Everything in the garden was planted in place - meaning that a package of seeds was opened and sown in the place the vegetables are intended to grow. Onions are fairly easy to get started. Like other vegetables that are root crops, the soil needs to be well draining and free of stones. Make sure to choose a spot that will get full sun most of the day.
The seeds are usually pretty small – about the size of a grain of sand. Please do not leave a geological comment regarding the previous generalized term. Only lightly cover the seeds with soil and sprinkle to get everything nice and moist. Keep the onion bed moist but not wet. Some seeds germinate faster than others. Bright green strings should start punching up towards the warm sun in about 6 – 10 days. You might get some over achievers like the bunching onions I just planted on Sunday. They are up today (Tuesday). You’ll need to thin your sprouts to make room for a healthy crop. The thinned onions can be used like you would chives.
A variety of onions are in for the fall / winter garden:
Flat of Italy
He-Shi-Ko Bunching
Jaune Pailles Des Vertus
White Lisbon Bunching
Yellow of Parma
A package of seeds costs about $2 so the investment isn’t a big one. That small investment helps you to have onions that will allow you to avoid the grocery store more and more while using your money for something else.
I love onions. In fact, whenever I’m driving behind a trailer loaded with onions I roll down the windows and drive behind the truck for as long as possible to enjoy the onion scented air.
Enjoy.
*The Onion Field is a 1973 nonfiction book by Joseph Wambaugh that is set in the fields surrounding Bakersfield, California, my hometown.
3 comments:
Given the subject matter of The Onion Field -- a grisly cop killing -- I was expecting a sadder gardening tale. Relieved that this one had a happy ending.
Happy to hear you are seeding directly in the ground. They look great! I was just told not to do this and that they will actually do better under a light in doors blah blah blah. BUT after seeing your post.. I'm going your route this year :) Thanks!
*Lisa: Happy to provide a happy ending.
*And: My seeds ARE planted under a light if you count the sun! This method has worked for me. If you're planting in a location similar to Bakersfield, California you should do alright. Good luck.
Post a Comment