Planting Tips: Although onions are most easily grown by setting out sets or plants, you don’t usually get much choice in varieties that way. We like to grow onions from seed because some of our favorite varieties are only available economically in seed form. Start your onion seeds in deep containers or larger packs about eight weeks before you plan to set them in the garden. Plant seeds about 1/8″ deep, water well, then cover the container with a plastic bag to hold humidity and place it in a warm spot — behind our wood stove works perfectly. The seeds will germinate in less than a week, and as soon as they do, move them into sunlight and continue caring for them.

As the seedlings grow, they’ll eventually get too tall. No problem — just give them a “haircut” with scissors, trimming them back to about an inch and a half tall. This encourages thicker, sturdier plants. You may need to repeat the trimming a few times before transplanting. When the soil is ready, set the plants out in the garden about three inches apart, planting them to the same depth they were growing in the pot. As they grow, thin to six inches apart, and enjoy the thinnings as salad fixings.

Harvesting Tips: When the onions are mature, the tops will start falling over and drying. Harvest on a dry day and let them lie in the garden for a day or two to allow the leaves and skin to dry. Brush off any dirt and bring them to a protected spot to cure. Once cured, cut the tops off about an inch above the bulb and store the onions in a moderately cool location. Some varieties will store only a few weeks, so eat them fresh or freeze or dry them for later use. Others, like Clear Dawn, will store well all winter.

Seed Saving Tips: To save seed, leave a few onions in the garden and cover them lightly with mulch. In the spring, remove the mulch and let them grow. They’ll send up tall seed stalks that bloom and form seed heads. When the heads are dry, harvest them gently into a paper bag, then shake the bag and stalks to release the seeds. Dry thoroughly and store in an airtight container. Remember, onions are insect-pollinated, and different varieties will cross unless they’re well isolated. To prevent crossing in smaller gardens, grow only one variety per year.

Note: As we live in the North, all of our onions are long-day varieties, which do best in northern climates but not as well in the South, where short-day onions perform better. In southern areas, long-day onions may not bulb up properly.