Green Talk®

Whole Body, Healthy Home, and Sustainable Garden Inspiration

  • About
    • Press
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
  • New Here?
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Hire Me
  • 5 Reasons to Subscribe!
  • Build Green
  • Gardening
  • Green Business
  • Green Living
  • Green Home
  • Recycling
  • Tech

Growing Onions from Seeds and Sets

February 25, 2014 By: Anna2 Comments

 

Growing onion from seed

Onions and I have a love/hate relationship.  I love them and they hate me.  I have attempted to grow onions from  seed or onion sets numerous times.  What do I get?  Puny onions!  Don’t get me started on red onions.  Talk about really small-why-did-I-bother-onions.

 Growing Onions from Seeds

Normally onions grown by seed need at  least four months to mature.  Northern gardeners have to start their seeds inside in order to eek out an onion.  Cool weather causes the tops to grow and warm weather causes the bulb to grow.

I start my seeds in the middle of February and their baby hair  are just now getting wispy.  (See the picture above.)

See my video here (which includes growing leeks.)

[leadplayer_vid id=”530416FC17C21″]

Word of Caution!

Choose your seeds wisely.  According to Organic Gardening,

“Short-day onions, such as ‘Red Hamburger’, will form bulbs as soon as days reach 10 to 12 hours long. They’re suitable for southern latitudes only.  Long-day types, like ‘Sweet Sandwich’ and ‘Southport Red Globe’, need 13 to 16 hours of summer daylight in order to form bulbs. They’re the type to grow in more northern latitudes.”

I grow an heirloom variety, Yellow of Parma onion which is a long-day variety.

When to Plant Outdoors

When the seedlings are about four inches tall, you can start to harden them off to be planted in the garden.  If you are  sowing seeds into the garden, then plant four to six weeks before your last frost date.  Sow your seeds 1/2 inch deep.

Some like to grow their seeds closer together and then thin them to six inches apart.

I never sow my seeds directly into the bed.  I plant my indoor grown seedlings 6 inches apart.  Once the soil warms up I mulch the seedlings with  leaves.  Be sure to use markers where your seedlings are planted.  They look like weeds and you might pull them accidentally.  (Done this.)

Onions don’t like weeds so be extra vigilant in weeding.

Growing Onion Sets

Onions grown from Onion Sets

Onion sets and I have a really tempestuous relationship.  Some rot right away and the majority of them bolt too soon so my onions are small.  Again, my issues may be weather related so if you have been successful with onion sets, simply disregard my frustration.

If you want to try your hand at onion sets, plant onion sets four to six weeks before your frost date.  If you live in a mild climate, you can plant onion sets in the fall.  Read here on how to plant onion sets–complete with a video of me planting those cute little sets.

Organic sets can be purchased here.

  • Maine Potato Lady
  • Stargazer Perennials
  • Some sets at Gardens Alive are organic.

If you buy onion sets locally, smaller is better.

Word of Advice

Be sure to evenly water your onion plants.  Too much water, they will rot and too little, they will split.  There are no “do-overs” with onions.  They are not very forgiving.  (Again, been there.)

This Year May be the Year of the Onion!

This year I started my seeds early.  In years past, I started in March.  *Fingers crossed*  this year will be  a winner.  I will be planting red onion sets since I don’t have red onion seeds.

Hopefully this year’s weather will be better.  Last year, it was cold then hot then cold again.  My onions bolted (flowered) and that was the end of my onion career for last year.

Also, one my G+ gardening friends suggested I plant onion seedlings in the fall for a Spring harvest.  He said I would be much happier with the results.  So, what do I have to lose?

Join the Conversation:

  • Do you grow onions?
  • Any advice for this frustrated gardener?

 

Similar Posts:

  • Growing Onions from Onion Sets
  • Growing Onion Sets + Planting Video.
  • Harvesting Onions: Learn from my First Year Experience
  • Grow Plants from Seeds. 4 Reasons Why you Should
  • Growing Leeks From Seed

Grow From Seed Mini Course

Grow From Seed Mini Course

About Anna

Anna Hackman is the editor of Green Talk, and owner of The Naked Botanical and a avid (okay obsessed) gardener. She also loves video and podcasting and hosts Green Talk TV and Green Talk Radio. Her most important role is being a mother of four boys.

Chat with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest , and Google+.

Comments

  1. 1

    margie says

    March 2, 2014 at 4:11 am

    on planting your onions have you tried adding some bagged steer manure and bone meal? My girlfriend grew them with bonemeal and they were huge, just a thought. Happy onion planting, Margie in Nevada.

    Reply
    • 2

      Anna@Green Talk says

      March 2, 2014 at 10:30 am

      Margie, great idea. I actually converted my chicken bones into bone meal. Anna

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Shop from Anna’s Farm– The Naked Botanical– Farm Fresh Teas, Salts & Body Products

The Naked Botanical Click HERE

Save Money By Growing Your Plants Indoors.

Three Must Have Equipment "

Grab My Free Mini Course

Connect with Me

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Popular Posts

  • Organic Color Systems: Wash those Grays Away with a Safer Hair Color

  • Coffee Grounds in the Garden: Friend or Foe?

  • Celery Leaves: Cook or Discard them?

  • Freeze Cucumbers & Learn How to Use Them.

  • Hydrogen Peroxide + Ears = Bye to Colds. A Remedy that Works

  • Orange Peel Vinegar Cleaner. Make Your Own Green Cleaner

  • 15 Ways to Recycle or Repurpose Your Underwear

Recent Posts

  • How to Grow Grains in a Small Garden
  • Proper Lighting to Grow Seeds Indoors.
  • Gone Vegan: And Loving My New Life
  • Sleep On Latex: A Healthier Mattress to Sleep Better
  • Eco-Friendly Multi-Use Yard Living. Eat and Enjoy.

Popular Posts

  • Organic Color Systems: Wash those Grays Away with a Safer Hair Color

  • Coffee Grounds in the Garden: Friend or Foe?

  • Celery Leaves: Cook or Discard them?

RSS Green Talk TV

  • Hibiscus in the high tunnel and some discoveries I found.
  • Turmeric indoor sowing time!
  • Short snippet of creating a rose hydrosol
  • Elderberry, more uses than just for health
  • The Naked Botanical's Gift Boxes

Copyright Green Talk © 2025 · Website Designed by Clever Kiwi