Q&A for How to Plant Onions

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After planting onions in the soil, after how many days should we harvest?

Andrew Carberry, MPH
Food Systems Expert
Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.

Andrew Carberry, MPH

Food Systems Expert

Expert Answer

Onions take 100-175 days to be ready for harvest.

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Question

What are the best types of onion for arid areas?

Andrew Carberry, MPH
Food Systems Expert
Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.

Andrew Carberry, MPH

Food Systems Expert

Expert Answer

Bulb onions are the best for dry areas. Try varieties like Red creole, Bombay red, or Texas grano.

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How many months should I wait to harvest the onion?

Community Answer

Onions should take about 5 months. They will be ready to harvest when their leaves are dry.

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Question

How are onions cultivated?

Community Answer

the most reliable way is plant onion sets (these are tiny onion bulbs). Plant these on the surface of prepared soil no more than about 5mm deep (just deep enough to get the roots into the soil). Keep an eye on them until they are established, as they tend to shove themselves out of the ground as they put down roots. Birds can also be nuisance pulling them up in their search for insects and grubs. keep them weed free with the hoe and harvest when ready.

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Question

How will I know when they're ready to harvest?

Community Answer

Usually, they're ready when the tops show signs of no longer growing, as signified by them bending over.

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Question

How long does it take for an onion to grow?

Community Answer

Green onions can be ready in 20 to 30 days after planting. Dry bulb onions can take 100 to 175 days to reach maturity.

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Question

Is there anything I need to do to increase the size of the onion? I've been told to not let the onion go to seed.

Community Answer

Maybe cut off the top so that it doesn't drop seeds. Keep it in a small yogurt pot or container -- that way, if it does go to seed, they will fall out of the pot.

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