Shallots are a popular vegetable among home gardeners because they have a wide variety of uses, are easy to grow, and don't take up a lot of space. In addition, they have a short growing period so you can start harvesting in the spring, then dry and store them for use in the winter.
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Part 1 of 2: Preparing for Planting
Step 1. Select the type of onion you want to grow
As with most fruits and vegetables, there are many interesting variations of onions for different reasons. Shallots come in three common colors - white, yellow, and red/purple - each with a distinct taste. In addition, shallots are grouped into two types of growing time: long day and short day. Shallots fall into the category of long daylight because they begin to grow when the day is between 14-16 hours long (late spring/summer), while onions that fall into the category of short daylight begin to grow when the day is between 10- 12 hours (winter/early spring).
- Shallots with long daylight are perfect for growing in the northern US, while onions with short days are perfect for growing in the southern US.
- Yellow onions are red onions that are golden in color and have a slightly sweet taste, white onions have a slightly sharper taste and aroma than yellow onions, and red onions are purple onions and are often eaten fresh rather than cooked.
Step 2. Decide how you will grow the onions
In general, there are two popular ways to grow onions: using onion bulbs or using onion seeds. Farmers prefer to plant with bulbs, as they are slightly tougher and more resistant to bad weather than onion seeds. However, if you can afford and want to grow onions from seed indoors and transplant them outdoors, you can definitely grow your onions from seed.
- You can choose to grow onions from grafts/cuttings, but this doesn't always work and is much more difficult to do than using bulbs or seeds.
- Visit a local seed seller for recommendations on bulbs and seeds that will grow well in your area.
Step 3. Know when to plant
Onions can be difficult to grow if they are not planted at the right time. If planted in cold weather, they can die or waste their energy in the form of flowers instead of bulbs in the spring. If you are growing seeds, start planting them indoors at least 6 weeks before planting outdoors. Onions can be grown outdoors in late March or early April, or when the temperature does not drop below -7 °C.
Step 4. Choose the ideal location
Onions aren't very picky when it comes to growing season, but they do have some preferences. Choose a place with plenty of space and full sun. Onions will grow quite large if they are given enough space, so keep in mind that the more space you give them to grow, the bigger onions you will get. Do not plant onions in a location that is shaded by plants or large trees.
Onions grow well in beds, so if you don't have enough garden space, you can create separate beds for your onion plants
Step 5. Prepare the soil
Although it takes some thought out, if you can prepare the soil for growing media a few months in advance, you'll end up with better onion plants. If possible, start tilling the soil and adding fertilizer in the fall. If your soil contains a lot of rock, sand, or a lot of clay, mix in some potting soil (a mixture of loam, peat, sand and fertilizer) to help improve the planting medium. Also, test your soil's pH level and add the necessary compounds to keep your soil's pH level in the 6 to 7.5 range.
The best time to test and change soil pH is at least a month before planting, so that any additional ingredients have sufficient time to have an effect on the soil and prepare the foundation for onions to grow
Part 2 of 2: Growing Onions
Step 1. Prepare the soil
When you are ready to plant, till the soil to a depth of about 15.2 cm and add a layer of phosphorus fertilizer (1 cup per 6 meters). Using a mix like 10-20-10 or 0-20-0 will give an added boost to your onion development. At this point, be sure to remove any weeds that appear on the plot of land you used to grow your onions.
Step 2. Dig the hole
Plant onion bulbs or seeds no more than 2.5 cm deep from the soil surface; if too many bulbs are planted, onion growth will be reduced and narrowed. Plant the onion bulbs at a distance of 10, 2-15, 2 cm, and the onion seeds at a distance of 2.5-5, 1 cm. When the onions start to grow, you can move them and space them further apart to increase the size of their growth.
Step 3. Plant the onions
Place the seeds in the hole you dug, then cover with 1.25 to 2.5 cm of soil. Use your hands or shoes to compact the soil over the onions; Onions grow better in dense, not loose soil. Finish planting by adding a little water, and you're ready to watch your plants grow!
Grafted onions require more water than bulb- or seed-grown onions, so you'll need to provide additional moisture if you grow these types of onions
Step 4. Take care of your onion growing medium
Onions are relatively weak plants, because they have a fragile root system and are easily damaged or exploited by weeds and from being pulled. Use a hoe to cut off the tops of any weeds that appear, not uproot them; pulling weeds can pull the roots of your onion plant into it, and make it difficult to grow. Water your onions with about 2.5 cm of water per week, and supplement with nitrogen fertilizer once a month to provide nutrients. One month after planting, add a layer of mulch between each plant to retain moisture and prevent weeds from growing.
- If you want your onions to taste a little sweeter, give them more water than usual.
- If any of your onion plants bloom, remove them. These onions have 'locked in' and will not grow to their normal size or taste.
Step 5. Harvest your onions
Onions are ready to be harvested when the shoots are golden yellow; at this point, bend the shoot until it lies flat on the ground. This will transfer more nutrients to enlarge the tuber, not to grow the shoots. After 24 hours, the shoots will be brown and the onions are ready to be removed. Remove your onions from the soil and trim the shoots about 2.5 cm above the bulbs and roots. Let the onions dry for a day or two in the sun, then move them to a dry place indoors for 2-4 weeks to continue drying.
- Store your onions in a hollow sack or on a wire mesh to provide good airflow while the onions are drying. This will help the onions last longer and retain their flavor.
- Sweet onions will rot faster because of their high water content, so consume them first to prevent spoilage.
- Discard, or chop and use, any onions that show signs of rotting so they don't spread the disease to other onions in storage.
Tips
- To start growing onions early, plant the bulbs in a container filled with moist potting soil two weeks before you transplant them into the garden. Keep the containers indoors so they can grow and develop a root system by the time you're ready to plant them.
- To help prevent disease and pests, try growing turnips on the same plot of soil as your onions.
Warning
- While onions are generally resistant to pests, they can occasionally become victims of root maggots that feed on the bulbs. Insecticidal soap, used according to the directions on the package, usually solves this problem.
- Different varieties of onions require different lengths of growing season, and are better suited to warm or cold climates. Buy local onions to make sure you get the right type of onion for your area.
