What are essential beginner tips for growing onions?

Beginners can't go wrong starting with onion sets. It is generally the way to begin if you wish to save time, as these tiny bulbs get off to a better start than seeds. For this reason, I always recommend onion sets to novice growers. Select one of the bolt-resistant types so that itsheads don't flower prematurely, and you should find it at your local nursery or garden center.

Select onion types to suit your day length zone. Midsummer will not produce good bulbs if Southern types are planted, e.g., Short-day Southern types like 'Texas Sweet,' are right for the South (roughly south of Kansas City), Long-day Northern types like 'Yellow Spanish' for the North (nearly north of Kansas City). Sowing seeds of matched types, either north or south, will produce poor results, small bulbs.

Prepare loose soil enriched with compost. Onions require a well-drained crumbly earth, or else they may rot. I mix in three shovels of compost to the square yard of surface on the plot where I am going to plant. Do not use heavy clay. Your bulbs will appreciate the freedom of fluffy soil in which they can grow and expand.

Focus on bulb expansion as your success indicator. Brush away soil from the shoulders, but avoid disturbing the roots. I like to put the stages on my calendar. After all that wait time, I'm rewarded with firm bulbs ready to go!

Common issues need to be addressed quickly. Yellowing leaves indicate over-watering. Test bulbs for firmness by bending them. Remove the flowering stalks of bolted plants. A prompt response will help keep your plants healthy. Most of what beginners learn is through the experience of growing and caring for their plants.

Lift when half the tops are yellow, and dry in the shade for a fortnight. Your first onion crop is a thing to rejoice in; little and lowly as the planting is, it should ensure further outlay and more extensive cultivation the next season.

Read the full article: How to Grow Onions Successfully at Home