Planting Onions
I’ve been starting all my onions from seed for many years, but this year I was a little too busy and purchased onion plants instead. They arrived last Thursday, which meant that Friday afternoon was spent planting onions.
Since I purchased plants, I’m only growing two varieties of onions this year: a yellow storage (Patterson) and a red storage (Redwing). Generally I grow six different varieties, but options are more limited when purchasing plants instead of packets of seed.
There were around 1000 plants, way more than I need as storage onions, but I planted them closely in order to have green onions throughout the summer. I like to have around 600 onions in storage for the winter, this is enough for us if we augment with other alliums, like leeks, green onions, shallots, etc. It will be interesting to see how these plants perk up and grow, I’ve never really grown onions from purchased plants before.
What’s your favorite kinds of onion?
Filed under Around the Garden | Comments (7)
It’s interesting the way you modified the rake to make the furrows for your onion rows.
Little tricks and “know-how” like that are things I look for when I read gardening blogs.
to bonnie knox's comment
The rake is from Johnny’s Seeds and is a very wide rake specifically designed for seed bed preparation. You can purchase the red pieces and add them to different tines to make furrows for planting. This is one of my favorite tools for planting. Here’s the link for the rake: http://www.johnnyseeds.com/tools-supplies/long-handled-tools/rakes/bed-preparation-rake-9219.html?cgid=rakes#start=1
to Susy's comment
Susy, every year I try to grow onions from seed but so far I’ve not had much success. The young seedlings alway get over powered by weeds and struggle to survive. I’m careful to weed but still many get pulled out of the ground. I have about 100 ready to plant so maybe this year will be the year of onions.
Have a great onion planting day.
Nebraska Dave
to Nebraska Dave's comment
I got my onions in yesterday. I’ve grown my onions from purchased seedlings for the past 5 years or so. They grow GREAT, much better than sets or seedlings that I grow myself. My favorite sweet onion is Ailsa Craig (and they grow HUGE), and my favorite for storage is Copra. Good luck with yours!
to Joan's comment
Where did you order the starts from? Thanks.
to Randy's comment
I ordered mine from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. Dixondale farm is also a place I have heard has good onion plants.
http://www.dixondalefarms.com
to Susy's comment
Thank you.
to Randy's comment