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Homegrown onions are the unspoilt ! Come find out how to grow onions from source , seedlings , or sets . This pathfinder will teach youeverything you require to have intercourse , like how to choose the best onion plant varieties for your garden , how to commence onions from ejaculate , when and how to establish onions ( admit in container ) , and on-going care . We ’ll also underwrite how to reap , cure and store onions too . With these tips , you ’ll be harvesting your own great beautiful onions in no time !

As unknown as it may sound , onions are one of my favorite crops to grow . They ’re fairlyfuss - free , last a long time in storage , and are really various to habituate in the kitchen . In plus to using new onions for preparation , I also love tomake onion powder , quick pickled onions , use them inhomemade flame ciderand more !

A row of harvested yellow onions with their greens still attached are laying out flat on a table.

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A hand is holding a cured yellow onion. Beyond is a wicker basket full of dried and cured onions.

Growing Onions: An Overview

When to Plant Onions

onion are generally considered acool season cropbecause onion seedlings like to get their life when stipulation are still coolheaded . Then as the weather warms up , they shift to sharpen their vim on electric light constitution .

Springis the good time to constitute Allium cepa in most places . If you hope to develop onion from seed , be inclined to get a jump start and plant germ during wintertime ( about 8 to 10 weeks before your last fountain frost date ) , discussed more to postdate .

We ’ve create handyplanting calendarsthat show on the nose when to depart onion seed indoors , plant seedlings outside , or direct sow seeds outside forevery growing zone !

Many young onion seedlings growing in rich soil.

Gardeners withmild winterscan also plant onions in gloam to harvest in the winter or early springtime ( starting from seed in late summer ) . Here on the temperate Central Coast of California , we can grow onions essentially year - round !

In frigid climates , it ’s also possible to plant onion plant set in fall , let them tooverwinter , and harvest mature onion in the bounce to other summer . In that case , plant onion sets when the soil is still warm – at least a month before your first fall frost appointment . That fall in them prison term to establish tidy roots before they go dormant for the wintertime .   Add mulch over winter for trade protection .

Types of Onions

Short-day, long-day, and day-neutral onions

Onions are categorise as short - sidereal day , long - daytime , or Clarence Day - neutral reckon on thenumber of daylight hoursrequired to actuate unspoiled bulb formation . So , a headstone to successfully get onion is to opt the right variety of onion to plant for your specific location andlatitude!Otherwise , onions may miscarry to grow electric-light bulb .

See themapbelow too see what type is best for you . If you ’re located tight to a boundary , have fun try out with a broad variety .

Starting with Onion Seeds, Seedlings or “Sets”

There are three principal ways to grow onions : from seed , seedling , or by purchasing Allium cepa sets . Every gardener has their taste between the three ! We personally care to grow onions from come , or from seedlings we bribe at a local baby’s room . Onion sets are the most particular and likely to have issuance .

TIP : If you ’re produce onion plant from sets , either social club online or chitchat a small topically - owned nursery . bounteous box garden center are ill-famed for selling the wrong motley for the given area !

Growing Onions from Seed

To grow onions from seeded player , you may either begin seeds indoors , sow in seeds now outdoors , or expend the winter sowing method ( depending on where you hold out ) .

To get a jump start on the maturate season , I prefer to start onion indoors . Then we have onion seedlings quick to transplant in the garden right away in outflow . northerly gardeners withshort uprise seasonsshould also take up onion plant seeds indoors , since planting seeds outdoors wo n’t give the onions enough time to mature .

Option 1: Plant Onion Seeds Outside

Option 2: Starting Onion Seeds Indoors

Option 3: Winter Sowing Method

A terminal option is to use the ‘ winter sowing method ’ : when you plant onion seeds inside acovered containeroutside , almost like a niggling mini greenhouse . ( See photo below . ) Winter sowing combines the pros and con of the other option : you wo n’t get quite the same other advantage as start indoors , but it ’s almost as low - maintenance as immediately inseminate seeds outdoors .

To originate onions with the winter sowing method acting , start onion seed alfresco during the winter – between former December to February in most locations .   The seminal fluid will stay inactive while its cold but sprout in spring once the conditions are right . Then , you could graft the already inure - off seedlings to their terminal location in the garden .

Choose a wide shallow container withdrainage holesthat can be overcompensate with a clear or unintelligible dome or hat ( or , one that already has one ) . contribute at least a duad inch ofseed - starting soilto the bottom , evenly sprinkling onion semen inside , and then lightly insure the seed with about ¼ to ½ inch of soil . Add at least one or two air holes for external respiration to the cover song .

Learn when to plant seeds by using this planting calendar for Zone 9, it has many different vegetables lined up on the left side of the chart and all of the months of the year listed on the top of the chart. Each vegetable has different colored lines that correspond with when to start seeds inside, transplant outdoors, and plant seeds outside, along with corresponding last frost date and first frost date where applicable. The lines start left to right, showing what months you should do each particular task depending on the season and where you live.

Set the container in a sunny location , water as needed to maintain the soil moistness , and wait for the seeds to germinate . Once the seeds sprout , open up the container lid on warm day ( but close them back up on cold night ) . If snowfall or ahard frostis a threat , move the container to a protected positioning or cover it with a blanket for insulation .

How to Plant Onion Sets

How to Plant Onion Seedlings (Transplanting)

Before transplanting , be sure toharden offindoor - evoke seedlings to foreclose transplant shock . ( you could skip this step if you ’re set glasshouse seedlings or if you used the winter sowing method . )

Sun and Soil Requirements

industrial plant onions in a location that receivesfull sun , or at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day . If your garden is on the shady side , choose myopic day variety to encourage medulla evolution . Some salmagundi of green onion can also grow in fond shade .

Onions farm most merrily inmoderately rich , well - draining land . Amend operose clay soil with organic thing ( e.g. compost ) or potting soil to improve drainage .

Fertilizing Onions

Before planting , amend the soil with a balanced , mild , obtuse - release constitutive fertilizer . I also commend lightly working in well - agedcompostand / orworm castingsto the top span inches of soil .

Avoid eminent - nitrogen plant food . extra nitrogen will encourage plentiful green top growth , but at the expense of the light bulb .

It ’s also a peachy estimation to immunize the soil withmycorrhizae , either by applying some to the grease or watering with a mycorrhizae solution after transplantation . Mycorrhizae are good fungi that promote healthy root development and food uptake for all plants . However , onion plant are especially reliant on root - mycorrhizal partnership to take up atomic number 15 that ’s essential for their outgrowth !

DeannaCat is holding many bunching Walla Walla onions with both hands. They have fibrous roots with bulbs that are slender and slightly bulbous with brown and yellow coloration leading to white stalk with green leaves. Below lies some nasturtium growing along with some your turmeric leaves growing from a wine barrel. Grow onions and harvest them at many different stages.

During the growing time of year , we also irrigate our onions at least once withhomemade compost teato provide extra nutrients . Or you could usedilute fish plant food , watered in once they get down to organize bulb .

Water

Onions have shallow root organization , so it is important tokeep them well - watered . A lack of uniform water will result in small onion bulb . We use automateddrip irrigationin all our raise beds . The onions ( and all the other plants in the garden ) have it off a consistent watering schedule !

Adding a level ofmulcharound the onions is an excellent way to prevent the grease from easily drying out . We love to use compost as mulch . It is duple purpose since it helps fertilise the stain as well as retain even moisture .

Remember , right drainageis important too . sluggish grime or standing water system increases chance of onion plant moulder .

A diagram of the US with three separate regions that are color coded based on the types of onions that will grow in each area. The northern US is in the long-day area, the middle is intermediate-day and the south is short-day. There is a description of each onion type below the map with needed hours of sunlight, latitude, and growth habit.

Growing Onions in Containers

onion are prosperous to grow in pots too . In accession to conjure up garden beds , we ’ve planted Allium cepa in various containers over the years including inEarth Box planters,15 - Imperial gallon grow bagsand halfwine barrel planters .

To grow onions in a spate , follow the same tips provided in this guidebook : use passably rich but well - debilitate soil ( such as quality potting soil ) , put up full sun , quotidian urine , and mulch to preclude the dirt surface from drying out .

Ensure the container hasexcellent drainagesince onions will rot if the soil becomes water - log . Asimple wet metercan assist you square up how wet ( or dry ) the filth in your pot is before watering again .

A two part image collage. the first image is onion seedlings growing in small containers. The second image is a hand holding small red onion sets.

FAQ : What size smoke is just for onions ?

That depends on how many onion plant you need to grow ! Keeping in mind that onions should be space 4 to 6 inches apart , I recommend using awide containerwith ample surface surface area ( as opposed to a deep narrow pot ) to maximize the number of onions you’re able to engraft . Onions have evenhandedly shallow roots , but pick out a bay window that is at least 8 to 10 inches cryptic .

Onion Pests and Disease

Very few pests are draw in to onion . Rather , onion plant and other alliums actuallyrepel many pest insects !

On the other hand , onion are susceptible to a number ofdiseasesincluding botrytis , bacterial rot , and downy mould . Using goodcrop rotationpractices is key to preclude onion disease . We also look out varieties that are described to have good natural disease resistance – particularly those resistive to downy mold , which is vulgar in our garden . See a all over inclination of onion diseases and control measureshere .

Growing Onions as Companion Plants

onion make excellent companion plant in the garden ! Since they of course dissuade pest insects including aphids , flea beetles , cabbage inchworm , ant , and carrot rusting flies , onion plant can beinterplantedamong other pestis - prone crop to help provide natural , organic pestilence command . For example , we ’ve had success observe our Swiss chard plants almost whole aphid - destitute ( usually a big issue ) by tucking miscellaneous onions between them .

Onion Flowers and Bolting

An onion plant will grow a orotund flowering spike for a couple different ground . One , if a fledged onion plant is provide to pose in the garden too long past times it ’s prime harvest windowpane , it will then start to blossom with the intention of develop seed .

Allium cepa may alsoprematurelysend up a flowering stalking ( even before it forms a nice medulla oblongata ) , also known as “ bolt “ . Onions usually go off in reply to stress , triggered by a sudden insensate snap , uttermost heat , drouth or discrepant water , or insufficient daylight .

If your onions go to peak , do n’t punctuate ! you could still eat around the problematic core of the Allium cepa bulb . However , flowering onions wo n’t last well for foresighted - condition storage , so they ’re prize campaigner tomake onion plant powderto uphold them !

A small manilla envelope is tipped on its side, small black onion seeds are spilling out from the depths of the package in a straight row.

Removing the flowering stem can also help an Allium cepa re - concentrate on lightbulb development . We often just leave a few onions to flower in the garden . They ’re beautiful , and the pollinators make out them .

Harvesting Onions

you may technically reap and eat onion plant at any stage . I love belt down alfresco to break up a fresh young onion plant ( or even just a couple greens ) for dinner party as - needed ! Yet formaximum store potentialas teetotal bulbs , you must appropriate them to grow until they reach full due date and then properly cure them .

Onions are mature and ready to harvest once the medulla oblongata reach the have a bun in the oven size of it for that assortment , and the greentops draw weak , thin , and start to flop overjust above the bulb . The greens will also start to turn yellow or brown , specially at the tips .

If your onion tops do n’t start to fall over on their own but you desire to harvest them soon ( e.g. they ’ve turn over a mature size , but freezing weather is in the prognosis ) you may also manually bend or bear on the husk over a few days prior to harvesting to hasten the process .

DeannaCat is using scissors to cut the top portion of onion seedling greens, leaving about 5 inches of growth below. There are many onion seedlings in the 6 cell pack which will be separated and divided into individual onion seedlings at transplant.

When the metre is correct , harvest home onions bygently pullingthe onion up out of the soil . Then leave them lying out on top of the soil to dry out for a Clarence Shepard Day Jr. or two in the Dominicus . Alsoleave the solution and topsintact ! Do n’t foreshorten those off until after curing .

onion plant are susceptible to bruising , and take forethought to not unexpectedly puncture the skin or flesh . They wo n’t hold up in storage if damaged .

How to Cure Onions

Curing onions is the process of grant them to finish drying and varnish after harvest home , which is substantive for onion plant to last in foresighted - term teetotal storage !

In very hot , juiceless climate , those couplet days onions spend lying and drying in the field after harvest home may be sufficient curing time . Yet most gardeners further heal their onion by relocate them to adry , shaded , well - air out area for 7 to 10 days .   you could cure onion in a draughty garage , carport , terrace , shed or even right out of doors ( as long as it is n’t too humid ) .

Hang onions from a homemade dry out wheel , or lay them out unconditional on a telegram wrack or screenland . Curing onions on a self-colored tabletop can also suffice as long as there is copious gentle wind circulation . Again , take care not to dingdong them up in the process .

DeannaCat is holding a bunch of the tops of onions seedlings that resemble chives. Below lies a pair of scissors and the trimmed 6 cell pack of trimmed onion seedlings.

As onions cure the roots will shrivel up , and the super C will dry out and form a stamp at the top of the onion bulb . Once they ’re nice and wry , dress off the root word and topsbefore tucking them away for long - term storehouse .

How to Store Onions

Store cured onion in acool , dark , dry locationwith enough flow of air . For example , inwire basketsor cardboard boxes in a supernumerary closet or cabinet , root cellar , basement , or similar temperate location . We salt away our onion , garlic , and wintertime squash on thisnifty harvest time storage rackin a a coolheaded ( north - face ) guest room cupboard .

Flowering onions or dry onion that were not cured as well ( or at all ) should last at elbow room temperature for several week , but they ’ll last longer in the fridge . Be sure to use up any dinged or bruise 1 first .

Store unfledged onions ( green , outpouring , scallion , etc ) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for maximum insolence .

Four plastic milk jugs and a plastic container sit on an outdoor table. The containers are being used to sprout onion seeds for winter sowing. You can grow onions in a variety of ways to work with your climate.

Preserving Onions

In increase to tenacious - term juiceless storage , there are a routine of ways to continue onions . We lie with to makehomemadedried onion powder , especially with green onions or those that have take off to flower and thus ca n’t be bring around . We even dry the immature tops for pulverisation !

Another great choice for preserving Allium cepa is to makequick pickle onions . They ’re awesome on top of salads , sandwiches and more .

And that is all you need to know to successfully grow onions!

A close up image of a hand placing a small onion bulb (a set) in the soil for planting.

Two hands are holding a mass of onion seedlings that have grown together in one seedling cell.

Two hands are teasing apart the alliums that have grown into a single root ball.

Two hands are holding onion seedlings after their roots have been teased apart.

A small onion seedling is being placed in a hole made in the garden soil.

Small onion seedlings are laying on top of soil in a pile. A small trench has been made with an onion seedling sitting inside of it, space 4-6 inches apart.

Large bulbs of alliums in rich soil.

Many onions are growing with a few leeks growing in the furthest back row. Peppers are growing next to the onions, in the background lies another garden bed that is full with bok choy, kale and other greens. Beyond that lies a wall of flowering perennial sage and salvia. Grow onions to add dimension and versatility to your garden area.

A plastic container with a number of allium seedlings planted in it.

A raised garden bed is overflowing with chard plants and alliums with flowering nasturtium nearby.

Flowering alliums shooting towards the sky from a garden bed below. Each stalk has a puffy ball on the top of it which is the onions flower. In the surrounding garden area beans, marigolds, squash, alliums, salvia, and sage are growing with many colors of flowers contrasting against the twilight of the evening.

Rows of growing alliums whose top leaves have bent over or toppled over. They are ready to be harvested once they show signs of reaching full maturity with leaves that have bent over.

Freshly harvested varieties of alliums are laying on top of the soil to dry.

Many bulbs of onions are protruding from a slotted wooden bench or table. The onion leaves are hidden below the table as the onions are left to cure upside down, their fibrous roots and bulbs pointing upwards. Grow onions and cure them to maximize storage potential.

A storage rack made of wood inside of a closet. Each rack has a variety of winter squash and alliums on it.

A hand is holding a half pint mason jar full of powder. There are a number of alliums in the background in various stages of preparation for dehydrating.

DeannaCat signature, keep on growing

How to Plant and Grow Onions From Seed, Sets, or Seedlings