How to Grow Sprouting Onions

Peel off the thin, paper-like outer skin of the sprouting onion. Use your fingernail to press on the top of the onion and gently peel off the outer layers. Discard the skin once you've peeled it off completely.

Use a knife to cut the layers of onion away from the sprout. The sprout grows from the top of the onion bulb. Cut the onion layers vertically, making sure not to damage the sprout. Repeat on the other side and gently separate the layers of the onion.

• If you don’t have a knife, you can peel the layers by hand.
• You can eat these layers if they are still firm and crisp, as long as you wash them thoroughly before preparing. Discard any layers that are soft or mushy.

Separate the onion sprouts. The sprouts can be found in the center of the onion bulb. Some will be emerging, while others may still be inside. Carefully separate the sprouts by hand to give them room to grow. With proper care, each sprout will develop into a new onion bulb.

Soak the onion sprouts in water until roots form. You can place the onion sprouts in one or more glasses of water. After a few days, white roots will begin to appear at the base of each sprout.

• If the roots are already white, you can plant the sprout directly into the soil.
• If the roots are brown and dry, they are dead, and you will need to wait for new white roots to grow.

Plant the onion sprouts 2.5 cm deep in high-quality organic soil. Dig separate holes for each sprout and cover them so only the green leaves remain visible. Each hole should be at least 7.5 cm apart, or plant each sprout in a separate pot to give them ample space to grow. You can also add a thin layer of mulch over the soil to help the onions grow.

• Whether planting indoors or outdoors, make sure the onions receive plenty of sunlight.
• If you live in a cold climate, plant the sprouts in pots and gradually move them outdoors. The onions need time to adjust after being indoors for a while.
• In colder climates during winter, keep the plants indoors most of the time to ensure they survive.
• The onion bulbs will begin to form after 60-80 days.

Water the plants every few days. While onions are hardy, they still require plenty of water to grow. Use a watering can or spray nozzle to moisten the soil around the onion’s base. Note: Do not water directly on the onions themselves. Make sure the soil drains well.

• If you're using mulch, onions need just 2.5 cm of water per week.

Check on the plants and remove any weeds daily (if present). As the onions grow, weeds will inevitably sprout around them. Put on gardening gloves and pull the weeds out by the roots to prevent regrowth.

Spray fungicide twice a week. Fungicide will help prevent harmful fungi from affecting your crops and keep the onions healthy. A light spray on each onion plant is sufficient.

• If you prefer organic gardening, you can use alternatives like hydrogen peroxide or copper sulfate instead of chemical pesticides.

Look for signs that indicate the onions are ready to harvest. Onions will mature after 60-80 days. If left too long, they will begin to rot. Watch for these signs to know when it’s time to harvest:

• The onion bulbs are fully exposed above the soil.
• The green shoots wilt and turn brown.
• The flower stalk appears.

Pull the onions from the ground to harvest them. Once the shoots have fully developed into onion bulbs and show the signs mentioned earlier, you can begin harvesting. Firmly grasp the leaf stems and pull the onions up by the roots.

Place the onions on dry soil to cure them outdoors for a few days. Gently arrange the onions in a single layer to avoid bruising. This process will help the bulbs dry and reduce the amount of loose soil.

Trim the roots and leave about 2.5 cm of the leaf stem. You can use a knife or garden scissors for this. This will stop the onion’s growth and prevent decay during storage.

Leave the onions on a dry, cool surface until a dry outer skin forms. At this stage, the leaf stems will shrink, and the outer skin of the bulb will become papery. You can dry them in a shed or garage, as long as the location is cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight. This process usually takes about a month.

• You may skip the initial curing step and use the onions immediately, but storing onions without curing them first can cause them to mold and rot easily.
• If you can't find a sufficiently dry place to cure the onions, consider using a dehumidifier to reduce their moisture content.

Store the onions in a dry basket or mesh bag. This will ensure the onions stay in optimal conditions and prevent them from affecting other produce. Now, your onions are ready for use. It’s best to consume them within a month. If the onions sprout, you can plant them again.

• Spring is generally the best time to plant onions, but if you live in a mild climate, both fall and early winter can also be suitable seasons.

• If you suspect that the onions have started to rot or if the bulbs feel soft and mushy, do not eat them and discard them instead.
• Make sure to water the soil around the base of the onion, not directly onto the leaves. Watering the shoots may cause the plants to become damp, attracting fungal spores or bacteria.