How to Plant Onion Starts

Onions are an essential ingredient in many cuisines around the world. They are easy to grow and care for, even for beginners. If you want to start growing your own onions, you can follow these steps to plant onion starts.

Step 1: Choose the Right Onion Starts

Onion starts are small onion bulbs that have started to grow. They are available at gardening centers or can be ordered online. When you are selecting onion starts, choose ones that are firm, dry, and free of signs of disease.

Step 2: Prepare the Soil

Onions grow best in well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Before planting onion starts, prepare the soil by adding compost or well-rotted manure. Work the compost or manure into the soil with a garden fork or tiller. You can also add a balanced fertilizer if your soil lacks nutrients.

Step 3: Plant the Onion Starts

Plant onion starts in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. Make sure the soil is moist, but not waterlogged. Dig a small hole with your finger or a trowel, and place the onion start in the hole. Cover the top of the bulb with soil, leaving about a quarter of an inch exposed. Space the onion starts 4 to 6 inches apart.

Step 4: Water the Onion Starts

Water onion starts immediately after planting them. Water them regularly during the growing season to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Onions need about an inch of water per week. You can also mulch around the plants with straw or shredded leaves to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Step 5: Care and Harvest

Onions are relatively easy to care for. Once they start growing, they will need regular weeding and thinning. When the onions are mature, usually in mid-summer, the leaves will start to turn yellow and die back. At this point, stop watering the onions and let them dry out in the soil. After a week or two, dig up the onions and store them in a cool, dry place.

In conclusion, planting onion starts is a straightforward process that requires a few simple steps. By selecting the right onion starts, preparing the soil, planting, watering, and caring for the onions, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of fresh, homegrown onions.