7 Simple tips for growing onion in your home
Growing onion in your home can be beneficial because the onion bulb is used in many dishes and recipes at home. Here are some simple tips for developing an onion bulb in your home; by following these steps, you can quickly grow an onion bulb at home with ease.
7 Tips on How to Grow Onion at Home
Onions are very beneficial ingredients to cook and used as medicine to treat certain conditions. However, it can be tricky at times to grow onions since they are dependent on weather and its daylight. Here are some tips that will help you develop an onion at home. It can increase even in your kitchen under the correct heat, light, and suitable soil temperature. It is most often used during cooking meals and soups, salads, and other dishes. But what if you have a garden or outdoor area?
Choosing the right varieties
There are over 200 different varieties of onions, and each one has unique flavor profiles. Some have hints of sweetness, others have a mild bite, and some pack a lot of spice. Selecting an appropriate variety is dependent on how you plan to use them. If you’re slicing them raw into salads or sandwiches, crisp types with a higher sugar content will bring out their naturally sweet taste; if sautéing or caramelizing, go with soft and yellow varieties that won’t fall apart when cooked.
For example, I always turn to Vidalia and Bermuda because they taste great grilled alongside steaks or burgers. Red onions tend to be the sharpest in taste—great for sauces, salsa, vinaigrettes—and can be used interchangeably in most recipes calling for white or yellow onions. When storing fresh cut-up onions at room temperature (not covered), they last approximately five days before starting to wilt.
Where to Buy Organic Seeds
There are many places to buy organic seeds. However, most are very expensive. If you have a lot of lands to work with and time on your hands, you can always grow them yourself. If not, try visiting some local farmers who might be willing to sell or trade their organic produce. Another option is to check out local stores that sell organic vegetables and fruits, such as Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.
It doesn’t hurt to ask if they know where you can get some cheap organic onion seeds. You will likely find something affordable and high quality there. Asking at farmer’s markets or specialty shops near your house is another excellent way to acquire great seed without paying too much money for it.
Choose a Perfect Soil Type
The soil you choose for growing onion can make a big difference in how well your onions grow. For best results, choose a sandy loam or clay-loam that drains well. Soil that is too heavy or compacted could affect the overall growth of your plant. Once you’ve selected a container, get to work mixing equal parts sand and organic compost into it.
Provide Adequate Water Supply
growing Onions need a regular water supply and frequent irrigation to grow their best. Onions also increase, which means you’ll want to start planting them several weeks before the last frost. Consider using drip irrigation or soaker hoses to keep a steady stream of water flowing at all times. The easy way to do it is putting a hose near every plant, with an automatic timer that turns on every hour or two, from as early as four weeks before your first expected frost date through harvest.
Sow Seeds on Stable Ground
Although onions can be planted throughout most of the year, they prefer warmer soil temperatures. The best time to sow onion seeds is in early spring. To ensure their growth, plan on planting them on well-drained soil (onions don’t like soggy conditions). Onion seeds should also be sown deeply (1/2 inch or more) into healthy soil.
Enrich the soil with organic fertilizers
Organic fertilizers like guano and organic manures are made from animal, fish or plant products. Animal manure is commonly available as either steer manure or chicken manure, while fish fertilizer comes from various types of fishmeal. To improve your soil’s organic matter content, work these fertilizers into your existing soil mix at a rate of 10-15 pounds per 100 square feet. If using fresh animal manure or fish meal, be sure to age it before applying to avoid burning young plants with high nitrogen levels.
Remove Excess Water and Vegetation
Growing Onion require a significant amount of water, so you’ll want to ensure that you give them enough without overwatering. Onions don’t grow profound roots, so you must daily remove excess water from their container. You can also remove vegetation, such as grass and weeds, competing with onions for sunlight and nutrients. Your goal should be to have all of these removed within two weeks after planting.
Also read: growing onion https://www.thespruce.com/growing-onions-1403447
