That restless feeling comes on strong after several months of winter. I still walk to the garden several times a week but do not linger. The garden is resting, and nature seems to be in a deep sleep. I will straighten a few fence sections and pick a few dried branches. I continue to return for I know there is always something to experience when you have a garden.
We Mimic Nature
Winter is a time for planning and completing tasks that often go unnoticed. My world seems quiet both inside and outside. Frequent walks through my garden remind me that we are like nature. While we plan, rest, and store energy, we mimic nature. This time of rest is not a waste. It is necessary and productive.
The Onion Family
Leafy greens and my hardy rosemary are the expected performers inside the garden gate during the cool months. But if you grow onions, there is hidden magic happening beneath the soil. The onion family needs to be in the ground during the cold. This is where energy is gathered and used to prepare for their anticipated performance. Garlic, leeks, shallots, and onions are the perfect crops to grow when you become impatient in the winter. Start these early in the season, well before the last spring frost date.
Growing Onions
If you are new to gardening, growing onions is one of the easiest ways to start. The hardest part for me is remembering to get them in the ground when it is cool outside. The cold will not hurt the onion family, and you want to give them as much time as possible to grow tall green tops. The taller your green tops, the bigger the bulb will be when the weather warms.
Trust Mother Nature
I cannot explain how this happens, but Mother Nature takes care of an amazing detail. At a certain point, the greens know to stop growing and pass the energy to the bulbs. The only signals I can identify are warmer temperatures and longer hours of sun during the day. My onions have proven this to be true. I can always tell if I planted a little too late. Shorter top growth is a telltale sign of smaller bulbs. So don’t wait! Growing onions is easy, but timing is essential.
Onion Sets
When growing onions, begin with sets, seeds, or plants. I always plant onion sets. Sets are small onions (without green tops) that will grow into large onions. These are easy and readily available at a local feed and seed, online, or in a big box store. Regardless of how you start, your onions will need a little fertilizer once they are 6 inches high. Dehydrated manure is a good option, but you can also use a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10. Be sure to side-dress your onions to keep the fertilizer from stinging the green tops.
It Is Time
Once the weather warms and the days are longer, the green tops will begin to flop over and eventually turn brown. This is our sign that it is time to harvest. I love this part! You finally get to appreciate what has been happening underground as you rested and made your way through your “to read” stack of books.
Let Them Dry
On this warm sunny day, I pull my onions up and leave them to dry on the dirt, root side up, for several days. I wait until the roots are dry and brittle. Next, I move my onions to a dry, shady spot away from foot traffic and direct sun. They will rest here for about two weeks. I look forward to visiting them and turning them every 2-3 days. Once they are dry, I will move them to the garage. I save the mesh bags from grocery store produce. These are perfect for storing onions. They allow plenty of air to circulate and the drying to continue. I am patient through this process. The dryer my onions, the longer they will last.
Growing Onions
Growing onions is the ideal way to keep visiting the garden when you’ve tried to convince yourself it is too cold. Plant them while it is cool and harvest when it is warm. Plan to grow onions several times a year. You will never be without a fresh onion. Growing onions takes many meals (and you) to a healthier level.
Stay Curious,
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