A number of onion varieties are referred to as "sweet onions."These onion varieties tend to be less stinky than others, but the soil in which you grow them plays a large part in the final flavor of the onion.Sweet onions that are grown from sets are more resistant to frost.It's important to remember that sweet onions need plenty of sun and fertile soil to grow.
Step 1: In the early to mid spring is when to plant.
Four to six weeks before the last frost, onions can be planted.Prepare the garden bed for planting when the ground can be worked in March or April.Don't plant onions until the temperature drops below 20 F.You can find the last expected frost date by checking weather stations, a farmer's almanac, and a government meteorological website.
Step 2: Plant in a sunny location.
It takes about 6 to 8 hours per day to grow sweet onions.The location of the garden bed should be bright and not shaded by trees, other plants, or buildings.
Step 3: The compost should be added to the soil.
If your onions are grown in loose, fertile, and well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8, they will have the best chance.The garden bed needs to be broken up.Put 2 inches (5 cm) of compost or aged manure over the garden bed and work it into the soil.A home soil test kit can be used to test the pH of the soil.Lime and sulphur can be used to increase the pH of your soil.Adding compost will help the soil drain better.The onions won't be as sweet if the ground is loose.
Step 4: Fertilizing the soil is recommended.
If the soil is amended with extra nitrogen, onions will grow better.Sprinkle a nitrogen-richfertilizer over the soil.A rake can be used to mix thefertilizer with the soil.If you want to grow sweet onions, avoid sulfur-based fertilizers.
Step 5: The rows should be in the soil.
You can build the soil up into rows that are 10 cm high by using your hands or a spade.The rows should be 16 inches apart.If your soil has a high clay content, it's important to make rows for onions.Instead of growing onions in rows, you can plant them in raised beds that have been amended with compost andfertilizer.The planting of sweet onions in rows or raised beds will help the water drain better and produce sweeter onions.It is not necessary to create rows before planting in a container because you have complete control over the soil medium.
Step 6: In the rows, plant the onions.
To dig holes in the rows, use a spade.The holes should be 6 inches (15 cm) apart.If you want to cover the roots with soil, place an onion in each hole.If you plant the onions more than 2.5 cm deep, the leaves will rot and the bulbs won't grow as large.An onion set is a small onion that has been dried.
Step 7: A thin layer of mulch is needed to cover the soil.
It is ideal for onions to have mulch because it will help to eliminate weeds and keep the soil moist.Grass clippings or straw are good mulches for onions.To keep onions dry, sweep the mulch away from the onions.
Step 8: Keep it moist.
The onions have shallow roots and need regular watering to keep the soil moist.Provide the onions with an inch of water each week, minus the water they get from precipitation.If you didn't add a top layer of mulch, you'll have to provide more water.If the leaves start to yellow early, it means they're getting too much water.
Step 9: Once the onions are established, side dress them with fertilization.
When the onions start to grow, three weeks after planting, sprinkle a half-ounce of granular fertilization 6 inches away from the stem of each plant.Before watering, mix thefertilizer in with the soil with a rake.When the tops reach about 20 cm, side dress the onions again.Nitrogen-richfertilizer can be used like blood meal.
Step 10: Remove the onions from the flower.
It means that onions have bolted or are going to seed.The onions that are left in the ground will rot.If you want to eat onions, dig them up and eat them right away.
Step 11: After planting scallions, harvest them.
immature onions that are harvest before the bulbs form.When they reach the size you're looking for, you can harvest them within a few weeks.Pull the onion from the ground by holding it near the base of the stalks.
Step 12: If you wait for the scapes to die back you will get mature onions.
When onions are left in the ground to mature, they will form larger bulbs.The leaves and scapes will turn yellow once the bulbs reach maturity.The onions are ready for harvest.Depending on the variety, the onions can be ready in 90 to 120 days.
Step 13: The onions need to be pulled from the ground.
Pull the onion from the ground by placing your hand around the scapes and leaves.To remove dirt from the onion's roots, shake it a bit.The cooler temperatures of fall will cause onions to spoil, so make sure you harvest them by late summer.
Step 14: The onions should be Cured.
After harvesting the onions, expose them to the air and sun by spreading them out on the soil.The crown and skin of onions should not be exposed to the sun for three days.A uniform texture and color is what the skin should have.During wet weather, cure the onions in aventilated area.The process of curing will help make for longer storage.If you want to cure sweet onions, you don't have to.
Step 15: Before storing onions, trim them.
Once the onions are cured, use a pair of scissors to trim the roots and tops to an inch in length.Store the onions in mesh or paper bags that are well-ventilated.You should use sweet onions within six weeks.If you want to extend the shelf life of onions, wrap them individually in paper towels and store them in the refrigerator.