There are so many differnt Onions! From Bunching to Scallions to Big huge baseball size onions! No matter what you like, there is an onion for everyone. Onions are a great addition to any garden and the foods you eat.
There are many ways to start Onions. Most places sell them in seed form, bulb form or even as early seedlings. I like to do mine from seed or small bulbs. I have always had great success with onions. This year I plan on planting 3 times more then I did last year. This way I can freeze some and dry them to use them in the winter months for soups and sauces.
Green Onions are very easy to start from seed and one of the first things your garden will offer. I start my seeds in a large container. I put about 5 inches of seed starter soil with some Rabbit droppings in the container. Then I try to drop the seeds about 3 inches apart. Then I cover with a thin layer of soil. I usually spray the top of the soil with a water bottle and keep moist. Sprouts usually start making an appearance about 5-6 days later. When they look strong enough, I pull them carefully and bunch them together for transplanting in other parts of my garden. I usually wrap the tops with some sort of tie and put the roots in a half inch of water, till I can transplant. Once I transplant, I cut the tops down to about 2-3 inches. This way I have a stronger root base. I usually plant 100 seeds at a time, then repeat the process about every 6 weeks spring through fall. Sometimes I use bulbs. This is a method I am going to use this year as well. I will plant each bulb 4 inches apart, in wide rows. With about 50 onions per row.
Onions are also good companion crop. Toss them in with your Tomatos, Lettuces, Root veggies and Herb Gardens. You may also try picking your onions in differnt stages. For Scallions pick them before they develop bulbs. I do most of my onions in square foot gardening method. So I harvest every other one as a Scallion and let the rest grow as full onions. This way I still get scallions,and free up room for the remaining onions to get larger. This helps me to ensure a good ratio of Scallions and Onions.
Onion seeds are one of the easier seeds to harvest! Let some of your onions flower. You only need to set aside a few. I harvested about 10 flowering onions after the growing season, and got a few hundred seeds in return.
Are you planting Onions in your garden? If not you should! You will never buy a store bought Onion again. What kind of Onions will you be growing?
These are some of the onions I will be growing this year!
Walla Walla Onion
Red Onion
Scallions
Chipollini Onions
Red Torpedo Onions
Granex Hybrid
Chives
Vidalia Sweet Georgia Onions
Happy Gardening My Friends!
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Hi Jenn, I haven't posted to your garden blog in a while, so I thought I would post. How are you feeling- it has been a while, since I checked your blog. I always look forward to your garden. Thank you
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy,
ReplyDeleteI am doing pretty well! Im so happy you enjoy my blog!Im getting ready for the big garden season! Soon having surgery, so getting all the little stuff done! Hope you are doing well!
Jenn
Very cool. I'm doing green onions, 2 kinds of big heirloom onions, and chives this year. I am very interested in learning how to store them through the winter. Those onion seeds are very small and give me a headache to plant though!
ReplyDeleteHi Jenn. I've been thinking we're too late for planting onion seed, only transplants at this point. What's your timetable for best success here in Sacramento? Jeannie
ReplyDeleteJeannie,
ReplyDeleteI started some onions in november and again in fefuary! Mine are usually ready by may. I have never had an issue growing onions. In the summer I plant them in more shade then sun. I have had great success growing onions year round. In summer they are a little smaller. Yet they still have great flavor! I do start seeds indoors then transplant. Good luck & i hope I have helped!
Jenn