How to start growing onions

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By lindiop
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How to start growing onions, where to grow them and how to prepare your vegetable plot.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Growing onions does not take a lot of space.
If you have about 5' square to spare you can make a vegetable plot or you can even grow a single row of onions at the back of a flower bed.
Step 2

Use a hoe to clear away any unwanted plants or weeds. Remove any visible stones. Gently rake the area.
Step 3

Inspect the soil. Ideally you will find a fine 'tilth'. This means that when you pick up a lump of soil it crumbles into super fine granules in your hand. Check that it is moist but not soaking wet.
Step 4

Gently fork the surface of the soil and then rake it smooth. Remove any stones that come to the surface.
Step 5

Mark out a couple of rows (see tips)about 7" apart. Make a hole in the soil with the end of the pencil and push in the onion sets about 2" apart. This spacing helps when weeding because you don't need to weed between bulbs but only between rows.

Tips & Warnings

You can mark your rows with string and two twigs.
Sets are easier for beginners to plant than seeds as they are heat treated to prevent bolting.
If your soil is poor try adding compost in the Fall before growing onions.
Make sure you plant your onion sets with the pointy end just sticking up out of the soil or you will never see them again!
Soon after the longest day bend the green stalks of your onions over and tie them.
Don't leave them to sit on wet soil once they have finished growing. Lift them and hang them in a dry place.
Don't make it a chore. Enjoy growing onions!