Want to grow your own onions?
It’s easier than you think!
Check out these 9 simple tactics to get awesome onions in your garden.
Ready to dig in?
Let’s go!
Choose the Right Variety
First, pick the onion variety that suits your needs. There are short-day, long-day, and intermediate-day onions.
If you live in the South, go for short-day onions. If you’re in the North, choose long-day ones.
Intermediate works in between! Each type has slightly different growth patterns, so picking the right one is half the battle won.
Pick a Sunny Spot
Onions love the sun! Find a place in your garden that gets at least 6-7 hours of sunlight.
The more sun they get, the bigger and juicier they’ll grow. Just make sure the soil is well-drained, since onions hate sitting in water.
Prepare Your Soil
Before you plant, prep your soil. Onions like loamy, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mix in some compost or well-rotted manure to boost the nutrients. This will give your onions a good start and help them grow strong and healthy.
Plant Them Right
Spacing is key when planting onions. Plant them about 1-2 inches apart if you want to harvest them as green onions.
For larger, bulbing onions, space them 4-6 inches apart. Make sure the roots are buried, and the top part is just peeking out of the soil.
Water Wisely
Onions need about an inch of water per week. Water them deeply but infrequently to encourage the roots to grow deep.
Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Too much water can lead to rot, while too little will stunt their growth.
Feed and Mulch
Give your onions a boost with a balanced fertilizer every few weeks. Also, add a layer of mulch around your plants.
This helps keep the soil cool, prevents weeds, and retains moisture. Just make sure the mulch doesn’t touch the onion bulbs directly.
Watch for Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for common onion pests like thrips and onion maggots. If you see any, treat them with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Also, watch for signs of diseases like downy mildew. Rotating your crops yearly can help prevent a lot of these issues.
Harvest at the Right Time
When the tops of your onions start to yellow and fall over, it’s harvest time! Gently pull them out of the ground and let them cure in a dry, airy place for a few weeks.
This helps them last longer when stored.
Store Your Onions
Once cured, cut off the dry tops and roots. Store your onions in a cool, dry place.
Mesh bags or baskets work great. Properly stored onions can last for several months, so you can enjoy your homegrown goodies into the winter!