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How to grow onions
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Did you know that garlic, chives, leeks and green onions (scallions) all belong to the onion family? Most varieties of onions need to grow their tops in cool weather and to form their bulbs in warmer weather. Onions are very sensitive to daylight and so they are divided into short- and long-day varieties. The former need at least about 12 hours of sunlight in early summer and the latter, approximately 15 hours. The amount of light controls the formation of bulbs. Onions are also voraciously hungry; they need manure and fertilizer prior to planting. Each square foot of soil for most varieties needs about a pound of manure. Onion plants should be placed about 3 inches apart. Seedlings can be difficult, so you may wish to use transplants.
Planting OnionsTry growing some of these types of onions: ChivesMoist, rich soil and plenty of sun and trimmings or "haircuts" will result in healthy chives. Common chives are mostly evergreen in mild climates, but become dormant in harsh winter regions. Planting Chives Chives easily can grow from seeds, which
require darkness, moisture, and 60-70°F temperatures. Sow ¼
inch deep. Begin snipping the blades when they are about 6 inches tall.
Since chives grow in clumps, they multiply to form small plants. Divide
your chives every 3 years or so. Want to know more about growing and dividing chives? Check the No Thyme Productions site. GarlicYou can buy and plant garlic cloves from your local supermarket if you don't want to acquire cloves from someone else's nursery. Garlic likes fertile soil and full sun, though it can survive in some shade. Planting Garlic Plant individual cloves (not heads) with the pointed end up after the first frosts. The clove should be inserted about 2 inches deep and 1 foot apart. When the flower stalks appear, cut them off; otherwise you won't get many cloves. When the leaves begin to turn brown and yellow (about midsummer), you can uproot your garlic. For more information about growing garlic and other Italian spices and ingredients, check Seeds from Italy. ScallionsAlmost any variety of the common onion can be used as a green onion if you harvest when the bulb is small, though "scallions" usually mean the non-bulbing types of onion. Protect your scallions from weeds. They like raised beds. Planting ScallionsYou should plant seeds indoors about 8 weeks before the last frost if you live in a cooler climate, and transplant about 3 weeks before the last frost. Place plants about 2-4 inches apart about ½ inch apart and cover with about ¼ inch of soil. Germinate 4-5 days Cornell University offers tips on growing scallions. LeeksLeeks do not bulb as do regular onions, but they require a mild, cool climate with lots of sun. If you live in a hot climate, consider planting your leeks in partial shade. Always keep the soil moist. Planting LeeksPlant leek plants about 3 inches apart and cover with about 1/8 inch of soil. As plants grow, make mounds of soil around the stalks just short of the leaf joints. When you harvest, lift the clumps with a spading fork, and then shake the leeks to remove dirt. Germinate 8-12 days Tired of potato-leek soup? Make some tomato-leek soup. ShallotsBoth the bulbs and the young shoots of shallots are edible. If you live in a mild-climate, you can plant your shallots in the fall and harvest in the winter. In colder regions, you'll need to plant your shallots very early in the spring. Shallots love fertile, damp soil. Planting ShallotsPlant cloves about 6 inches apart and cover with ½ inch of soil. You can tell the bulbs are mature when the tops yellow and die (most plants can be harvested after 3 months); pull up clumps and separate the bulbs. You should let the bulbs dry for about a month. Learn more about growing shallots.
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Tips for growing vegetables: Artichoke Tips for growing other herbs: Anise
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