for a variety of culinary applications.
Yellow onions are versatile and good for long-term storage. Examples include Yellow Sweet Spanish and Walla Walla.
Red onions: mild and sweet, great for salads and grilling. Examples include Red Baron and Red Zeppelin.
White onions are crisp and sharp, ideal for salsas and Mexican dishes. Examples include White Sweet Spanish and White Lisbon.
Shallots: small, sweet, and mild, used in gourmet cooking. Examples include French Red and Dutch Yellow.
Onion growing is a satisfying and worthwhile activity when followed through planting, transplanting, and harvesting using these guidelines. Remember to focus on soil conditions, watering, and spacing of the onions. Happy gardening.day!
Frequently asked questions
What are spring onions? What are green onions?
Spring onions are also known as scallions or green onions. These are the tender greenery of onions harvested before the bulbing of the bulb begins. Spring onions possess long green leaves and carry their identification through small white bulbs. Because spring onions have a relatively mild flavoring compared to that of matured onions, they can be used in various kinds of cuisines.
How many calories are in an onion?
The calorie contents vary, depending on the size and variety. Here are the rough calorie counts for different sizes of raw onions:
- Small Onion (approx. 110 grams): 44 calories.
- Average Onion (approx. 150 grams): 60 calories.
- Large Onion (approx. 230 grams): about 92 calories.
Values are for raw onions only. Cooking methods and added items, like oil or butter, can significantly increase the calorie amount.
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