Curious about how to successfully grow candy onions right in your backyard? It’s easy! All you need are some onions and some soil. Plant them in the spring and let them grow until late summer. Harvest them when they are ready, and enjoy!
Here’s an easy step-by-step guide to help you plant candy onions plants successfully:
1. Soil Preparation:
Prepare a well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Till the soil to loosen it and remove any weeds or debris. Consider adding compost or aged manure to enrich the soil with nutrients.
- Choosing the Right Spot: Find a sunny area in your garden where the soil drains water well. Candy onions plants love Sunlight and good drainage.
- Improving the Soil: Improve your soil by adding compost or well-rotted manure. This gives your onions the nutrients they need to grow strong.
2. Selecting Seeds or Sets:
Choose organic candy onion seeds or sets (small bulbs). Ensure they are certified organic to maintain an organic growing process from start to finish.
3. Planting Depth:
Plant onion sets or seeds in early spring once the soil is workable and temperatures are consistently above freezing. Space the sets or seeds about 4-6 inches apart in rows that are 12-18 inches apart. Plant the sets or seeds about 1 inch deep in the soil.
- How Deep to Plant: Plant your candy onion seeds approximately 1 inch deep into the soil. Gently cover them with a light layer of soil. Ensure they are neither buried too deeply nor placed too close to the surface.
4. Watering:
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during the early stages of growth. Onions require regular watering to develop properly.
5. Mulching:
Apply organic mulch such as straw or shredded leaves around the onion plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
6. Fertilizing:
Use organic fertilizers, such as compost or fish emulsion, to provide additional nutrients to the onion plants. Apply the fertilizer according to package instructions, typically every few weeks during the growing season.
7. Weeding:
Keep the onion bed free from weeds to reduce competition for nutrients and water. Hand-pull weeds or use organic weed control methods to avoid introducing synthetic chemicals.
8. Spacing:
- Give Them Room: Plant your onion seeds or set them about 4 to 6 inches apart. This gives each onion enough space to grow without getting crowded.
9. Harvesting:
Master the art of harvesting candy onions at the peak of their flavor. Understand the signs of readiness and the proper techniques for harvesting.
Once harvested, let your onions dry in a well-ventilated area for a few days. After they’ve cured, store them in a cool, dry place for future use.
10. Storage:
Once cured, store the onions in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. Avoid storing them in areas with high humidity or temperatures, as this can cause them to spoil.
8 Things To Consider Before You Grow Candy Onions In Your Garden
Growing candy onions plants can be a rewarding experience. Here’s a detailed guide to help you plant and care for your candy onions plants.
1. Selecting the Right Type:
Decide whether you want to start from seeds, sets, or starts. Seeds are tiny and must be planted in rows, while sets and starts are small bulbs that grow into onions.
2. Ideal Planting Time:
Plant your candy onions plants during the spring when the weather is pleasantly warm, providing an optimal beginning for their growth.
3. Preparing the Soil:
Find a sunny spot in your garden. Candy onions plants love Sunlight, so make sure they get at least six hours of it daily. The soil should be loose and well-draining. Mixing in some compost or well-rotted manure will make the soil rich and perfect for your onions.
4. Planting Depth and Spacing:
If you’re planting seeds, sow them about half an inch deep in rows. Space them apart so they have room to grow. For sets or starts, plant them a bit deeper, about an inch into the soil. Leave a few inches between each plant. Giving them space ensures they have enough nutrients and water to thrive.
5. Watering and Mulching:
Onions need regular but modest watering. Water them often, especially in dry periods, But be careful not to water excessively, as it can lead to problems. Putting straw or leaves around your plants can help the soil stay moist and stop weeds from growing.
6. Protection from Pests:
Watch out for insects such as aphids and onion maggots. These tiny creatures can harm your onions. Natural remedies like neem oil or introducing beneficial insects can help keep these pests away.
7. Harvesting Time:
Be patient! Candy onions need time to grow. They’re typically ready to harvest when their green tops turn yellow and droop. Use a fork to lift them gently from the soil.
8. Storing Your Onions:
After harvesting, cure your onions by letting them dry in a cool, well-ventilated area for a few days. Once they’re dry, store them in a mesh bag or a wooden crate in a cool, dry place. Proper storage ensures they stay fresh for a long time.
3 Different Ways to Grow Candy Onions Plants:
Let’s talk about how you can begin growing candyonions. There are a few ways to do it, and each method has good and not-so-good points. Let’s explore them:
1. Onion Seeds:
- Good Points: Onion seeds give you lots of options, and they don’t cost too much. If you like trying different types of onions, this is a good choice.
- Not-So-Good Points: Growing onions from seeds takes a long time and needs patience. It’s better if you have plenty of time and can wait.
2. Onion Sets:
- Good Points: Onion sets are small onions that have already started a bit. They grow faster than seeds, so you get onions sooner. This is good if you want results more quickly.
- Not-So-Good Points: Sets come in fewer types than seeds. Also, they might get sick more quickly because they are not fully grown.
3. Onion Starts (Young Plants):
- Good Points: Starts are baby onion plants that have already begun growing. They’re easy for beginners and help you get onions faster.
- Not-So-Good Points: Starts can be more expensive than seeds or sets. Sometimes, you need help finding the exact type of onions you want.
Summing Up,
To grow candy onion plants, start by choosing certified organic seeds or sets. Prepare good soil, plant in spring, and water regularly. Use organic mulch and fertilizer, and keep the area free from weeds. Thin out seedlings if they’re too close together. Harvest when the tops turn yellow, then cure and keep the onions in a cool, dry spot. Enjoy your tasty, nutritious homegrown onions all year long.
