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All About Onions - Urban Farmer's Guide
Home > Gardener's Guide > All About Onions
Introduction
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Onions are one of the most popular vegetables for growing in home gardens and are one of the first crops of spring. They can be stored over winter thus making a versatile crop.
Before Planting
Onions prefer a a sunny position with a rich but light soil, however they will do well in most soils as long as it is firm. Onions prefer a slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
Planting
For best results plant onion seeds about 1/4 to 1/2" inch deep. Place a seed every inch to ensure even spacing once the seeds have germinated. Onion plants should be spaced at least 4" inches apart and rows should be anywhere from 12-18" inches apart. When planting seeds make sure the soil is moist before sowing.
Watering
Watering is critical when growing onions. Water slowly and deeply to produce healthy onions. Onions should receive about an inch of water per week slightly more in sandy soils.
Fertilizer
Apply a complete fertilizer such as 10-10-10, a few days prior to planting. Onions are heavy nitrogen feeders early when producing roots and top growth. Side dress approximately 5 or 6 weeks after planting with high non sulfur nitrogen fertilizer, Side dress onions again in late winter. Excessive applications of nitrogen can delay maturity of bulbs, cause thick necks and splitting.
Days to Maturity
Depends on type and whether they were started from seed (110-125 days), transplants (70-90 days) or sets (50-60 days).
Harvesting
You can harvest onions at any stage. The plants you thin from a row can be used as green onions. However, onion bulbs are ready when about 1/2 the tops have fallen over and the bulbs’ skins have a papery feel. Bulbs allowed to remain in the ground until 1/2 or more of the green tops have fallen over will store longer. Once you see 1/2 the tops are down, very gently coax the remaining leaves down, without breaking them off the bulb. Then allow the bulbs to sit in the ground and cure for a couple of days before you lift them. You’ll have better luck digging the onion bulbs, rather than pulling. You don’t have to go deep, just enough to loosen the remaining roots. Shake and brush off any loose soil and let the bulbs finish curing in a warm, dry place with good air circulation. Leave the leaves on.
Storing
Store whole onions in a cool, dry dark place.
Pests & Diseases
Onion Fly is attracted by the smell that thinning the onions releases. For this reason the method of growing from sets rather than seed is advantageous when trying to combat onion fly. Onion blast - this fungus develops on the plants foliage with a blast of speed. Combat with a funguscide.
Tips
Good Neighbors of Onions are Beets, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Cucumber, Lettuce, Pepper, Squash, Strawberries, and Tomato . Bad Neighbors include Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Peas.
