What To Know
- The first step in growing onions and garlic is selecting the right varieties for your climate and intended use.
- Pull onions from the ground or cut the tops off and let them cure in the sun for a week or two.
- Dig up the garlic bulbs and allow them to dry in a cool, well-ventilated area for a week or two.
Learning how to grow onions and garlic is a rewarding experience. These pungent alliums are staples in many cuisines, offering a wealth of flavor and health benefits. Growing them at home allows you to enjoy fresh, homegrown produce and control the quality of your food. This comprehensive guide will take you through every step, from seed selection to harvesting, ensuring a bountiful harvest of these flavorful bulbs.
Choosing the Right Varieties
The first step in growing onions and garlic is selecting the right varieties for your climate and intended use.
Onions:
- Short-day onions: These mature quickly and are best suited for warmer climates. Popular varieties include Red Creole, Texas Super Sweet, and Granex.
- Intermediate-day onions: These thrive in moderate climates and offer a good balance of flavor and storage life. Popular varieties include Walla Walla, Yellow Sweet Spanish, and Red Burgundy.
- Long-day onions: These require a longer growing season and are best suited for cooler climates. Popular varieties include White Sweet Spanish, Yellow Globe, and Red Globe.
Garlic:
- Hardneck garlic: This type produces a scape (flower stalk) and has a stronger flavor. Popular varieties include Russian Red, German Red, and Music.
- Softneck garlic: This type does not produce a scape and has a milder flavor. Popular varieties include Italian Early, Silverskin, and Artichoke.
Preparing the Soil
Onions and garlic prefer well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Here’s how to prepare your planting bed:
1. Test your soil: Use a soil test kit to determine the pH and nutrient levels of your soil.
2. Amend the soil: If your soil is too acidic, add lime. If it’s too alkaline, add sulfur. Add compost or aged manure to improve fertility and drainage.
3. Till the soil: Turn over the soil to a depth of 8-10 inches. Remove any weeds or debris.
Planting Onions and Garlic
Onions:
- Direct sowing: Sow onion seeds directly into the ground in early spring or late summer. Space seeds 1/2 inch apart and 1 inch deep.
- Transplanting sets: Plant onion sets in early spring, spacing them 4-6 inches apart.
- Transplanting seedlings: Start onion seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the danger of frost has passed, spacing them 4-6 inches apart.
Garlic:
- Plant cloves in fall: Plant garlic cloves in the fall, 6-8 weeks before the first frost. Space cloves 4-6 inches apart and 2-3 inches deep.
- Plant cloves in spring: You can also plant garlic cloves in early spring, but they may not produce as large of a bulb.
Watering and Fertilizing
Watering:
- Water onions and garlic regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Water deeply during dry periods.
- Avoid overhead watering, as it can lead to fungal diseases.
Fertilizing:
- Apply a balanced fertilizer to the soil before planting.
- Side-dress with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer a few weeks after planting.
- Avoid fertilizing heavily during the last few weeks of growth, as it can reduce bulb size.
Controlling Pests and Diseases
Pests:
- Onion flies: These flies lay eggs in the soil, and the larvae feed on the onions. Cover onion plants with row covers or use insecticidal soap.
- Garlic mites: These mites can cause damage to garlic leaves. Control them by using insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Diseases:
- Onion downy mildew: This fungal disease can affect onion leaves. Control it by using fungicides or planting resistant varieties.
- White rot: This fungal disease can affect both onions and garlic. Rotate crops and practice good sanitation to prevent it.
Harvesting Your Onions and Garlic
Onions:
- Harvest onions when the tops begin to fall over: This usually happens about 3-4 months after planting.
- Pull onions from the ground or cut the tops off and let them cure in the sun for a week or two.
Garlic:
- Harvest garlic when the leaves turn brown and start to die back: This usually happens about 8-10 months after planting.
- Dig up the garlic bulbs and allow them to dry in a cool, well-ventilated area for a week or two.
Storing Your Onions and Garlic
Onions:
- Store onions in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area.
- Avoid storing onions in direct sunlight or near other fruits and vegetables.
Garlic:
- Store garlic in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area.
- You can braid garlic bulbs together for storage or store individual cloves in a container.
Beyond the Basics: Enhancing Your Onion and Garlic Harvest
- Mulching: Mulch around your onion and garlic plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Companion planting: Plant onions and garlic alongside other vegetables that benefit from their pungent aroma, such as carrots, cabbage, and tomatoes.
- Crop rotation: Rotate onions and garlic with other crops every year to help prevent disease.
- Saving seeds: Save seeds from your favorite onion and garlic varieties to grow more plants in the future.
The Final Harvest: Enjoying Your Homegrown Onions and Garlic
Growing onions and garlic is a rewarding experience that allows you to enjoy fresh, flavorful produce from your own garden. Whether you’re adding them to your favorite dishes, preserving them for later use, or simply admiring their beauty, these pungent alliums are a valuable addition to any garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I grow onions and garlic in containers?
A: Yes, you can grow onions and garlic in containers. Choose a pot that is at least 12 inches deep and wide.
Q: How long does it take to grow onions and garlic?
A: Onions take about 3-4 months to mature, while garlic takes about 8-10 months.
Q: What are some good companion plants for onions and garlic?
A: Good companion plants for onions and garlic include carrots, cabbage, tomatoes, and roses.
Q: Can I use onion and garlic bulbs from the grocery store to plant?
A: It’s generally not recommended to use grocery store bulbs for planting. These bulbs are often treated with chemicals that can prevent them from sprouting.
Q: What are some common pests and diseases that affect onions and garlic?
A: Some common pests that affect onions and garlic include onion flies, garlic mites, and aphids. Common diseases include onion downy mildew, white rot, and neck rot.
