You don’t need complicated equipment to grow them or to harvest them. Purchasing onion bulbs locally should ensure you get the correct type for your area. Spring onions are a light onion, which is used as an alternative to onions. One little onion set will grow into one big onion, so plant as many sets as you want to harvest. And these are planting by bulb and planting by seeds. Additionally, onions are categorized into two growing types: long-day and short-day. Plant the smaller onion bulbs that are attached to the greens at the bottommost part of the green. Your onion piece should be about 1 in (2.5 cm) long to grow a healthy onion. Like any other crop, there are a lot of things that you need to consider before planting onions. Finally, cover the bulbs with soil and proceed to water it gently. Onions should be planted in cool weather conditions. That is most recommended for onions and what suits them best to have them grow properly. Thanks. ", insight into the onion cultivation. Additionally, they have a short growing season which means you can start harvesting in the spring, and then dry and store them for use in the winter. If you're planting sets or transplants, make 2 inch deep planting holes. Sweet onions will go bad earliest because of their high moisture content, so eat them first in order to prevent rot from making an appearance. Furthermore, onions are bi-annual – they flower on the 2nd year of growing. Onions vary not only in shapes or sizes but also in colours. Next is to use the hand shovel to dig up holes in the soil. But, they might not give you the best results. And not only that, you can also keep an eye out of your crop if ever it needs some nourishment. In my estimation, it's 100%. You’ll have no problem here but make sure that you plant and harvest during summer and spring season. As with most fruits and vegetables, there are many variations of the onion that are appealing for different reasons. What does this mean? This unorthodox method of planting onions is a popular trend for most farmers. Thank you! Plant onion seedlings in full sun in well-draining soil (onions rot easily in soggy soil). Insecticidal soap, used according to package directions, can usually control the problem. Plant small onion bulbs about 2/3 inch (2 cm) into the soil. Finally, having a good location for your onions will make harvesting easier. This indicates that you are successful in growing onions from your garden. Before the winter sets in, you need to prepare your beds for the following growing season. For tips on harvesting your onions, read on! It is bolting, aka producing seeds. Sow the seeds about 1/2 to 1 inch deep and somewhat thickly (roughly four to eight seeds in each spot). When planting onions, you dig little holes for them. I am trying to cultivate new plant varieties. Plant your seeds in early October, placing each seed ¼ inch deep into the soil following the lines of your buried fertilizer. ", "I feel like I am already on the farm. Then, cut … Place your onion on a cutting board and, using a sharp knife, cut off the bottom and remove the outer peel. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. And the number of onions that you'll plant. Clean it free from weeds and stones so that your onion will grow properly. For an interesting science experiment, you can get the kids to try. Harvesting Red Onions. To harvest, you can either pull the entire plant out, or snip at the base, leaving the white in the soil to grow more onions. Next is the planting season, onions have a long planting and harvesting season. ", "Just the information I was looking for. Finally, after planting the seeds in the hole, cover it up with the soil. Wait for your onion stems to start to transition from their green color to brown. It depends on the variety of onion, but most take about 5 months from planting to harvesting. Approved. Visit a local nursery to get recommendations on sets and seeds that grow well in your area. We recommend that you plant your onions in the ground as soon as the last frosts fall. Find a rectangular pot that could fit your onions. Planting it in close proximity to your home will make it easier for you to harvest it. You can choose to grow onions from transplants/cuttings, but this isn't always successful and is much more difficult to accomplish than just using sets or seeds. Choose a location that has enough sunlight and water. After separating them, dig small holes to put your seeds and bulbs. Although onions are generally resistant to pest problems, they can sometimes fall victim to root maggots that eat bulbs. This includes the method of planting, planting season, and planting area. How much space should I put between each onion? When you have your holes dug, you’ll do just as you would if you had purchased ‘sets’ of onions. They are already started and easy to plant. You should keep the onion and leaves intact, and plant the bulb so that the top third is poking out of the ground. Onions are great at repelling insect pests like cabbage worms, cabbage loopers, and cabbage maggots. 1 Cover a well-drained bed that receives full, all-day sunlight with a 2 inch layer of compost. If you don't have enough space, you can always plant your onion in a pot. If the seedlings were thickly planted in a seed flat, you will have to be gentle as you tease the seedlings apart from each other. Testing and altering the pH of your soil is best done at least a month prior to planting, so that any additives have time to take effect on the soil and prepare the foundation for the onions to grow. As a gardener, you have the choice on how you will grow your crop and where you’ll place it. When they are transplanted or growing where they will stay, plant them 12 to 18 inches apart and make the rows 12 to 18 inches apart as well. There are a lot of ways to grow onions at home depending on the space that you have and the place you’ll plant. 4 It is always advisable to leave them under full sun. The first thing that you need to do in this method is to prepare the area for planting. This makes planting and harvesting faster than your average seeds. "Never grew onions before, this was a huge help. Long-day onions grow the best in northern states, while short-day onions grow the best in southern states.