A Beginners Guide To Growing Onions On The Homestead

On This Episode of The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Harold and Rachel Talk About The Basics Of Growing Onions On Your Homestead.

The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 186 – January 26, 2023

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We Discuss:

Why You Should Grow Onions

• Health Benefits- Health Benefits of Onions
• Culinary Benefits-spicy, sweet, flavoring, 
• Companion Planting Benefits- https://www.masterclass.com/articles/onion-companion-planting-guide 

Onion Types

• Long Day Onions-
  • Initiate bulb formation at 14–16 hours of daylight
  • Zone 6 and colder
  • Usually planted in late winter to early spring
  • Map & Key Features of Short-, Intermediate- & Long-Day Onions 
• Day Neutral Onions
  • Initiate bulb formation at 12–14 hours of daylight
  • Produce best in Zones 5 and 6
• Short Day Onions
  • Initiate bulb formation at 10–12 hours of daylight
  • Require mild winter climates (Zone 7 and warmer)
  • Usually planted in fall and mature in late spring.
• Perennial Onions
  • How to Grow Scallions, Chives and Egyptian Walking Onions for a Perpetual Harvest 
  • Scallions
  • Chives
  • Walking Onions

3 Ways To Plant Biennial Onions

• Seed
• Sets or Bulbs
• Starts or Bunches

Planting Onions From Seed

Benefits Of Growing Onions From Seed

• Self-Sufficiency
• Cost

Disadvantages Of Growing Onions From Seed

• Takes More Time
• A Little More Work

When To Plant Onion Seeds

• 10-12 weeks before the average last frost date in your zone

How To Plant Onion Seed

• Equipment – Shop at Bootstrap Farmer for heavy-duty seed trays
• Proper Soil

Planting The Seeds – Grow Onion – Seed Savers Exchange.

• How To Care For Planted Seeds and Seedlings
• Hardening Off Onion Seedlings
• Transplanting Onion Seedlings
• Caring For Young Onion Seedlings In Your Garden

Planting Onion Sets

• Advantages Of Planting Sets
• Disadvantages Of Planting Sets
• When To Plant Sets

Planting Onion Starts

• Advantages Of Planting Starts
• Disadvantages Of Planting Starts
• When To Plant Starts

Saving Onion Seeds

• Letting Some Of Your Onions Go To Seed
• Harvesting The Onion Seeds
• Storing Onion Seeds

Harvesting Onions

• When To Harvest
• How To Harvest

Storing Onions

• Braiding
• Nylons
• Twisting
• Drying Onions
• Freezing 

This Week’s Recommended Books

• Harold’s Pick – The Good Life by Helen and Scott Nearing – https://amzn.to/3H2FUzO 
• Rachel’s Pick – Ten Acres Enough by Edmund Morris – https://amzn.to/3ZWQl0v

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