We just harvested a lot of onions, and the smell is just incredibly nice! It has always been a staple in our kitchen. It offers loads of health benefits, and it’s also a great addition to any dish. It can be roasted, pickled, caramelized, sliced thinly, or chopped and served raw in salads, sandwiches, dips, or as a garnish for tacos, making them among the most versatile ingredients.
Today, we will explore why planting onions is a must in your garden and how it could benefit your health.
Why Plant Onions In Your Garden?
Onions are incredibly easy to grow, making them perfect for beginner gardeners. They require minimal maintenance and can thrive in a variety of soil conditions, making them a reliable crop year after year. Whether you have a sprawling garden or just a few pots on your balcony, onions can fit into any space.
One of the best things about growing onions is their versatility in the kitchen. When you grow your own onions, you can harvest them at their peak freshness, making them extra tasty for your meals.
How to Grow Onions
- Start by selecting a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil. (Onions prefer slightly acidic soil, so consider testing your soil’s pH before planting.)
- Plant onion sets or seeds about 1 inch deep and 4 inches apart, and keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing season. (Onions are ready to harvest when the tops turn yellow and start to fall over.)
- Pull them up gently and let them dry in a warm, well-ventilated area for a few days before storing them in a cool, dry place.
A few easy tips to harvest onions and how to make them grow bigger from our friend, @jacks_patch
To harvest onions, you just need to use one hand and a tool like a fork so you can lift the bulb and, at the same time, pull from the green stem and avoid breaking the roots or the shoots.
Alternatively, you can use a hori hori knife to cut around the base of the plant and pull it out pretty easily.
Cut the green shoots when the onions are small. This will redirect the energies that were going into the flower to the bulb and make it swollen and grow bigger!
Adding onions to your garden is a no-brainer. They’re easy to grow, delicious, and offer a wide range of health benefits. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting, planting onions is a simple and rewarding way to enhance your garden and your health.
Happy growing!
