skip to main content

Total newbie wants to plant onions

15 years ago

After reading about them in a seed catalog I thought I wanted to plant Egyptian walking onions. But then after searching the net it seems they're better used as green onions, that's not what I want. I'm in N FL, does anybody have any suggestions that might work for me? Also, are they best planted in the fall, like garlic?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

yopper
15 years ago
I am as far from Fl. as you can be and still be in the U,S,I know nothing about gardening in Fl.I would suggest that you google dixendale farms and use their plants. YOPPER
User
15 years ago
Since I have not died from eating my bunching onions, I now consider myself an expert.

You said that you did not want green onions, so I assume you want the bulbing type. Dixondale farms is an excellent source, and their site has good information. I bought from them last year, with very good results. However, you can buy some of the same named plants from Wal-Mart or Lowe's, for a lot less. That is what I am trying this year.

For our area (southern parts of the US), a short day onion works best. IMO, you just cannot beat the 1015Y. It does well here.

If you buy small plants, the time to plant is now. In fact, for my area, January 15 is the date to shoot for. If you buy from Dixondale, they will use your zip code, and send the onion plants when the time is right for your area, unless you ask them not to.

I tried the onion sets (small bulbs) and had horrible luck with them. I planted in the fall, and most bolted the following spring. Onions are very sensitive to temperature, and if you have intermittent warm and cool spells, the bi-annual onion will think it is time to send up a bloom stalk. Unless you want to save seed, that is a bad thing. You can eat an onion that is forming a bloom stalk, but the bulb may not be solid, and (in my experience) cannot be stored with much success.

Good luck,
John
Related Discussions
onion and garlic newbie questions
Q
Comments (10)
Hi Ann, I used seed, sets, and plants over the years and settled on plants. So long as cost or special varieties are not major factors I think you'll find plants more convenient and productive, and there are many varieties available. You do want to plant them as soon as the soil can be worked as they are quite cold hardy. If you don't think your soil will be workable by the end on April, just ask Dixondale to ship a little later. I would suggest a sweet variety such as Walla Walla, and a longer storage type such as Big Daddy. Garlic usually goes in the ground in mid October. Plant the cloves pointed end up (no need to peel them) about 2-3" deep and cover with a good 2-4 inches of mulch. You can grow both hardneck and softneck types in your area and I would suggest a mix. As with onions, make sure the soil is well worked (compost recommended), and space them about 5-6" apart in rows 12" apart. The best place I have found to buy garlic is from local growers, who can often be found at local garlic festivals or gatherings in September or October. They will have varieties well suited for your area and can provide a lot of professional advice - and they are cheaper! Plus I have found larger heads of garlic from them, which does affect the size of the garlic you grow. Plant only the largest cloves from each head and eat the smaller ones. The Ron Engeland book is very good but is aimed mainly at commercial organic farmers. Another good book is "The Great Garlic Book" by Chester Aaron. Both are available on Amazon. Hope this helps! Tom
...See More
newbie needs advice on what onions to plant?
Q
Comments (1)
I don't do a lot of onion growing indoors but I'll take a guess based on a bunch of outdoor experience. If you keep feeding the pearl onions, you should get a good amount of green before they get enough light to bolt. Plant for plant, I have had more top growth with pearl / normal onions than the bunching variety but usually the bunching are better for using whole as scallions. Also, onions from seed are going to take longer to get to usable size than planting pearl onions / sets so you could probably do both and get tops from the bunching ones after the pearls decide to bolt.
...See More
Newbie Onion question
Q
Comments (1)
Sure give it a try. Just plant the whole onion. Most likely it will bolt and put up a flower. You will not get a much other then onion seeds. I do this every spring with onions I have stored over the winter, so I have seed for the next planting.
...See More
Total newbie giving this a shot
Q
Comments (1)
http://www.humeseeds.com/comp1.htm It grows especially well with onions, carrots, radishes, and strawberries. Can be planted with cucumbers. I would imagine to start them off in a pot first at the same time. It doesn't really matter when or how. Just wait till the lettuce is about 3 inches or more.
...See More
watermelon7
15 years ago
Egyptian onions don't have much a problem with bolting as other onions do. Egyptian onions are very cold resistant, so they are classified as perennial, instead of bi-annual, like many other onions. Many people who grow Egyptian onions use them as green onion, but many people wait until the onion matures for full, or complete, onions. You can also eat the stalk and bulblets at the top.

Related Stories

LAUNDRY ROOMS Room of the Day: The Laundry Room No One Wants to Leave

By Becky Harris

The Hardworking Home: Ocean views, vaulted ceilings and extensive counter and storage space make this hub a joy to work in

WORKING WITH PROS 10 Things Decorators Want You to Know About What They Do

By Laura Gaskill

They do more than pick pretty colors. Here's what decorators can do for you — and how you can help them

HOUSEPLANTS 8 Essentials for Healthy Indoor Plants

Houseplants add so much to our homes — and can thrive when grown in the right conditions. Keep these tips in mind

FRONT YARD IDEAS 10 Ideas for a Front-Yard Edible Garden Your Neighbors Will Love

By Laura Gaskill

Choosing attractive, well-mannered plants and sharing the bounty will go a long way toward keeping the peace

SUMMER GARDENING How to Grow Basil

By Marianne Lipanovich

Bright color, quick growth and endless uses for cooking make this summer annual a winner in the garden or a pot

GARDENING GUIDES Oh, Deer! 10 Native Flowers That Stand Up to the Herds

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Keeping a garden amid hungry deer can be hard, but these plants should fare well

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to Design a Meadow Garden Everyone Will Love

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Petite grasses or sedges plus flowers make for a manageable landscape that welcomes wildlife

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Tips for Beginning Gardeners

By Laura Gaskill

With a simple sketch, basic tools and the right plants, you’ll be on your way to growing your first flowers or edibles

PETS 6 Ways to Help Your Dog and Landscape Play Nicely Together

By Marianne Lipanovich

Keep your prized plantings intact and your dog happy too, with this wisdom from an expert gardener and dog guardian

CONTAINER GARDENS 7 Deer-Resistant Flowers for Your Summer Containers

Grow these as protection for edibles or just for their colorful beauty — deer might not like them, but everyone else will

Sponsored

Landscape Management Group

29 Reviews

High Quality Landscaping Services in Columbus

More Discussions

Walking Onions Pollination

0

comfrey tea overwintered

1