Nutritional Value of Onions
Onions are packed with nutrients that are beneficial for our health. Just one onion contains only 40 calories but is high in vitamin C, vitamin B6, and manganese. Onions are also a good source of fiber, folate, vitamin K1, and various other antioxidants. The many health-promoting compounds in onions include quercetin, allicin, and flavonoids. Thanks to these nutrients, onions may help reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers. They also have anti-inflammatory properties and can help manage blood sugar levels. By growing onions from seed, you gain access to all the nutritional benefits fresh onion bulbs offer.
Varieties Of Onion Seeds
When shopping for blackseed, you’ll find a variety of types to choose from. Two main categories are short-day and long-day varieties. Short-day onions, such as yellow onions, do best in areas with long summers and bulb earlier than long-day types. Long-day onions need more daylight hours to bulb and do best in northern climates. Common varieties home gardeners may want to try include:
– Yellow Onions: Versatile all-purpose onions like ‘Yellow Granex’ and ‘Sweet Spanish’ with mild flavors.
– Red Onions: Colorful Onion Seeds such as ‘Red Baron’ or ‘Red Wing’ with sweet, mellow flavors.
– White Onions: Crisp onions including ‘Puget White’ and ‘Candy’ that are milder than yellows.
– Scallions: Heat-tolerant types perfect for continuous harvests like ‘Evergreen Hardy White’.
– Storage Onions: Productive bulbs storing well such as ‘Walla Walla’ and ‘Copra’ ideal for fall harvest.
Starting Onion Seeds
Most home gardeners start blackseed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost date in their area. This allows onion seedlings to get a head start and produce larger bulbs come fall. Here are some tips for indoor seed starting:
– Use a seed starting mix formulated to drain well. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and sprinkle a small amount of vermiculite on top.
– Place the container in a warm, sunny location like a south-facing windowsill. Keep the soil consistently moist by misting as needed.
– Once sprouted, provide seedlings with indirect light and continue watering to avoid drying out. Hardening off is important before transplanting outside.
– Consider starting seeds in biodegradable peat pots that can be planted in the ground without disturbing roots. This makes transplanting easier on young seedlings.
Caring For Onion Seedlings Outdoors
When nighttime lows are reliably above freezing, it’s safe to transplant onion seedlings outdoors. Aim for 6-inch spacings in prepared beds or rows. Here are best practices for transplanting and caring for onion seedlings in the garden:
– Acclimate seedlings to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days by gradually exposing them to more sunlight each day during hardening off. This reduces transplant shock.
– Transplant on a cloudy, cool day if possible to limit stress on tender seedling roots and leaves. Gently remove from pots or peat pods and plant at a shallow depth, pressing soil firmly around roots.
– After transplanting, water well and apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds. Continue watering regularly for 2-3 weeks as roots become established.
– Once established, onions require 1-2 inches of water per week from rain or irrigation. Avoid overwatering which can cause bulbs to split or rot.
– Weed control is important, as competition for nutrients and water can otherwise reduce onion bulb size. Hand-pull weeds or use a hoe.
Most onions will be ready for harvest in late summer after the foliage begins to fall over and dry out naturally. Allow bulbs another 1-2 weeks of drying time in the ground before carefully extracting. Cut off tops, leaving 1-2 inches of stem, and cure bulbs in a warm, dry, airy location for 2-3 weeks before braiding or storing. Properly cured onions can last 2-3 months when kept in a dry, cool, dark place with good air circulation. Enjoy the rewards of homegrown onions! By starting from seed, you gain control over variety selection as well as satisfaction from producing your own crop.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
About Author - Ravina Pandya
Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. With an MBA in E-commerce, she has an expertise in SEO-optimized content that resonates with industry professionals. LinkedIn Profile