Planting Onions

Plant onions in early spring once the ground is workable. In-ground gardens and raised beds are both excellent options for growing onions. Space onion plants 6 inches apart in rows that are 12 inches apart. Grow them in a sunny spot that has fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.

What is the best month to plant onions?
Can you grow onions from an onion?
When should you plant onions?
How deep do you plant onions?
Do onions need full sun?
What happens if you plant a sprouting onion?
How many onions does an onion plant produce?
Can you eat an onion that has sprouted?
Do I need to soak onion sets before planting?

What is the best month to plant onions?

In regions with a frigid winter, it's best to plant onion sets in the spring as soon as the ground can be worked—usually in March or April. Ideally, time your planting so that outdoor temperatures no longer dip below 28°F (-2°C) after the onions are in the ground.

Can you grow onions from an onion?

Onions are one of the easiest vegetables to regrow from scraps. Just cut off the root end of your onion, leaving a 1'2 inch of onion on the roots. Place it in a sunny location in your garden and cover the top with soil. Make sure to keep the soil moist by watering when needed.

When should you plant onions?

Generally speaking, onions grow tops in cool weather and form bulbs when the weather warms. Plant onion seeds four to six weeks before the last average frost — or even earlier indoors or in a cold frame. When indoor seedlings are 2 to 3 inches tall, harden them off by exposing them to above-freezing night temperatures.

How deep do you plant onions?

Plant sets in early spring as soon as the ground can be worked. Sets should be planted at a depth of 1 to 1 1/2 inches in rows 12 to 15 inches apart. For dry onions, plant the sets 2 to 3 inches apart. Sets grown for green onions can be planted closer together.

Do onions need full sun?

Onions need full sun. Select a location where your onions won't be shaded by other plants. Onions need well-drained, loose and nitrogen-rich soil.

What happens if you plant a sprouting onion?

In short the answer is, YES! You can plant a sprouted onion and grow a new one. Actually usually you'll get three new onions from one sprouted onion! When your onions start to look rotten…

How many onions does an onion plant produce?

If you plant the whole cut bottom as one piece, you may get more than one new onion but they will likely be crowded together and small. The number of plants a single onion can grow will vary from 1-6, the onion pictured above can be divided into two.

Can you eat an onion that has sprouted?

The answer is yes! The onion and garlic might get a little mushy after they sprout, but they are not poisonous or toxic and won't harm you. Especially if the roots and shoots are still small, they are still perfectly good. Lots of people intentionally eat sprouts since they have more protein.

Do I need to soak onion sets before planting?

A set is an actual bulb and will produce onions quickly. You can plant onion sets without soaking them, but soaked onions will sprout more quickly. You can also soak onion seed before planting to encourage germination. Soaking the sets in compost tea will give them added nutrition and protection from disease.