A Beginner’s Guide to Planting Onions

Understanding the Basics of Onion Planting

Before you start planting onions, it’s essential to understand a few basics. Onions are a cool-season crop that grows best in temperatures between 13-24°C. They prefer well-drained soil with a pH level of 6.0-7.0. Onions can be planted from sets, seedlings, or seeds. However, sets are the easiest and most common way to grow onions.

Onions have shallow roots, so they require frequent watering, especially during dry spells. It’s also essential to keep onion beds weed-free, as competition from weeds can reduce the yield.

Onions are a biennial plant, meaning that they complete their life cycle over two years. However, most gardeners grow onions as an annual crop, harvesting them after one growing season.

By understanding these basics, you’ll be better equipped to start your onion planting journey successfully.

Preparing the Soil for Onion Planting

The first step in preparing your soil for onion planting is to remove any weeds, rocks, or debris. Onions prefer well-drained soil with a pH level of 6.0-7.0. You can test your soil pH using a soil testing kit available at most garden centers.

Once you know your soil’s pH level, you can adjust it by adding lime to increase pH or sulfur to decrease pH. Onions also prefer soil that is high in organic matter, so adding compost or well-rotted manure to your soil can help improve its fertility.

Before planting, loosen the soil to a depth of 15-20 cm using a fork or tiller. Rake the soil to create a level bed, then make shallow furrows 1-2 cm deep, spaced 30-45 cm apart.

By properly preparing your soil, you’ll create an ideal environment for your onion plants to grow and thrive.

Choosing and Planting Onion Sets or Seeds

Onions can be planted from sets, seedlings, or seeds. However, sets are the easiest and most common way to grow onions. Onion sets are small, dormant bulbs that will sprout and grow when planted in soil. You can buy sets from garden centers or online.

To plant onion sets, place them in the shallow furrows you made in your prepared soil. Space them 10-15 cm apart and cover with soil, leaving the tip of the bulb exposed.

If you prefer to plant onions from seed, you can start them indoors in late winter or early spring. Sow seeds in trays or pots filled with a seed starting mix, then transplant the seedlings into your garden bed once they’re big enough to handle.

Whether you choose to plant onion sets or seeds, make sure to water them well after planting. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and avoid overhead watering as it can increase the risk of disease.

By choosing and planting onion sets or seeds correctly, you’ll set the foundation for a successful onion crop.

Caring for Onion Plants as They Grow

Onions require frequent watering, especially during dry spells. Water them deeply at least once a week, or more often if the weather is hot and dry. However, make sure not to overwater, as this can lead to fungal diseases.

Onions are also heavy feeders and benefit from regular fertilization. Apply a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 formula, every four to six weeks during the growing season.

As onion plants grow, they may produce flowers or seed heads. To prevent this, clip off any flower stalks as soon as you see them. This will redirect the plant’s energy towards bulb formation, resulting in larger and better quality onions.

Finally, keep your onion beds weed-free by pulling any weeds as soon as you see them. Weeds can compete with onion plants for nutrients and water, reducing the yield.

By providing proper care to your onion plants, you’ll encourage healthy growth and maximize your onion harvest.

Harvesting and Storing Onions

Onions are typically ready to harvest when the leaves start to turn yellow and fall over. This usually happens in late summer or early fall, depending on when you planted them.

To harvest onions, gently loosen the soil around the bulbs using a garden fork or trowel. Lift the bulbs out of the soil and lay them out in the sun to dry for a few days. Once the outer skin is dry and papery, remove any remaining soil and trim the roots and tops.

Store onions in a cool, dry, and dark place with good air circulation. A pantry or basement is an ideal location. Avoid storing onions near potatoes, as they can release gases that cause onions to spoil more quickly.

Onions can be stored for several months if they’re properly cured and stored. Check on them regularly and remove any onions that show signs of spoilage or rotting.

By harvesting and storing your onions correctly, you’ll be able to enjoy your homegrown onions for months to come.