Comprehensive Handbook: Cultivation and Preservation Techniques for Onions, Explained
Onions are a versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed at any stage of growth, from their fresh greens to their sturdy bulbs. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener, growing onions in your own backyard can be a rewarding experience.
Onions can be grown from either seeds or sets. Onion sets, which are small onions grown from seeds but not allowed to mature, are ideal for beginners due to their ease and quicker harvest. On the other hand, starting from seeds offers a wider variety selection and cost benefits.
When growing onions from seeds, use a seed-starting mix such as peat moss, vermiculite, or perlite. Sow the seeds thinly on the surface, press lightly, but don't bury them deeply. Cover the seeds with plastic to retain moisture and heat, and maintain temperatures around 65-75°F (18-24°C) to aid germination. Seeds can be started in fall or spring, depending on your climate.
Onion sets, small bulbs grown the previous year and stored, establish quickly and tolerate light freezes. They mature in about 14 weeks and are preferred by many for their ease and quicker harvest. Plant them early in the spring for best success. Onion sets can be purchased at garden centers or online shops.
Onions thrive in full sun and well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Mixing long-day, short-day, and intermediate-day onion varieties can extend your harvest season. Containers, raised beds, or traditional garden rows work well for onions.
Some popular onion varieties for home gardening include Red Burgundy, White Grano, Walla Walla, and Tokyo Long White Bunching onions. These varieties offer diverse flavors, usage options, and growing adaptability across different climates and seasons. Other popular choices are White Lisbon for a milder taste and Red Brunswick for a sweet red onion option.
Shallots, with their sweeter taste, are a worthwhile addition to any diet. The commonly used cooking onion is often referred to as just an onion and is medium-sized, hardy, easy to grow, and can be stored for a long time.
Scallions, also known as green onions, are an excellent choice if you have difficulty growing onion bulbs or are simply interested in greens. They can be planted early in the spring and will continue to grow throughout the summer, giving you a constant supply of fresh greens.
Onions can still be frozen whole if stored in a place that stays slightly below freezing, making them a convenient option for preserving your harvest for use in recipes later. Onions also need to be cured for several weeks before storing to ensure they are dry.
Protecting against onion maggots with insect mesh can be beneficial, especially in areas where these pests are common. Onions require moisture to get established in spring but prefer well-drained soil to avoid rot. It's not necessary to keep onions weed-free, but it's important to ensure that the weeds don't shade the plants from the sun.
Perennial onions are a great addition to any garden as they require minimal maintenance and will come back year after year. The Walking Onion, also known as the Egyptian or Tree Onion, is a type of perennial onion that propagates itself by dropping flowerheads randomly around the plant. The Welsh onion is another great perennial onion that will develop new clumps you can harvest.
Onions can still be grown for their greens in a shady location. Shallots have a sweeter taste than onions and are a worthwhile addition to any diet.
[1] Gardening Know How. (n.d.). How to Grow Onions from Sets. Retrieved from https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/onion/growing-onions-from-sets.htm
[2] The Spruce Eats. (2021, February 25). How to Grow Onions from Seeds. Retrieved from https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-grow-onions-from-seeds-1410614
[3] The Old Farmer's Almanac. (n.d.). How to Grow Onions. Retrieved from https://www.almanac.com/gardening/how-to-grow-onions
[4] The Old Farmer's Almanac. (n.d.). How to Grow Onions. Retrieved from https://www.almanac.com/gardening/how-to-grow-onions
[5] The Spruce Eats. (2021, March 16). Best Onion Varieties for Home Gardening. Retrieved from https://www.thespruceeats.com/best-onion-varieties-for-home-gardening-1410616
- Onions, whether grown from seeds or sets, can be a rewarding addition to any backyard garden for both beginners and experienced gardeners.
- For beginners, onion sets can be the ideal choice due to their quicker harvest compared to starting from seeds.
- If starting from seeds, use a seed-starting mix and sow them thinly, ensuring they have temperatures around 65-75°F (18-24°C) to aid germination.
- Onions thrive in full sun and well-drained soil rich in organic matter, and choosing long-day, short-day, and intermediate-day varieties can extend the harvest season.
- Popular home-gardening varieties include Red Burgundy, White Grano, Walla Walla, and Tokyo Long White Bunching onions, offering diverse flavors and adaptabilities.
- Perennial onions like the Walking Onion or Welsh onion are great for minimal maintenance and returning year after year.
- Shallots and scallions, with their sweeter taste and convenience, can be excellent choices for cooking, food-and-drink, and home-and-garden lifestyles.
- To preserve the harvest, onions can be frozen or enjoyed as greens in a shady location, while protecting them against onion maggots with insect mesh can be beneficial.
