How to Grow Onion Sets

Let's face it, American's love onions. This versatile veggie is sauteed in omelets and sliced for sandwiches. No self-respecting home gardener would go without onions. The problem is that growing onions from seeds may require much a longer growing season than you have in your area. Fortunately, onion sets will give you a good boost on the season and provide sweet onions all summer long.

Things You'll Need

• Onion sets
• Compost/ well-rotted manure
• Garden tools
• Fertilizer

Instructions

1. Choose a location for your onions that receives 6 hours of sunlight a day. Onions will grow in less sun, but they thrive in direct sun and will produce bigger bulbs.

2. Prepare the soil by tilling to a depth of 8 inches. Remove any rocks, roots, or other debris that surface when you till the soil. Rake smooth with a garden rake.

3. Mark the row with the edge of the hoe. This furrow does not need to be deep. Simply use the hoe to trace a line in the soil.

4. Add generous amounts of compost or well-rotted manure to the soil and mix it in well with the existing soil. If you choose to use commercial fertilizer, this is the time to add it. Be sure to work it in well to prevent burning or damaging young roots.

5. Plant the onion sets in early spring. Frost will not harm these hardly bulbs. Push the onion set into the soil until the bulb is covered and the set is firmly anchored. Make sure the stem portion is pointing up. Firm the soil around the onion set with your hands. Space onion sets 4 inches apart. They can be planted closer if you intend to use them for bunching onions or green onions in salads. Mature onions will need adequate room to develop.

6. Water thoroughly and keep the soil evenly moist to encourage new growth. Unless you live in a very dry climate, it is doubtful your onions will require much watering in damp spring soil.

7. Weed onions regularly to keep the area free of competing weeds that will rob your onions of nutrients. Apply water-soluble fertilizer once a month to encourage growth.

8. Harvest onions for winter use after the tops have dried. Onion stalks will yellow and fall over. Once they have fallen, they will dry out and turn brown. This is part of the natural growing process of onions and signals the time for harvest. Pull onions by the stalk and shake off any excess soil. Place them in a shady area outside to cure for several days. Be sure they are protected from late summer or fall rains and stay dry.

9. Trim away roots and trim the stem to about an inch once the onions are dry. Do not remove the entire stem as this may encourage stem rot.

10. Store onions for winter use in a cool, dry place that is well-ventilated. A root cellar is preferred, but any cool area will do. Avoid placing onions directly on the floor of a cellar. Place them in a box or bin that has ventilation holes and elevated slightly.

Tips & Warnings

• Some claim that pushing the soil away from the growing bulb with your fingers will provide more space for the bulb to grow and result in larger onions.

• Plant onion sets 2 inches apart if you wish to use fresh green onions. Simply thin out the onions when they are young by pulling alternating sets. Allow the others to grow to maturity.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish