Starting Onions From Seed

 January is time to start tomato and onion seeds so they will be ready to put in the ground as soon as the ground can be worked. 

Onion seeds take 6 weeks to form starts for transplanting.

By starting from seed you can have the kind of onions you want and even try some exotic types.

I scatter them in my trays filled with clean, moist potting soil and cover them with a light coating of potting soil. I keep them covered until they germinate and then let them grow in a warm place until they are about 6″ high.  At about 6″ high I cut them back to about 2″ high which helps them grow underground.  I then harden them off a couple hours a day giving them more sunshine and within a week or two they have formed sturdy stalks and are ready to put into the garden. 

Egyptian walking onions are becoming more popular all the time. By gathering the bulbs in the fall I can put them into another place in my SFG by pressed them into the soil and watering them. The small bulbs of the walking onions are very good in pickling, canning or dishes where I want a good onion flavor without the onions falling apart.

And so it begins – a new year and a new growing season!