How to Plant an Onion & Care For It
Several varieties make up the onion family, including the Egyptian onion that not only grows bulbs underground, but forms infant onions on its stems to replant. The best way to grow an onion is from a starter. In early spring, garden centers stock sets of 25 to 50 deceased-looking seedlings. The transplants are placed in fertilized, well-drained soil or in self-watering containers, given plenty to drink and then left to bask in the sun the dried tops start greening. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Prepared ground for planting
- PH strips or pH meter
- Onion sets
- Mulch
- Hoe
- Water hose with sprinkler head
- Self-watering containers
- Potting mix (40 pounds time the number of containers needed)
- Time-release plant food
- ½ cup measuring cup
- Water hose
Instructions
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In the Ground Planting
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1
Select a spot for planting starter sets with six or more hours of daily sun. During early fall, compost the intended planting area with leaves, grass clippings, and vegetable skins and peels from the kitchen to enrich the soil. Let the planting area rest until a month before the last frost is expected.
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2
Prepare the soil with a tiller or a spade. Test it with pH strips or a pH meter purchased online or at a gardening center. If richer soil is needed, spread several bags of fertilized garden soil over the area.
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3
Plant each onion set at least 1-inch deep and 2 inches apart for small bulbs and 4 inches apart for large bulbs to allow room for growth.
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4
Add mulch to seal in moisture during dry weather then water regularly for consistent hydration.
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5
Hoe or pull weeds as soon as they appear around the onions. Leave large bulb onions in the ground until they reach maturity.
Container (Self-Watering) Planting
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6
Purchase or make a self-watering container. Fill it with potting "mix" (not soil).
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7
Dig a trench lengthwise down the middle of the potting mix, spread ½ cup of a time-release fertilizer. C cover with potting mix (called a fertilizer strip). If starting with pre-fertilized mix, skip the fertilizer strip.
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8
Cover the container with the plastic mulch cover (optional).
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9
Cut ten slits in the mulch cover, five down each side away from the fertilizer strip. Space the slits evenly apart. Dig 1-inch holes in the potting mix through the slits then plant ten onion seedlings.
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10
Fill the water reservoir as needed. Leave large bulb onions in the planter until they reach maturity.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Never toss out unused scallions (green onions) bought from the supermarket no matter how dry they've grown in the refrigerator. Scallions are sold with the roots on. Plant in a pot filled with organic potting mix and then water. In a few days, they'll turn green and start growing.
