5 Things I Learned About Growing the Perfect Onions
After years of trial and error, this year I finally had a bumper onion crop! Growing onions might seem straightforward, but getting them to thrive takes a bit of know-how. Here are the top five lessons I learned along the way and why they worked so well.
1. Choose the Right Growing Method: Starts Over Sets
One of the biggest changes I made this year was growing my onions from starts rather than sets. Onion sets (small bulbs) often produce onions that bolt or split because they’ve already started their lifecycle. Starts (young plants) have a better chance of growing into large, uniform bulbs because they begin fresh in your soil.
Why it Works:
Onion starts are more stable and less likely to bolt, giving them a full growing season to mature properly. This was a game-changer for me!
2. Use Sandy, Well-Drained Soil
I adjusted the soil in my garden beds this year by adding more sand to improve drainage. Onions don’t like to sit in waterlogged soil—it can cause the bulbs to rot or develop poorly.
Why it Works:
Sandy soil keeps the roots from getting too wet and allows the bulbs to expand more easily. It also creates the loose texture onions need to thrive. If your soil is heavy or clay-like, adding sand can make all the difference.
3. Stick to a Consistent Watering Schedule
This year, I made sure my onions had a steady supply of water without overdoing it. Onions need consistent moisture, especially in the early stages of growth, but they don’t like standing water.
Why it Works:
Inconsistent watering can stress the plants, causing smaller bulbs or uneven growth. By keeping the soil moist but not soggy, the onions grew steadily, resulting in a healthy, uniform crop.
4. Skip Topping the Onions
I’ve tried the popular trick of topping onions (cutting back the green tops) in past years to encourage bulb growth, but it never seemed to work for me. This year, I let the tops grow freely, and the onions did much better.
Why it Didn’t Work for Me Before:
While topping can redirect the plant’s energy to the bulb, it can also stress the plant if done too early or too often. Healthy green tops help the onion store energy through photosynthesis, which is essential for producing large bulbs. Letting the tops grow allowed the plants to focus on their natural growth process.
5. Plant in Raised Garden Beds
This year’s crop thrived in my garden beds, and I’m convinced the raised structure played a big role. Garden beds provide better control over soil quality, drainage, and space.
Why it Works:
Raised beds warm up faster in spring, encouraging early growth. They also offer excellent drainage and keep weeds at bay, giving onions the space and nutrients they need to grow.
Final Thoughts
Growing onions has been a learning experience, but this year’s success proved that a few key adjustments can make a huge difference. Starting with the right plants, using sandy soil, keeping a consistent watering schedule, skipping topping, and planting in garden beds all contributed to my best onion harvest yet.
If you’re looking to grow the perfect onions, give these tips a try. Have any onion-growing tips or tricks of your own? Share them in the comments—I’m always looking to learn more!