The Ultimate Guide to Growing Onions from Seeds

Growing Onions from Seeds is Surprisingly Easy

If you've done your research and have the necessary materials, growing onions from seed shouldn't prove to be all too difficult, but there are a few things you need to know first. To start with, where should you grow your onions and with what sort of soil? Well, onions love fertile soil that drains well.

As to where you can grow them there are two options. You can start growing them inside and then transfer them outside later on or you can just plant them directly in the garden. The ease of this is what makes onion growing so popular.

When should you plant them? The best time to plant your onions is in Spring as this will give them the best chance of growth. So it's springtime, you've decided to plant your onions outdoors, now what?

It's important to remember that onion seeds, when planted, should be put about 2 and a ½ centimeters into the ground and 1 and ½ centimeters away from each other (an inch deep and half an inch away respectively).

Once you've done this germination can begin. Germination takes around a week for onions but this will be heavily dependent, as with other plants, on the temperature of the soil. If your soil is quite cool then this process may take longer, if warmer (to an extent) it should germinate more quickly but give it up to a week as a point of reference.

Once the week is up and the germination process is over, you should to see your onions grow. In this growth period they require constant watering to ensure the soil around them remains moist.

Once the tops of the onion leaves lay over, this is the indication that your watering process can cease. This will happen towards the end of summer and is also an indication that they are ready to be lifted. While this is the process of growing onions from seeds outside, some people prefer to germinate the onions indoors and then transfer them. While this method is a bit more complex, with a little instruction, it too can be achieved.

How to Begin Growing Your Onions Inside

To grow your onions from seeds inside you're going to need a bit more equipment than if you were growing them solely outside. The things you will need are containers with small holes in them (to allow drainage), seed starting mix (pre-moistened) and a source of heat that is around 21-24 degrees (70-75F).

Once you have gathered the required ingredients you are going to want to fill your containers with the seed starting mix. Once filled you can place your seeds on top of the soil and slightly moisten. Then you can cover the exposed seeds with ¾ of a centimeter of soil (1/8th of an inch). Place them under your source of heat and voila, your onions are ready to begin germinating.

After this the process is quite similar to the method portrayed above. The germinating will take around the same time (7 days or so). Once the seeds do sprout, however, you are going to want to remove them from the source of the heat and place them in a cool location under lights.

You are going to want to water them every two weeks with a combination of a small amount of compost and water (sometimes called compost tea). You will also want to keep the tops of the seedlings around 3 inches (or 5 cm) high. This will prevent any complications and the trimmings can be composted or even used on pizza.

Now you are ready to make the transition from indoors to out. To do this you're going to have to expose your onion seedlings to a few conditions so they can gradually adapt. Begin by keeping them in a location outside that is protected from extreme weather for a few hours a day. Increase it slowly until they remain there overnight.

Once they have successfully remained outside overnight they are ready to be transplanted. You are going to want to select a location that receives a large amount of sunlight, this is essential to the growth of the potatoes.

Once again, you should choose soil that is rich and full of nutrients, you can tweak original soil to these conditions by adding a little compost or fertilizer if you so desire. To transplant the seeds you are going to want to grasp your container gently and turn it upside down, while holding your hand over the seedlings, and then shake it. Sometimes the roots of the plant will break in this process; this shouldn't be too much of a worry but make sure you do the steps gently as to reduce the risk of damage.

Once out plant the seedlings 2 and a ½ centimeters into the ground and 1 and ½ centimeters away from each other (inch deep and half an inch away respectively). Once transplanted, moisten the soil surrounding the seedlings, they will need to be watered quite regularly as they have quite shallow roots. There you have it, a definitive, two method guide to growing onions from seeds.

Plant Stage	Watering Frequency	Special Conditions	Time In Stage
Germinating (under heat).	At this stage watering should occur with the purpose of keeping the soil moist at all time.	Placed under a source of heat that maintains a range between 21 and 24 degrees (70-75F)	This stage will take up to 7 days depending on your plants.
Post-germination.	Post-germination watering should occur around once a fortnight.	At this point your seeds should be removed from the source of heat and placed under a source of light.	4 Weeks.
Transitionary Process.	Once a fortnight.	This stage is all about gradually exposing your seedlings to the conditions they will experience outside.	1 week+.
Outside.	Regularily.	Your seeds are now outside and ready to finish the process of growing. When the tops of the onions flop over you will know they are ready to be harvested.	Until the tops flop over (generally around late summer).

There is always the possibility for external complications when planting anything. By understanding the conditions necessary you are reducing the risks but there is never a 100% guarantee of success.

Now, Its Quiz time :)
How Long did it Take Your Onions to Germinate? Type your answer in comments section

1. >4 days
2. 4-5 days
3. 5-6 days
4. 7+ days