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Growing onions in containers is a good way to cultivate them if you have space problems. Yellow onions are generally used in cooking however, for a sweeter cuisine, white onions are preferred. For a sharper onion flavor try red onions in salads.
Starting your cultivation
Growing onions in pots is quite easy as long as you have the right conditions for cultivating them. Onions require a lot of sun, at least 6-8 hours a day. You can start your cultivation indoors to protect your onions from frost, and then place them outside once the weather warms up. There will be no problems in transplanting as you are already growing onions in containers for easy transportation.
Onions can either be grown starting from seeds, or from sets depending on how much time you have on your hands. Seeds will naturally require more time to develop compared to sets. There are those who say that growing onions from sets will give off a more dependable plant compared to seeds.
The specifications of your pot or container
You can choose growing onions in pots made of terra cotta or plastic. Others prefer plastic containers as they are more durable and light weight compared to terra cotta pots. Plastic containers also hold moisture better, which is important for onion bulbs. Drill drainage holes of whatever container you would prefer and line the bottom with little pieces of terra cotta pots or small pebbles. Others use fiber glass netting that help keep in soil during watering and also prevent insects from going into the soil through the holes.
Your pot should be at least 8-10 inches deep for your onion bulbs. If you need to grow large onions, use a box container that is 24 inches long and 12 inches wide. This will allow you to grow at least 10 onions the size of a softball if you will put your mind to it.
Preparing your soil or potting mix
Onions prefer a light, loamy soil to grow. Do not use garden soil when growing onions in containers as they can contain weeds and fungus that can destroy your crops. You can have a potting mix of garden soil bought from the garden store, perlite, and sphagnum. Mix it with fertilizer or mature compost. Mature compost is ideal as it does not contain too much nitrogen compared to immature compost as well as fertilizers. When you are growing onions in pots, too much nitrogen can produce little bulbs. A pH of 6.0-7.5 is ideal although some say onions prefer an acidic environment of 5.5-6.5. Till the soil and put in a good amount of compost, and you are all set. Just make sure that the soil is moist but not wet. A potting mixture that sticks to your boots is too wet for planting onions and can promote fungal growth. Wait a couple of days when the soil is a bit dryer before you start planting your onons.
Seeds
Plant your seeds around the middle of October. Sow the seeds directly on the soil and cover them with an inch of compost. Water the seeds using a fine mist, taking care not to wash them away. The seeds will sprout around 7-10 days, depending upon type of onion and the temperature of the soil. Once the sprouts reach 4 inches tall, thin them by leaving at least 3-4 inches between each plant and 12 inches between rows to promote bulb development. Others thin crops at around 8-10 weeks so they can use the green leaves for cooking.
Sets
Sets are easier to grow and have a lower casualty rate compared to seeds. It is different from a transplant as it already has a bulb of about an inch in diameter. Transplants are just onion leaves without the having a developed bulbs at the roots. They are a bit more expensive compared to seeds as they are already established onions. When you buy sets for growing onions in containers, inspect the roots and do not buy sets that have pink roots. These onions have a fungal infection and will not survive even long after you have planted them.
Plant the sets by placing them in the soil with only the tops of the sets showing. Space the onion sets 4 inches from each other with 12 inches between rows.
Care and Harvesting
If you started growing onions in pots inside your house and intend to place them outside once weather conditions permit, remember to take the time to harden them off. Place the container first by a partially open window several hours a day for a few days. Afterwards open the window fully and let the container stay there the whole day for a week before you bring the container outside. It is recommended that you move them outside two to three weeks before the last expected frost.
Take care to water your onions regularly by giving your onions an inch of water every week. Side-dress your onions with mature compost or give them compost tea every two weeks. You can use slow-release fertilizer, but organically grown onions are better tasting in comparison. Do not give your crops too much nitrogen as this will stunt bulb development. Over-fertilizing is quite easy to achieve when growing onions in containers, so take care when you use fertilizers.
Keep away cutworms and maggots by purchasing parasitic nematodes from your local nursery. Place them along the planting area and they will take care of these pests for you. Onion flies are also a problem when growing onions in pots. These flies will lay eggs right at the neck of the onion. You can prevent this by choosing to grow onions from sets as well as tilling the soil around the onions to destroy the eggs.
Scallions or the green onions can be harvested once they reach 6 inches stall. Onions are ready for harvesting when the tops start to bend or fall and turn yellow. Keep an eye on your onions during this period as harvesting your onions before or after maturity will result in poor flavor. Harvest the bulb by digging it out and letting it air dry for a week in a cool, dark, and dry place. Once you get the hang of it, you will be addicted to growing onions in containers. Just remember to cycle the soil to prevent pink roots from happening.
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