Onions
Onions are easy to grow, take up little space, and are easy to store.
-Planting: Onions can be started from seeds, sets (bulbs), or seedlings.
If sets are planted, you can be sure to get large, well-formed onion bulbs
by the end of the season. If seeds are planted, they will produce a late
crop perfect for storing.
Plant the sets or seedlings as soon as the soil can be worked,
about 1 inch, and 4 inches apart, in rows spaced 12-24 inches apart. If
you are starting with sets, make sure the pointed end is facing up. If you
are planting seeds, sow them as soon as possible in the spring in shallow
furrows.
-Growing: Onions should be cultivated regularly due to their
susceptibility to invasion by weeds. When the onions are several inches
tall, a thick mulch should be added around the plants to deter weeds.
Water the plants deeply once a week, and side dress them with manure or
fertilizer every two weeks or more during the growing. When the plants
start to flower, the buds should be broken off to stimulate greater bulb
growth.
-Harvesting: Most onion stalks will begin to weaken and fall over towards
the end of the season. After about ¾ of the tops have fallen over, knock
the remaining stalks to the ground and spread them out for a few days to
cure in the sun. This is essential if you want long-lasting onions for
storage.
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