Many individuals would like to grow onions, but they just don’t have the space due to a small garden or even no garden at all. However, they can try growing onions in pots as an alternative!
You can grow onions indoors or in a small area of your backyard if you grow them in pots. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to grow onions in pots.
We will teach you how to plant them, when and where to plant them, and how to care for your onion plants so you can harvest them successfully.
Table of Contents
Tools And Supplies
- Plant pot with drainage holes
- Onion sets, prepared onion sprouts, or transplants
- Potting soil
- Compost
- Gardening gloves
- Trowel
How To Plant Onions In Pots
Step 1
To prepare the pots for planting, fill them with a mixture of two-thirds potting soil and one-third compost, making sure the soil level is about an inch below the top edge of the pot.
Step 2
For each onion you want to plant, dig a small hole in the ground 2 to 3 inches deep with your finger. They should be 4 to 5 inches apart.
Step 3
Put an onion set in each hole, root ends down, and then gently press the earth around each one to keep it in place.
When To Plant Onions In Pots
When the soil temperature in your growing zone reaches at least 60 degrees, around spring, that is the ideal time to plant onions in pots.
It should be noted that onions can be planted in the fall for early summer harvest in the southern part of the country where winters are mild.
You can either opt to plant onion sets, baby onion bulbs, or grow your own onions from seed. Onions produced from seed must be planted inside about 8 weeks before the final day of frost in your area.
Where To Plant Onions In Pots
You must position the onion pot where it will get 6 to 7 hours of light.
If you are growing onions indoors and don’t have access to enough natural light, you can provide additional light by placing fluorescent grow lamps next to the onions.
Caring For Your Onion Plants
Onion gardening in pots is very similar to onion gardening in the ground. You need healthy soil, sufficient drainage, quality fertilizer, and lots of light.
Because your onions won’t have as much access to the naturally stored rainfall from the surrounding soil as onions planted in the ground do, water is essential for producing onions in pot gardens.
In a hot climate, onions grown in pots may need as much as 4 inches of water every week.
Water the soil thoroughly to ensure that it is fully hydrated and that water is dripping from the container’s bottom holes.
To avoid root rot, be sure to keep an eye on the soil moisture in the pots and water the plants after the top inch of the soil has dried out.
After a month, you can give the plants a small amount of organic fertilizer like Dr. Earth Organic 5 Tomato, Vegetable & Herb Fertilizer.
Harvesting And Storing Your Onion Plants
Harvesting
Depending on your growing zone, mature onions are often ready for harvest 3 to 4 months after planting, typically in the late summer or early fall.
Onions should ideally be harvested in the early morning hours before it gets too hot or sunny.
When the leaves start to turn yellow and fall over, the onions are ready to be harvested. With the plants still attached, carefully remove the onions from the ground, and then gently shake the soil off the bulbs.
Onions should be picked before they bolt. Bolted onions should be used right away because they won’t store properly.
Storing
Fresh onions can be kept in the refrigerator in a plastic bag for immediate use. Onions must be prepared in advance for extended storage outside of the refrigerator.
Place the onions out to dry for 2 to 3 weeks in a place that’s cool, dry, and shaded, such as a garage or shed.
When the tops of the onions are completely dried and the skin has begun to crack, the onions are deemed to be cured.
For a minimum of 3 months, keep cured onions in a basket, crate, or other well-ventilated container in a cold, dark, dry place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Size Pot Do I Need For Growing Onions?
The size of the pot is important while growing onions. It will work best if the pot has a width proportional to the height and a depth of at least 6 inches.
When growing, the onion tops should be at least 2 inches apart from one another and not touch.
What Type Of Onions Should I Grow In Pots?
Onion cultivars of many kinds thrive when grown in a pot, but Red Creole is the most well-liked variety. This particular variety of onions has been engineered to thrive in container gardening.
The Walla Walla Sweet Onion, Sweet Spanish White, and Golden Creole are further cultivars that excel in pots.
What Soil Should I Use For Growing Onions In Pots?
The need for good soil is essential for growing onions successfully in pots.
The ideal soil for growing onions is sandy loam. It shouldn’t be overly clay or sand-heavy and should contain a lot of organic material.
You can even make sandy loam soil at home by adding a generous helping of compost, peat moss, and sand to your potting soil.
Final Thoughts
Limited space doesn’t mean you can’t do something you love like gardening.
If you want to grow onions in pots, you’ll have no problem doing so with our complete guide. Now, go grab a pot and get to growing!
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- Golden Kiwi vs Green Kiwi – which is the best?
- The ultimate guide to growing Serrano Peppers in pots
- How to grow mushrooms in Georgia
- How long are brussel sprouts good for?
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