Onions
This article is written for a general audience so are not going to go into all the variables in the onion world. Onions can be a regional vegetable and different varieties are more suitable for one place or another like the famous Vidalia Onions of Georgia or the 10-15 Y Onions of Texas. Some do best with short days others with longer days.
Onions should be planted from sets (bulbs), or plants. In Texas, plants sold in bunches from early January to February are the most popular.
Onions take a long time to mature. Plant as early as possible for your location. Soil should be well prepared and friable enough to allow expansion of the bulbs as they grow. Sandy soil is best. If you have clay soil mix well with Nature’s Guide Expanded Shale and Nature’s Guide Lava Sand to allow growth and maintain the constant moisture supply important for sweet onions. A dry then wet cycle can cause onions to be hot and strong tasting. A constant moisture supply encourages them to grow large and maintain sweetness.
Plant close together then use thinnings for green onions. As the bulbs form, carefully run your finger around them to keep the soil pulled away.
When the tops show signs of dying the plants are reaching maturity. After half the tops are withered it is time to harvest. To store, wash the bulbs and allow them to dry naturally with good air circulation.
Insects are normally not a problem with onions.
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Onion (ready to harvest)