Simple and easy Onion planation growing process.
Onion, Allium cepa, is an herbaceous biennial in the family Liliaceae grown for its edible bulb. The stem of the plant is a flattened disc at the base and the tubular leaves form a pseudostem where their sheaths overlap. ... They are generally oval but shape can be variable and occur in clusters of 3–18 to a plant.
How to Purchase and Store Onions
Purchase firm onions that are free of blemishes. The papery orbs shouldn’t have a scent. Onions should be stored in a cool, dark place with plenty of ventilation, according to the National Onion Association. Avoid storing whole unpeeled onions in the refrigerator.
Types of Onions
Yellow onions are your standard cooking onion. I always reach for a yellow onion unless I have some other reason to reach for something else,” says Kim Reddin, the director of public and industry relations for the National Onion Association. “The yellows hold up extremely well over that process of caramelizing because it is a long, slow heat.” Here are more ways to cook with yellow onions.
2. Sweet Onions
Popular sweet onions include Vidalias, Walla Wallas and Mauis. “These well-known varieties have pale yellow skin. The inside may look white but they are yellow,” says Reddin, who fields questions about onions as The Onionista. If you’re looking for an onion that tastes amazing raw in salads, relishes, or chopped as a garnish, go for sweet onions.
3.Red Onions
Red onions are ubiquitous on salads, sandwiches, and other raw preparations partly because of their appealing deep-purple color. Reddin warns, however, “Red onions, specifically, can have a really peppery, spicy flavor to them.” This variety is sweetest from March to September. Red onions pair well with equally strong-flavored greens such as kale or arugula.
4. White Onions
5. Shallots
6.Scallions
Tips for growing onion
1. Start onions from seed or onion plants (not onion sets)
Tired of onions bolting? This first tip for how to grow onions will help you successfully grow onions more than any other tip I can share. If you remember nothing else in this article, remember to start onions from seed or onion plants (not onion sets).
2. Plant the correct type of onion for your location
- Short-Day Onions: Begin bulbing when day-length is 10-12 hours; grow best in the Southern States including the low desert of Arizona. Good types to try: Yellow Granex, Texas Sweet, and Red Creole.
- Intermediate-Day Onions: Begin bulbing when day-length is 12-14 hours; grow best in middle regions of the United States. Good types to try: Yellow Candy and Super Star.
- Long-Day Onions: Begin bulbing when day-length is 14-16 hours; grow best in the Northern States. Good types to try: Walla Walla, Red River, and Highlander.
3. Plant onions at the correct time
Planting onions at the right time is a critical element of how to grow onions successfully. In most areas, the best time to plant onions is 4-6 weeks before the last frost date. Seeds should be started indoors about a month before this.
4. How to plant onions correctly
- Plant onions in an area that gets direct sun (at least 6-8 hours).
- The top foot of the soil must be loose and have good drainage. Add compost to compacted soil before planting to improve drainage and friability.
- Onions grow best in soil with a pH between 6.2 and 6.8. Consider having your soil tested. (I use this soil testing kit). If your soil is too alkaline, amend the bed with peat moss. If your soil is too acidic, add limestone.
5. Feed onions regularly during the growing season
Onions are heavy feeders and benefit from regular additional fertilizer. Feed your onions right after planting with an organic fertilizer high in phosphorus.
Feed onions again 3 weeks after planting with a high nitrogen organic fertilizer (blood meal, manure, etc.)
Continue to feed your onions about every 3 weeks during the growing season to encourage large leaves and onion tops. Once onions begin bulbing, do not fertilize.
6. Water onions correctly
- After planting, water onions well.
- Water deeply after each application of fertilizer.
- Between fertilizing, water onions once the top inch or so of dirt is dry.
- Yellow-tinged leaves are a sign of overwatering; cut back on the water.
- When the onion tops begin to fall over, stop watering.
7. Harvest onions at the right time
As the onion nears harvest time, the lower leaves on the onion plant will begin to wither and dry up, and then the stems will fall over. This means the onion bulbs have finished developing and are almost ready to harvest.
Once the tops of most of the onions have fallen over, stop watering and leave the onions in the ground for another week or so.
8. Cure onions after harvesting
Let harvested onions cure in the field or a dry place for at least 2 days to dry out completely. Cover onions with leaves from other onions to prevent sunscald.
Onions are dry when the area where the leaves connect to the bulb is dry. Once they are dry, trim the roots and cut the stem (leaving about 1” of the stem), and bring indoors.
9. Use bolted onions right away
If the center stalk of the onion becomes thick and tall and then develops a flower stalk, the onion is bolting.
During the growing season, onions will occasionally bolt as a reaction to stress (cold, heat, lack of water, etc.) Bolted onions must be eaten right away; they will not store well. If onions bolt or flower during the season, harvest and use them as soon as possible.
10. Store harvested onions correctly
Throw away decaying onions before storing. Store onions in a dry cool place, ideally not touching each other. A great way to store onions is in mesh net bags (I use these mesh bags from Amazon) hung up in a cool place.
Onions are nutrient-dense, meaning they’re low in calories but high in vitamins and minerals. One medium onion has just 44 calories but delivers a considerable dose of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Onions contain antioxidants and compounds that fight inflammation, decrease triglycerides, and reduce cholesterol levels — all of which may lower heart disease risk. Their potent anti-inflammatory properties may also help reduce high blood pressure and protect against blood clots.
Antioxidants are compounds that inhibit oxidation, a process that leads to cellular damage and contributes to diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Onions are an excellent source of antioxidants. In fact, they contain over 25 different varieties of flavonoid antioxidants.
Eating vegetables of the Allium genus like garlic and onions has been linked to a lower risk of certain cancers, including stomach and colorectal.
Eating onions may help control blood sugar, which is especially significant for people with diabetes or prediabetes.
Though dairy gets much of the credit for boosting bone health, many other foods, including onions, may help support strong bones.
Onions can fight potentially dangerous bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus (
Onions are a rich source of fiber and prebiotics, which are necessary for optimal gut health.
Onions are a staple in kitchens around the world.
They give flavor to savory dishes and can be enjoyed either raw or cooked.
What is the side effect of onion?
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