Onions 101: From Seed to Storage Without the Guesswork

Intro: Lessons From the Garden

The first year I tried to grow onions, I thought it was simple—stick a few sets in the ground and wait for bulbs. By midsummer, the tops looked healthy enough, but when I pulled them, the bulbs were soft, small, and many sprouted in storage within weeks. That season taught me what every homesteader eventually learns: onions don’t forgive shortcuts.

Done right, though, onions reward you with one of the most useful crops on the homestead—food that stores for months, flavors everything you cook, and teaches patience along the way. Let’s walk through how to grow them without the guesswork.

Understanding Onion Types

Onions aren’t one-size-fits-all. Choosing the right type for your climate is the difference between a basket of big bulbs and a patch of disappointment.

• Long-day onions: Need 14–16 hours of summer daylight to form bulbs. Best for northern states (Zones 3–6).

• Short-day onions: Begin bulbing at 10–12 hours of daylight. Perfect for the South (Zones 7–10).

• Day-neutral onions: Bulb at 12–14 hours. Versatile for mid-range growers (Zones 5–8).

Avoid This Mistake: Planting a long-day onion in Florida or a short-day onion in Michigan. The plant simply won’t bulb right. Match the onion type to your zone before you even touch the soil.

When to Plant (by USDA Zone)

Timing onions is as important as type. Here’s a simple guide:

• Zones 3–5: Start seeds indoors in late winter, transplant in early spring.

• Zones 6–7: Direct sow or transplant in early spring, once soil is workable.

• Zones 8–10: Plant short-day onions in fall or winter for spring harvest.

You’ll see onions offered as seeds, sets, or transplants:

• Seeds give you the widest variety, but take time.

• Transplants (young seedlings) are a good middle ground.

• Sets (tiny dormant bulbs) are easy to plant but often bolt (go to seed) instead of bulbing.

Grandma’s Tip: “Plant onions when the soil is workable, but never when it’s waterlogged—roots need to breathe.”

Soil Prep Done Right

Onions need loose, fertile ground with excellent drainage. If your soil crusts or compacts, bulbs will twist and fork instead of swelling cleanly.

Step-by-Step Prep Checklist:

1. Till or loosen soil at least 8–10 inches deep.

2. Add compost to improve fertility and drainage.

3. Work in a balanced fertilizer, heavy on nitrogen early.

4. Clear rocks and debris—onion roots are shallow.

5. Mulch lightly to control weeds, but keep soil surface loose.

Weed control matters more than most realize. Onions don’t compete well, and a bed left weedy will stunt bulbs. A quick weekly pass with a hoe goes further than you think.

Watering and Feeding Schedule

Onions are shallow-rooted, which means they dry out quickly. The goal is consistent moisture, not heavy soaking.

• Seedling stage: Keep soil evenly moist.

• Bulb formation: About 1 inch of water per week, more in hot spells.

• Late season: Reduce watering as bulbs mature to improve curing.

Feeding follows the same rhythm:

• Nitrogen every 2–3 weeks until bulbs begin forming.

• Stop nitrogen when you see bulbs swelling.

Pro Tip: If the tops are pale or spindly, they’re asking for more nitrogen. If they’re thick and lush but bulbs aren’t forming, ease off.

From Green Tops to Storage Bulbs

Onion harvest comes with one of the most satisfying sights in the garden: green tops bending over and necks softening. That’s your cue.

Step-by-Step: Harvest & Storage

1. Pull onions gently once 75% of tops have fallen.

2. Cure by laying them in a single layer in a dry, airy spot for 2–3 weeks.

3. Trim tops to an inch and roots close to the bulb once dry.

4. Store in mesh bags, braids, or crates in a cool, dry place (35–55°F).

Region-specific note: In humid climates, focus on airflow during curing—fans can make all the difference. In arid regions, cure in shade so they don’t sunscald.

Faith Tie-In

An onion grows in layers—patiently, steadily, hidden underground until the right time. It reminds me of Ecclesiastes 3:1: “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” Onions teach us to trust the process. The work you put in now pays off later when you’re pulling sweet, solid bulbs for the pantry.

Closing Encouragement

Onions may seem fussy at first, but once you understand type, timing, and care, they become one of the most reliable crops on the homestead. They’re the test crop that teaches patience—and the reward is months of storage food that carries you through the winter.

If you haven’t grown onions before, start small this year: pick the right variety for your USDA zone, prep one good bed, and plant with purpose.

📥 Don’t forget to grab the Onion Planting & Storage Calendar — a printable tool to guide you from seed to storage without second-guessing.