If you enjoyed this video, please “like” and share to help increase its reach! Thanks for watching 😊TIMESTAMPS for convenience: 0:00 How To Grow The Best Onions 1:00 Tip #1: Onion Seeds VS Onion Sets 4:06 Tip #2: Onion Varieties And Day Length 5:29 Tip #3: When To Plant Onions 7:53 Tip #4: The Best Soil For Growing Onions 9:13 Tip #5: Interplanting Onions 11:24 Tip #6: Irrigating And Fertilizing Onions 13:44 My Biggest Onion Tip For New Growers 15:18 Adventures With Dale
What varieties are good for southern MO? Are they STRONG ONIONS? Those are my favorite kinds. All they have around here are the tasteless "sweet onions".
This was the best video by far on growing onion bulbs one of the local neighbors is a avid small gardener and I was talking to her I noticed she had beautiful Onions the ones in the garden too lol she said her father-in-law put a drip irrigation system for her and that year she finally got her onions to bulb up they were Georgeous so between her and your video I'm assuming that drip irrigation is the big key factor also the loose soil and precise fertilization . Thanks for taking the time to help out other gardeners I just turned 72 and I'm still learning I love it
I have clay soil and I am trying to add rabbit manure and hay, leaves, straw. But I just got onion plants and they say to plant in sand? Can I add sand on top of the garden bed i have prepared?
In this video you day to add a balanced fertilizer like tomatoe Miracle grow. Can you please tell us how often you add this fertilizer after the onions start bulbing ?
If I have learned anything about planting onions, it's that I never seem to plant enough. Each year I think, "that's too many," and each year so far, I have been wrong. Then again, that statement may be true about everything I grow... I hope I never find the limit!
My thoughts about how much I plant differs greatly from when I’m planting to when I’m harvesting…..every year I think, “what was I thinking” …..then a long hard winter comes, then seed starting is like being a kid in a candy store(I want it all 🙄), then my garden grows a little bigger every year 🤷🏼♀️ I can’t help it 😏
I love this video. I love how I don’t have to watch an hour of video because You do such a great job of great information in a very short time. Great job!
Watching your videos have helped me finally figure out how to plant onions. This is my first year trying to garden and for some reason onions were confusing me!
Onions are confusing. They’re a more advanced crop. It took me many years to give them a try and 3 seasons before I figured them out. But, like anything, once you figure it out, it becomes easy. Finding the varieties that work and nailing the timing is key. Once you have that hammered down, they are really easy since they’re practically pest and disease free.
Walking onions are really good to grow they don’t make big bulbs but they grow bulbs on top of the plants and they are Perenial and last for probably over 20 years. There cold hardy to everywhere in the United States except the north most of Alaska zone 3 or 2 to zone 9 or 10. There very hardy to kill even more then normal onions. They can walk there bulbils throughout there garden the only thing is they don’t make seeds or flower they have to grown from the bulbils but the bulbils have almost 100 percent germinationz
Thank you so much. A timely video for many of us. I favor scallions from cut root end rehydrated in water before planting completely surrounding the garden. Rabbits and deer stay out. I'm going to get seeds to start onions. I'll have to watch this again. Zone 6a in Connecticut valley. Do you use grow lights to start? I'll check your channel. We do no dig no till. Small backyard garden for 2 old folks keeping us young.
Great video. In North Texas, I start my seeds in October and transplant in January. I enjoy growing from seeds because #1 more selections than the local nursery and #2 I like to see how many varieties that are not short day that I can actually grow.
I am in Antigua in the Caribbean and after watching your video last season I decided to grow onions for the first time and ordered my Short Day onion seeds. Here we go. I pray for success.
Here (in Finland) the onion sets are heat treated and they work well 😊 my attempts growing onions from seed have been not successful. The growing season is quite short and either cool or downright cold. If ya wanna get the success with seeds, gotta start quite early inside the house.. it just becomes too much work. The sets can be a really good option if ur conditions are like ours 😌
I got some some sprouted leeks and onions 🧅 from a nursery that sells LOCAL VARIETIES. I am trying yellow granex seeds again for the 3rd time. I had success with BUNCHING ONIONS, never bulbing onions. This may be my year.
So i saw corn 🌽 planted next to your harvested corn (dead corn stalks) was interrupted in yields to the point that some plants closer to the older didnt yield any at all. So, do peppers accept onions planted closer to them than other pepper plants (what distance if so?) and 2. How can oneself interplant in between covers like irish moss, corsican mint, scleranthus uniflorus, wooly thyme? (These grow very short to the ground like a lawn)
Ok we are late to the game 😢 but we will try it anyway!! This week we will plant some onion seeds!! We are in Moore County zone 8a so I think we will have some good results!
I try onions first time last year, I start them from seed inside under lights, but no sure why they didn't grow, they were about 4 inch tall, I plant them outside anyway.. the biggest they got was like scallions\ size .. any ideas anyone with more xp?
Just a comment....I already know everything abt growing onions, but o watched your video cuz I'm a new sub. You actually did a great 👍 job at explaining everything 👏. You talk a little fast, but it's fine for me cuz my 29yr old son talks just like you. So I just wanna say "GREAT JOB"
The plants will grow like seed grown onions, since they’re shipping transplants. They will grow well, but you’ll save a lot of $ if you start your own seed.
Super comprehensive. Learned great things regarding fertilizing and why seeds may be a better option. Have some sets and some seeds will see how it goes because like you said, seeds are a cheaper option. Thanks!
I grow onions from bulbs, but the bulbs I buy are really tiny. I tried from seeds and ended up with bulbs the size you planted. Those big bulbs would most of the time go to seeds producing. If you plant bulbs you need a tiny such. I guarantee I have 98% success.
I just learned a heap of information from you. I grow in large pots and have had lots of success with it and I've always been concerned about wasting so much space in them so I think I'll be growing some onions around my peppers and tomatoes and not in their own pot . Since some bugs don't like onions this is a win for me .
I did all three. First I planted some sets. Then I ordered some garlic sets but somehow it was a bundle with 100 each red, yellow, and white transplants. I also planted a pack of yellow onion seeds and one of Vidalia type onions. I have no idea what I am going to do with all those onions
I think I’m going to try to start seeds for onions, shallots and leeks. Then I can put them in and plant my other plants around them. Thanks for your excellent information ❤🌻🌸🌺🌼 Give Dale a hug 🤗 ❤
Can you make a viddy about growing long day onions indoors with leds and a grow tent? should we only give six hours or so of light until a certain growth length and then bump it up to 14-16 hours of light?
I don’t use grow lights, so I am not a good person to ask. I imagine if you do that, you’ll need to naturally simulate the slow, progressively lengthening days beginning in winter and moving through spring and summer. If you leave the lights on a long time from the start, you may trigger bulbing too early.
I have learned so much from your videos..didn't realize I need to be planting short day onions and planting seeds are better than sets. I truly enjoy seeing Dale, the fig connoisseur. Also, you are adorably handsome....I can say this, I'm a grandma.😊
Hey, buddy! An excellent video as always! Have you tried any Italian onion varieties? If you hit any markets in Italy, you'll see all sorts of onions that we just don't have in this country. Some of them are so sweet, you can almost eat them like apples... Seeds are readily available both online and in markets.
Thanks! No, I have not. The reason why is because the first onions I ever grew from seed were Yellow Granex, and they’re so good, I haven’t desired anything else. Italian onions may be tricky for me, since I’m further south than any point in Italy. I would have to maybe see what they grow in Sicily. Italy is mostly at a long day / intermediate day latitude, so I would have to find something that does well further south and give it a try.
THANK YOU!!!! Best onion growing video I've found yet, partly bc finally an onion growing help in my latitude!! North GA here. Looks like I'll be starting my seeds this week. I've heard enough about the benefits from seeds over sets so I bought seed for this year. I've got Texas Grano and Red Grano, I'm assuming they are short day varieties and it looks like I'll be mailing my Walla Walla package north to my sibs in Michigan! Thanks again!!!!
Yep...."a little bit of learning is a dangerous thing". For 3 years I have bought, planted, and failed in my attempt to grow the great Italian Cipolline baking onion. MG's video prompted me to look up the Day Length and it is, in fact, a Long Day variety. I live in 7B, square in Intermediate Day onion territory; double darn.
It may be doable if you play with the calendar some. You may need to start it several weeks earlier so it begins to bulb when days aren’t quite maximum. You also can get more bulbing with heavier fertilizing. I would bet you’re under feeding or not giving enough nitrogen early. You’ll never get onions as perfect as someone in the proper zone, but growing one zone off should put you somewhere in the ballpark with 60-75% of the results.
Ok. Thank you! I always thought I needed to keep feeding them nitrogen till harvest time; but it makes sense, how are they gonna bulb if I don't give them a break. Onion pesto is not my favorite
What is the black material you are using for ground cover in your garden area? When you put down a raised bed frame are you put the framing on top of that covering and cut out the inside or keeping it intact to use as a barrier?
It is weed barrier. I have it linked in my Amazon Storefront if you want the same kind. It is only in the aisles. It is not under the beds themselves. This is why I use it here: th-cam.com/video/XT1reOI1-5E/w-d-xo.html
I usually germinate them outside in the sun on warmer days or in my sunroom, so they’re beating in 55-60 degree sunshine. If it is cold your way, you can use a seedling mat.
Thanks! I work from home, so he’s always home, but we take him to a local place a couple times a month for him to have fun and play with other dogs. It is good for him socially.
Great video. I'm at 35 degrees latitude (southern Tennessee) and even though I got some decent onions, I really want to go to the next step. My biggest mistake last year: I planted too late. Started my seeds indoors in Feb I think.
Lots of good tips. I grow a spectacular local heirloom onion exclusive to Amador Co, CA which originated in the Gold Rush days. I plant seed in August, transplant in Nov and harvest the 1st of June. They are the sweetest, largest onions I have ever experienced. Their only drawback is a short storage life. Would be happy to send you some seed if you would like and your climate can accomodate. This year I am also experimenting with Jumbo Sweet Spanish, but have the feeling I have the Long/Short day confused.
I'm contemplating interplanting a strawberry plant in my opinion patch. A quick internet search indicates strawberries are a companion plant to onions. They don't have as deep of roots compared to peppers (eg. to bring up nutrients to the surrounding onions). But I feel like the strawberry runners will help to provide a little bit of shade for the onions. What are your thoughts?!?! P.S. You have the most onion videos compared to all other gardening channels. Thanks for creating so many! They are great 👍👍👍
The best part for me is that I live pretty much in the same zone as you so I just follow what you do and I should be good lol. Thank you for all the help with my gardening.
Thank you. That was so thorough. I’m trying seeds this yr to cut costs and the seed starting time was getting a little confusing. I think I have this now! I’m so excited and ready. Planting this weekend inside
Great video! Comment, a lot of people call onion "starts", onion "sets", so your terminology may be confusing to some by omitting onion starts from your discussion. Once again, great video.
Love your videos. Looking at the length of day chart, I'm confused. If the length of day zones are based on latitude, why are the zones staggered vertically, I would assume that since parallels of latitude are at a constant angle, why are the zones staggered vertically? Just a thought, I live in Farmington, NM in the intermediate zone. As an aside, you said you lived in Pennsylvania. My family was from the Johnstown area and Indiana, PA area. I note an accent, perhaps western PA?
I live in Wilmington, NC. I am just underneath the Intermediate Day zone on the top of the Short Day zone. I used to live in PA. You grow long day onions in PA. I’m south of you, and I sit at 34.09N latitude. Hopefully that makes more sense.
Appreciate your information!! I started onions seeds last year for the 1st time and yielded a nice harvest. I'll use the tips you stated for a better yield. THANKS!!
Great! Thanks! The explanation about onion sets makes me feel way better. I just thought I was crap at growing onions! This coming season, I'll try seeds instead: Hi from Durham.
Thanks so much millenial gardener. Great video as always! I have success with sets in NE Texas 7b/8a. But I'm encouraged by your video to start with seeds this year. Where do you get your shallot seeds?
Thanks! It sets work, you can continue to do so. Sets have been iffy for me, and seed grown onions never miss for a lower cost. I buy Davidor shallot seed from Burpee. They do fantastic at my latitude and Zone 8a.
Great video. I had zero luck last year outside starts (bulbs). But as you said timing is everything. I am determined to use your tips to ensure I get onions this season. Thanks for sharing your experience. PS loved Dale snooping in garden looking for a tasty treat 😉
What worked for me was buying plants not sets from local feed store. Came in bundles of 50 and had great success. I do start from seed too but sometimes things happen like I let them dry out,get too busy, or the germination rate is not the best. So worth it to let them do the hard part.
They’re just seed starts you’re buying. It’s great to support small businesses, but you’re just buying 6-8 week old onion transplants. Just start them from seed. You can start 5,000 of them for the cost of a bunch. Onion seeds cost about $1 per 100 seeds. I don’t know why anyone would buy plants when they’re so much cheaper and easier to start seed yourself.
If you stagger, you’ll find out which plantings work best. It is a good way to figure out the ideal time, and then you copy the ideal time every year moving forward.
Here in Zone 8, winters aren’t much of a challenge for onions. I think they can handle some Zone 7’s, too. Colder Zone 7’s and cooler will be an issue, but in those zones, bulbing onions shouldn’t be planted that early, anyway.
May I ask what kind of camera/cellphone you use to record with? My cellphone videos look like crap compared to yours... I really need to upgrade. Appreciate the info.
It's a real camera. It's a Sony a6400. All the equipment I use is linked in my Amazon Storefront under the Camera Equipment category, so if you like my camera, lens, microphone, etc., I list them all so you can use the same things.
I transplanted my store bought plants in late march. The variety i purchased states 104 days to harvest. That would only be early june to harvest. Your explination set my heart at ease as i was concerned they wouldnt be ready by then. Its only been 1 1/2 months that theyve been in ground. Thank you so much!
I've already started my onion seeds, my first. I'm in Cary. I've never had success with onion bulbs. Hopefully, this year. I'm going to set mine out at the end of February. Any thoughts? Jim
my biggest problem with onions is that 1/3 of them rot in the ground and another 1/3 rot in storage after drying them never could figure out why? could you do something in the future on preventing that
Your presentation is so clear, organized and concise that anyone can feel empowered to try new things and be successful! I love how you explain just enough of the science to tell us why we're doing something but not so much that we get bogged down in TMI. 👍
That’s a shame. Perhaps it was old seed, or it may have endured terrible conditions during shipment that ruined them. I like to order my seeds on a Friday in hopes it ships on Monday, because that gives the whole week to come to minimize delays.
@@TheMillennialGardener Do you have experience direct seeding onions in their permanent spot instead of doing it the transplant way? I started onion seeds this year in February and March (two attempts). For some reason they never took off in both the attempts and stayed limp and weak and eventually the young plants died off. I am thinking of directly planting seeds in raised beds here in Michigan in about two weeks from now. Not sure if they grow successfully this way
The Amazon Storefront link is in the video description. If you expand the video description and click the Amazon Storefront link, it's listed under Disease Prevention and Pest Control.
Last year, I ordered a big box of granulated nitrogen fertilizer. It did not come with any instructions and I never got a response asking how to use it. When you use nitrogen, do you mix it with water or sprinkle granules?
Yikes. That is very dangerous, because without knowing the strength and how to apply it, you can cause harm to your soil. Is it water soluble crystalline synthesized fertilizer? Is it a meal like blood meal? Without knowing, it is hard to tell. Blood meal is an organic granulated product you sprinkle. I’m guessing you ordered something like ammonium nitrate, but that can be processed into either granules for spreading or crystals for mixing in water, so I don’t truly know without seeing it. The safest thing you can do is see if it dissolves in water and be extremely conservative with the amounts if you don’t know the NPK. Too much can cause major fertilizer burn.
@@TheMillennialGardener it's like little tiny pearls. I haven't tried to dissolve it.. so far I've only tilled l little of it it in a few weeks before planting my garlic.. trying to be gentle with it. The pearls are more like granules than crystals.
Yes, but I suggest growing onions from transplant, not direct seeding. Onion seeds only get covered with a light dusting of soil, so the chances of them being washed away or not germinating is high. Onions grow poorly direct sown. They do great as transplants.
From seeds, it's definitely much too late if you want to grow bulbing onions. If you order onion plants, you can probably still plant them. A lot of people order from Dixondale Farms: dixondalefarms.com/product-category/onion-plants/ For green onions, you can plant them year-round in NJ. You can even grow them in winter and harvest the greens, since they're hardy into the teens.
![Turn ONE Sweet Potato Into 100 LBS Of Sweet Potatoes By Growing SWEET POTATO SLIPS! [Complete Guide]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/0igp5IzO21g/mqdefault.jpg)
If you enjoyed this video, please “like” and share to help increase its reach! Thanks for watching 😊TIMESTAMPS for convenience:
0:00 How To Grow The Best Onions
1:00 Tip #1: Onion Seeds VS Onion Sets
4:06 Tip #2: Onion Varieties And Day Length
5:29 Tip #3: When To Plant Onions
7:53 Tip #4: The Best Soil For Growing Onions
9:13 Tip #5: Interplanting Onions
11:24 Tip #6: Irrigating And Fertilizing Onions
13:44 My Biggest Onion Tip For New Growers
15:18 Adventures With Dale
What varieties are good for southern MO? Are they STRONG ONIONS? Those are my favorite kinds. All they have around here are the tasteless "sweet onions".
This was the best video by far on growing onion bulbs one of the local neighbors is a avid small gardener and I was talking to her I noticed she had beautiful
Onions the ones in the garden too lol she said her father-in-law put a drip irrigation system for her and that year she finally got her onions to bulb up they were Georgeous so between her and your video I'm assuming that drip irrigation is the big key factor also the loose soil and precise fertilization . Thanks for taking the time to help out other gardeners I just turned 72 and I'm still learning I love it
Is it too late to plant onions in south jersey?
I have clay soil and I am trying to add rabbit manure and hay, leaves, straw. But I just got onion plants and they say to plant in sand? Can I add sand on top of the garden bed i have prepared?
In this video you day to add a balanced fertilizer like tomatoe Miracle grow. Can you please tell us how often you add this fertilizer after the onions start bulbing ?
If I have learned anything about planting onions, it's that I never seem to plant enough. Each year I think, "that's too many," and each year so far, I have been wrong. Then again, that statement may be true about everything I grow... I hope I never find the limit!
My thoughts about how much I plant differs greatly from when I’m planting to when I’m harvesting…..every year I think, “what was I thinking” …..then a long hard winter comes, then seed starting is like being a kid in a candy store(I want it all 🙄), then my garden grows a little bigger every year 🤷🏼♀️
I can’t help it 😏
Your so right, I say the same thing every year i should have grown more 😀
Yes! And even when you have enough, you get to enjoy giving to friends and family
@RainbowWarriorChris you're
@@elgadgy6508what? Spelling correction police, look out!!!
Fabulous absolutely fabulous!
Thank you! Glad it was helpful.
Great to see you are starting seeds already. Here is to a great 2023 growing season to all!
And you, as well!
I love this video. I love how I don’t have to watch an hour of video because You do such a great job of great information in a very short time. Great job!
Thank you. I try hard to edit them down and provide a short but clear intro.
Watching your videos have helped me finally figure out how to plant onions. This is my first year trying to garden and for some reason onions were confusing me!
Good luck🧅
Onions are confusing. They’re a more advanced crop. It took me many years to give them a try and 3 seasons before I figured them out. But, like anything, once you figure it out, it becomes easy. Finding the varieties that work and nailing the timing is key. Once you have that hammered down, they are really easy since they’re practically pest and disease free.
This is the best and clearest instructional video about onions I’ve ever seen!! Thank you!
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful.
Walking onions are really good to grow they don’t make big bulbs but they grow bulbs on top of the plants and they are Perenial and last for probably over 20 years. There cold hardy to everywhere in the United States except the north most of Alaska zone 3 or 2 to zone 9 or 10. There very hardy to kill even more then normal onions. They can walk there bulbils throughout there garden the only thing is they don’t make seeds or flower they have to grown from the bulbils but the bulbils have almost 100 percent germinationz
Thank you so much. A timely video for many of us. I favor scallions from cut root end rehydrated in water before planting completely surrounding the garden. Rabbits and deer stay out. I'm going to get seeds to start onions. I'll have to watch this again. Zone 6a in Connecticut valley. Do you use grow lights to start? I'll check your channel. We do no dig no till. Small backyard garden for 2 old folks keeping us young.
Great video. In North Texas, I start my seeds in October and transplant in January. I enjoy growing from seeds because #1 more selections than the local nursery and #2 I like to see how many varieties that are not short day that I can actually grow.
I am at Lewisville Lake in North Texas. Please tell me which onions do best. I'd love any advice you can give. Thank you
@@PeaceLoveandPrepping I'm in North fort worth. 1015 Texas super sweet. They get big. Also yellow granex, Texas early white and any short day onions
I am in Antigua in the Caribbean and after watching your video last season I decided to grow onions for the first time and ordered my Short Day onion seeds. Here we go. I pray for success.
Congrats! I’m curious how they’ll work in the tropics. I hope you get back to me later this year and let me know how they did.
@@TheMillennialGardener will do.
Best content on TH-cam. No Hippy shit, literally.
Here (in Finland) the onion sets are heat treated and they work well 😊 my attempts growing onions from seed have been not successful. The growing season is quite short and either cool or downright cold. If ya wanna get the success with seeds, gotta start quite early inside the house.. it just becomes too much work. The sets can be a really good option if ur conditions are like ours 😌
I was stressing out how I'm going to plant 200 onions in my small raised bed garden. But now I'm going to interplant them with my peppers!
It works brilliantly. I had so much success last season doing that.
I got some some sprouted leeks and onions 🧅 from a nursery that sells LOCAL VARIETIES. I am trying yellow granex seeds again for the 3rd time. I had success with BUNCHING ONIONS, never bulbing onions. This may be my year.
So i saw corn 🌽 planted next to your harvested corn (dead corn stalks) was interrupted in yields to the point that some plants closer to the older didnt yield any at all. So, do peppers accept onions planted closer to them than other pepper plants (what distance if so?) and 2. How can oneself interplant in between covers like irish moss, corsican mint, scleranthus uniflorus, wooly thyme? (These grow very short to the ground like a lawn)
This will be my second year growing onions from seed. There are so many more types available when you start from seed!
It is awesome. That is a good Tip #7: variety!
One of the reasons I also grow from seeds
I swear you are psychic. I just bought onion seeds yesterday. Thank you 😊 best onion video ever. Great explanation of day length and seed starting.
Ok we are late to the game 😢 but we will try it anyway!! This week we will plant some onion seeds!! We are in Moore County zone 8a so I think we will have some good results!
I try onions first time last year, I start them from seed inside under lights, but no sure why they didn't grow, they were about 4 inch tall, I plant them outside anyway.. the biggest they got was like scallions\ size .. any ideas anyone with more xp?
Just a comment....I already know everything abt growing onions, but o watched your video cuz I'm a new sub. You actually did a great 👍 job at explaining everything 👏. You talk a little fast, but it's fine for me cuz my 29yr old son talks just like you. So I just wanna say "GREAT JOB"
Great video , love growing onions i never tried seeds once sets they came ok, but i always plant onion plants from dixondale farm.they come great.
The plants will grow like seed grown onions, since they’re shipping transplants. They will grow well, but you’ll save a lot of $ if you start your own seed.
Super comprehensive. Learned great things regarding fertilizing and why seeds may be a better option. Have some sets and some seeds will see how it goes because like you said, seeds are a cheaper option. Thanks!
when i started side dressing with blood meal once a month my onions got huge!
Blood meal is good for onions, particularly when they’re younger.
I grow onions from bulbs, but the bulbs I buy are really tiny. I tried from seeds and ended up with bulbs the size you planted. Those big bulbs would most of the time go to seeds producing. If you plant bulbs you need a tiny such. I guarantee I have 98% success.
I just learned a heap of information from you. I grow in large pots and have had lots of success with it and I've always been concerned about wasting so much space in them so I think I'll be growing some onions around my peppers and tomatoes and not in their own pot . Since some bugs don't like onions this is a win for me .
Onions are one of the best companion plants. Most alliums are. Garlic, leeks, onions and shallots can be squeezed in a lot of places.
I'm very very new to gardening. Can I plant small garlic bulbs with onions?
I did all three. First I planted some sets. Then I ordered some garlic sets but somehow it was a bundle with 100 each red, yellow, and white transplants. I also planted a pack of yellow onion seeds and one of Vidalia type onions. I have no idea what I am going to do with all those onions
I think I’m going to try to start seeds for onions, shallots and leeks. Then I can put them in and plant my other plants around them.
Thanks for your excellent information ❤🌻🌸🌺🌼
Give Dale a hug 🤗 ❤
Can you make a viddy about growing long day onions indoors with leds and a grow tent? should we only give six hours or so of light until a certain growth length and then bump it up to 14-16 hours of light?
I don’t use grow lights, so I am not a good person to ask. I imagine if you do that, you’ll need to naturally simulate the slow, progressively lengthening days beginning in winter and moving through spring and summer. If you leave the lights on a long time from the start, you may trigger bulbing too early.
@@TheMillennialGardener I understand. Thanks for responding. Sorry im only seeing your response now. Have a great day dude
I have learned so much from your videos..didn't realize I need to be planting short day onions and planting seeds are better than sets. I truly enjoy seeing Dale, the fig connoisseur. Also, you are adorably handsome....I can say this, I'm a grandma.😊
Hey, buddy! An excellent video as always! Have you tried any Italian onion varieties? If you hit any markets in Italy, you'll see all sorts of onions that we just don't have in this country. Some of them are so sweet, you can almost eat them like apples... Seeds are readily available both online and in markets.
Thanks! No, I have not. The reason why is because the first onions I ever grew from seed were Yellow Granex, and they’re so good, I haven’t desired anything else. Italian onions may be tricky for me, since I’m further south than any point in Italy. I would have to maybe see what they grow in Sicily. Italy is mostly at a long day / intermediate day latitude, so I would have to find something that does well further south and give it a try.
Great instructional video, thanks!!
Go Dale❣️
Dale sends his love 🐕
THANK YOU!!!! Best onion growing video I've found yet, partly bc finally an onion growing help in my latitude!! North GA here. Looks like I'll be starting my seeds this week. I've heard enough about the benefits from seeds over sets so I bought seed for this year. I've got Texas Grano and Red Grano, I'm assuming they are short day varieties and it looks like I'll be mailing my Walla Walla package north to my sibs in Michigan! Thanks again!!!!
Yep...."a little bit of learning is a dangerous thing". For 3 years I have bought, planted, and failed in my attempt to grow the great Italian Cipolline baking onion. MG's video prompted me to look up the Day Length and it is, in fact, a Long Day variety. I live in 7B, square in Intermediate Day onion territory; double darn.
It may be doable if you play with the calendar some. You may need to start it several weeks earlier so it begins to bulb when days aren’t quite maximum. You also can get more bulbing with heavier fertilizing. I would bet you’re under feeding or not giving enough nitrogen early. You’ll never get onions as perfect as someone in the proper zone, but growing one zone off should put you somewhere in the ballpark with 60-75% of the results.
Thank you so much for such a well done video of the how and the why of planting. It really makes a gardener feel more confident to plant these!
Ok. Thank you! I always thought I needed to keep feeding them nitrogen till harvest time; but it makes sense, how are they gonna bulb if I don't give them a break. Onion pesto is not my favorite
This is an awesome video, new gardener here and unknowingly started my seeds about Jan 10th... Great guidance on what I need to do going forward.
What is the black material you are using for ground cover in your garden area? When you put down a raised bed frame are you put the framing on top of that covering and cut out the inside or keeping it intact to use as a barrier?
It is weed barrier. I have it linked in my Amazon Storefront if you want the same kind. It is only in the aisles. It is not under the beds themselves. This is why I use it here: th-cam.com/video/XT1reOI1-5E/w-d-xo.html
I’ll be following this info exactly.. Zone 8A for me. Thanks again.
When you plant your onion seeds do you use a heat mat under them or is that not necessary?
I usually germinate them outside in the sun on warmer days or in my sunroom, so they’re beating in 55-60 degree sunshine. If it is cold your way, you can use a seedling mat.
I live in Roanoke Virginia. What types would you recommend for my area. Thanks for any input.
Another great tutorial!👍 Thanks!😃 Dale goes to doggie daycare...cute!😃
Thanks! I work from home, so he’s always home, but we take him to a local place a couple times a month for him to have fun and play with other dogs. It is good for him socially.
Great video. I'm at 35 degrees latitude (southern Tennessee) and even though I got some decent onions, I really want to go to the next step. My biggest mistake last year: I planted too late. Started my seeds indoors in Feb I think.
Lots of good tips. I grow a spectacular local heirloom onion exclusive to Amador Co, CA which originated in the Gold Rush days. I plant seed in August, transplant in Nov and harvest the 1st of June. They are the sweetest, largest onions I have ever experienced. Their only drawback is a short storage life. Would be happy to send you some seed if you would like and your climate can accomodate. This year I am also experimenting with Jumbo Sweet Spanish, but have the feeling I have the Long/Short day confused.
I'm contemplating interplanting a strawberry plant in my opinion patch. A quick internet search indicates strawberries are a companion plant to onions. They don't have as deep of roots compared to peppers (eg. to bring up nutrients to the surrounding onions). But I feel like the strawberry runners will help to provide a little bit of shade for the onions. What are your thoughts?!?!
P.S. You have the most onion videos compared to all other gardening channels. Thanks for creating so many! They are great 👍👍👍
Wow! That really was jammed packed with so much great information! Thank you!! You are so wise
Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for watching!
The best part for me is that I live pretty much in the same zone as you so I just follow what you do and I should be good lol. Thank you for all the help with my gardening.
Soo...you forgot to mention onion plants, such as from "Dixondale Farms" In between seeds and sets. I have had great succese!
Growing from seed can still produce flowers in the first year. All it takes is some changes in weather conditions and they'll bolt. 🤷
Thank you. That was so thorough. I’m trying seeds this yr to cut costs and the seed starting time was getting a little confusing. I think I have this now! I’m so excited and ready. Planting this weekend inside
🧅🧅
I never knew any of this about onions! Thank you so much. What type of peppers do you plant with your onions?
You’re welcome! Any pepper is fine. I grow probably 12-16 types a year, hot and sweet. They’re all fine.
Great video!
Comment, a lot of people call onion "starts", onion "sets", so your terminology may be confusing to some by omitting onion starts from your discussion.
Once again, great video.
Thanks so much .. I’m going to give it a try this year , and thanks to you I know I’m destined to succeed ..
Outstanding! Choose the right variety and nail the timing, and onions grow with few problems.
Love your videos. Looking at the length of day chart, I'm confused. If the length of day zones are based on latitude, why are the zones staggered vertically, I would assume that since parallels of latitude are at a constant angle, why are the zones staggered vertically? Just a thought, I live in Farmington, NM in the intermediate zone.
As an aside, you said you lived in Pennsylvania. My family was from the Johnstown area and Indiana, PA area. I note an accent, perhaps western PA?
I live in Wilmington, NC. I am just underneath the Intermediate Day zone on the top of the Short Day zone. I used to live in PA. You grow long day onions in PA. I’m south of you, and I sit at 34.09N latitude. Hopefully that makes more sense.
Thanks for the onion info! Love all your gardening videos.
Thank you!
Thank you MG for the helpful videos! 😊👍
You’re welcome!
Thanks for this video. I will try planting onions for the first time. I live in NY so will start seeds next week.
In NY, you will not want to rush them out. Unless you’re in a very mild zone, mid-March transplants are likely fine.
Excited to start my onions soon and use these tips. Have only used sets before so I'm very curious how they will differ.
Yes 👍 perfect timing! Getting seeds started!
Perfect!
How do you keep squirrels and possums out of your garden beds and fruit trees? Thank you.
Thanks for the information. I feel better about growing some onions.
You’re welcome!
This video is extremely helpful! Thank you
You’re welcome!
Appreciate your information!!
I started onions seeds last year for the 1st time and yielded a nice harvest. I'll use the tips you stated for a better yield. THANKS!!
Excellent! Every year it gets a little better!
This is my goal this year! 1st year that I am growing from seed!!
Excellent! Best of luck!
Great! Thanks! The explanation about onion sets makes me feel way better. I just thought I was crap at growing onions! This coming season, I'll try seeds instead: Hi from Durham.
Growing onion sets are great for having green onions early :)
Thanks so much millenial gardener. Great video as always! I have success with sets in NE Texas 7b/8a. But I'm encouraged by your video to start with seeds this year.
Where do you get your shallot seeds?
Thanks! It sets work, you can continue to do so. Sets have been iffy for me, and seed grown onions never miss for a lower cost. I buy Davidor shallot seed from Burpee. They do fantastic at my latitude and Zone 8a.
At what size do you transplant the seedlings?
This is the best video on this topic I have seen.
Thank you! I’m glad to hear it was helpful.
Thank you for another amazing video. I'm gonna start my onion seeds tomorrow.
Excellent! Thanks for watching!
Perfect timing! Thank you 🙏
You’re welcome!
Great video. I had zero luck last year outside starts (bulbs). But as you said timing is everything. I am determined to use your tips to ensure I get onions this season. Thanks for sharing your experience.
PS loved Dale snooping in garden looking for a tasty treat 😉
What worked for me was buying plants not sets from local feed store. Came in bundles of 50 and had great success. I do start from seed too but sometimes things happen like I let them dry out,get too busy, or the germination rate is not the best. So worth it to let them do the hard part.
Thanks for this great information. Always informative and thorough!
Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching!
is it safe to eat onions without curing them?
No! Grow onion PLANTS from Dixondale Farms or a dealer that sells Dixondale's plants. Couldn't be easier.
They’re just seed starts you’re buying. It’s great to support small businesses, but you’re just buying 6-8 week old onion transplants. Just start them from seed. You can start 5,000 of them for the cost of a bunch. Onion seeds cost about $1 per 100 seeds. I don’t know why anyone would buy plants when they’re so much cheaper and easier to start seed yourself.
Great information. Last year was a fail for me. I staggered my planting this year as you said so I'm staying hopeful for a better crop this year.
If you stagger, you’ll find out which plantings work best. It is a good way to figure out the ideal time, and then you copy the ideal time every year moving forward.
I planted some onion seed last late summer.I’m experimenting to see if they survive the winter. I’m going to seed backups just in case.
Here in Zone 8, winters aren’t much of a challenge for onions. I think they can handle some Zone 7’s, too. Colder Zone 7’s and cooler will be an issue, but in those zones, bulbing onions shouldn’t be planted that early, anyway.
@@TheMillennialGardener I’ve heard from some people that have had success doing it that way.
Thank you so much for your wealth of information! You are our go to gardening channel!
You’re welcome! I’m so happy to hear the videos are helpful 😃
May I ask what kind of camera/cellphone you use to record with? My cellphone videos look like crap compared to yours... I really need to upgrade. Appreciate the info.
It's a real camera. It's a Sony a6400. All the equipment I use is linked in my Amazon Storefront under the Camera Equipment category, so if you like my camera, lens, microphone, etc., I list them all so you can use the same things.
My bulb onions failed this year. Another channel said you should prune the tops to prevent crimping.
What do you think?
I have never pruned my onions. I disturb them as little as possible.
Now I know what I’m doing wrong.
I transplanted my store bought plants in late march. The variety i purchased states 104 days to harvest. That would only be early june to harvest. Your explination set my heart at ease as i was concerned they wouldnt be ready by then. Its only been 1 1/2 months that theyve been in ground. Thank you so much!
I don't care if you post the winning lottery numbers a week ahead of time, Im not subscribing to any channel that uses that stupid bell noise.
Makes total sense 😂
Such a great video as usual 👏🏽
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
I've already started my onion seeds, my first. I'm in Cary. I've never had success with onion bulbs. Hopefully, this year. I'm going to set mine out at the end of February. Any thoughts? Jim
Thank you so much for this educational video!! I learned so much and will be rewatching and taking notes!
OHHHHH Ohhhh interesting
Vadelia , red, and the little onions with chives. Still have about 4 weeks left, in Louisiana. Thanks
my biggest problem with onions is that 1/3 of them rot in the ground and another 1/3 rot in storage after drying them never could figure out why? could you do something in the future on preventing that
Your presentation is so clear, organized and concise that anyone can feel empowered to try new things and be successful! I love how you explain just enough of the science to tell us why we're doing something but not so much that we get bogged down in TMI. 👍
Thanks!
You’re welcome!
Never had luck with onions thanks for.yhe video. I will try seeds this year !?
Heyyy struggling in Wilmington lmao halppppp
About to move to Maine, god I wish I'd found you long ago!!!
I bought onion seeds last year and 100% duds.
That’s a shame. Perhaps it was old seed, or it may have endured terrible conditions during shipment that ruined them. I like to order my seeds on a Friday in hopes it ships on Monday, because that gives the whole week to come to minimize delays.
thanks
Great knowledge sharing. Very helpful information to know
Glad it was helpful!
@@TheMillennialGardener Do you have experience direct seeding onions in their permanent spot instead of doing it the transplant way? I started onion seeds this year in February and March (two attempts). For some reason they never took off in both the attempts and stayed limp and weak and eventually the young plants died off. I am thinking of directly planting seeds in raised beds here in Michigan in about two weeks from now. Not sure if they grow successfully this way
Does this apply to growing red onions as well?
Yes.
How do I find the Amazon link below?
The Amazon Storefront link is in the video description. If you expand the video description and click the Amazon Storefront link, it's listed under Disease Prevention and Pest Control.
Last year, I ordered a big box of granulated nitrogen fertilizer. It did not come with any instructions and I never got a response asking how to use it. When you use nitrogen, do you mix it with water or sprinkle granules?
Yikes. That is very dangerous, because without knowing the strength and how to apply it, you can cause harm to your soil. Is it water soluble crystalline synthesized fertilizer? Is it a meal like blood meal? Without knowing, it is hard to tell. Blood meal is an organic granulated product you sprinkle. I’m guessing you ordered something like ammonium nitrate, but that can be processed into either granules for spreading or crystals for mixing in water, so I don’t truly know without seeing it. The safest thing you can do is see if it dissolves in water and be extremely conservative with the amounts if you don’t know the NPK. Too much can cause major fertilizer burn.
@@TheMillennialGardener it's like little tiny pearls. I haven't tried to dissolve it.. so far I've only tilled l little of it it in a few weeks before planting my garlic.. trying to be gentle with it. The pearls are more like granules than crystals.
Can I direct see my onion seeds in January?
Yes, but I suggest growing onions from transplant, not direct seeding. Onion seeds only get covered with a light dusting of soil, so the chances of them being washed away or not germinating is high. Onions grow poorly direct sown. They do great as transplants.
Is it too late to plant onions in south Jersey?
From seeds, it's definitely much too late if you want to grow bulbing onions. If you order onion plants, you can probably still plant them. A lot of people order from Dixondale Farms: dixondalefarms.com/product-category/onion-plants/
For green onions, you can plant them year-round in NJ. You can even grow them in winter and harvest the greens, since they're hardy into the teens.