
When is the best time to plant onions?
- In late summer to early fall (about 6-8 weeks before the first frost in your zone), broadcast onion seed in a garden bed.
- Cover with about 1/4″ of fine soil, watering well.
- The onions should begin to germinate within 7-10 days.
What not to plant next to onions?
Worst Companion Plants for Onions
- Beans. You shouldn’t farm onions or any plant inclusive in the allium family close to any beans type. ...
- Peas. Like beans, peas are legumes. ...
- Sage. Most farmers warn against growing sage alongside onions as it causes stunted growth to the latter.
- Asparagus. ...
- Turnips. ...
- Other Alliums. ...
What can you plant with onions?
Fruits and Vegetables to Plant With Onions
- Other Alliums. Firstly, of course, you can consider growing your onions alongside other alliums. ...
- Brassicas. One plant family that can really benefit from being grown alongside onions are the brassicas. ...
- Carrots. ...
- Parsnips. ...
- Beets. ...
How to grow an onion from an onion?
Part 1 Part 1 of 3: Preparing the Sprouted Onions
- Peel off sprouted onion’s papery outer skin. Dig your fingernails into the skin at the top of the onion bulb and rip it off piece by piece.
- Use a knife to cut the onion's layers from the sprouts. The sprouts grow at the center of the onion bulb.
- Separate the onion sprouts. ...
- Place the sprouts in water until roots grow. ...
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What is crop onion?
The onion is a hardy cool-season biennial but usually grown as annual crop. The onion has narrow, hollow leaves and a base which enlarges to form a bulb. The bulb can be white, yellow, or red and require 80 to 150 days to reach harvest.
What is the plant type of onion?
Allium cepaonion, (Allium cepa), herbaceous biennial plant in the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) grown for its edible bulb. The onion is likely native to southwestern Asia but is now grown throughout the world, chiefly in the temperate zones.
Is onion a rabi or kharif crop?
Rabi crops are sown at the beginning of winter around November and harvested around April. Wheat, barley, onions and potatoes are examples of rabi crops.
Is onion a stem crop?
The onion isn't a root or a stem. It's a tunicate bulb with a clump of fleshy leaves on top. An onion is a type of underground stem structure that has been modified. The bulged leaf structure at the base of the onion plant stores its processed food.
Is onion a herb or shrub?
The definition of an herb: any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavoring, food, medicine or perfume. So onions qualify as an herb! Onions are in the allium family along with chives, garlic, shallots, scallion, and leeks.
What family is onion in?
AmaryllidaceaeOnion / FamilyThe Amaryllidaceae are a family of herbaceous, mainly perennial and bulbous flowering plants in the monocot order Asparagales. The family takes its name from the genus Amaryllis and is commonly known as the amaryllis family. Wikipedia
Is onion kharif vegetable?
Onion Growing season and Planting time: Onion in India is cultivated by farmers of almost all states as both Kharif and rabi crop synched with geographical location and weather based.
Which are Zaid crops?
The crops which are sown in the summer season are called zaid crops.They have high water content in them, are juicy to eat, and keep us hydrated in the summer season.Cucumber, pumpkin, tomato, bitter gourd are few examples of zaid crops.
What is kharif onion?
kharif onion is 75 kg nitrogen, 40 kg phosphorus, and 40. kg potassium per hectare. Besides regular dose of. fertilizers, 30 kg sulphur per hectare should also be applied. One third of recommended N and full dose of PO and.
Why is onion a stem?
The onion bulb is a modified stem because it consists of large numbers of fleshy scales leaves. At the base of the onion the root appears as a thread like structure. Having a cluster of fleshy leaves, the onions look like a tunicate bulb. These are cultivated and used all round the world.
Is garlic a root or stem?
Rhizomes, tubers, maize, and bulbs are examples of underground stems. Only some sections of underground stems are edible; the entire stem is not edible. Onion and garlic are two other examples.
Which vegetables are stem?
Stem vegetables include asparagus and kohlrabi. Among the edible tubers, or underground stems, are potatoes. The leaf and leafstalk vegetables include brussels sprouts, cabbage, celery, lettuce, rhubarb, and spinach.
Taxonomy and etymology
The onion plant ( Allium cepa ), also known as the bulb onion or common onion, : 9-10 is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Allium. It was first officially described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1753 work Species Plantarum. A number of synonyms have appeared in its taxonomic history:
Description
The onion plant has been grown and selectively bred in cultivation for at least 7,000 years. It is a biennial plant, but is usually grown as an annual. Modern varieties typically grow to a height of 15 to 45 cm (6 to 18 in). The leaves are yellowish- to bluish green and grow alternately in a flattened, fan-shaped swathe.
History
Because the wild onion is extinct and ancient records of using onions span western and eastern Asia, the geographic origin of the onion is uncertain, although domestication likely took place in Southwest or Central Asia. : 20-21 Onions have been variously described as having originated in Iran, western Pakistan and Central Asia. : 1
Cultivation
Onions are best cultivated in fertile soils that are well-drained. Sandy loams are good as they are low in sulphur, while clayey soils usually have a high sulphur content and produce pungent bulbs. Onions require a high level of nutrients in the soil.
Production
In 2019, world production of onions and shallots (as green produce) was 4.5 million tonnes, led by China with 22% of the world total, and Japan, Mali, and South Korea as secondary producers.
Storage
Cooking onions and sweet onions are better stored at room temperature, optimally in a single layer, in large mesh bags in a dry, cool, dark, well-ventilated location. In this environment, cooking onions have a shelf life of three to four weeks and sweet onions one to two weeks. Cooking onions will absorb odours from apples and pears.
Varieties
Most of the diversity within A. cepa occurs within this group, the most economically important Allium crop. Plants within this group form large single bulbs, and are grown from seed or seed-grown sets. The majority of cultivated varieties grown for dry bulbs, salad onions, and pickling onions belong to this group.
Introduction
The onion is a hardy cool-season biennial but usually grown as an annual crop. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Farmers will generally grow onions from seeds and transplant the seedlings. Onion sets are mainly used for seed production.
Care
During cultivation, place mulch coverings around and between the plants to discourage weeds and to hold moisture in. Keep the soil moist so that shallow roots can take up water. Apply nitrogen fertilizers every few weeks to increase bulb size, and stop fertilization when onions start to push the soil away, and the bulbing process has begun.
Soil
The best soil for successful onion cultivation is deep, friable loam and alluvial soils with good drainage, moisture-holding capacity and sufficient organic matter. The optimum pH range, regardless of soil type, is 6.0 - 7.5, but onions can also be grown in mild alkaline soils. They require abundant sun and drainage.
Climate
Onion is a temperate crop but can be grown under a wide range of climatic conditions such as temperate, tropical and subtropical climate. The best performance can be obtained in a mild weather without the extremes of cold and heat and excessive rainfall, however, onion can withstand freezing temperatures.
1. Shallots
The shallot is a small, elongated variety of onion that looks more like garlic than an onion. Instead of rings, it has multiple cloves arranged one inside the other so when you cut it, there are no rings like in a regular onion.
2. Pearl Onion
The pearl or baby onion is a small, marble-sized (with a diameter of 0.5-1.5 in) variety of onions noted for its mild, sweet flavor. It has been traditionally used in American dishes like succotash and sweetly flavored Indian pickles and relishes.
3. Yellow Onion
The yellow onion is a strong-flavored variety that has a papery skin with a pale golden or yellowish-brown color. It probably originated in Asia, but now has spread throughout the world via colonizers and traders. Currently, you can get yellow onions in small, medium, and large sizes.
4. White Onion
It is somewhat sweeter and milder in flavor than a yellow onion, and its size ranges between 9 and 11 inches. The white onion, characterized by a white flesh and white papery skin, has a short shelf life and may last for about two days (up to 30 days, if refrigerated). It is traditionally used in Mexican foods.
5. Maui Onion
It is a medium-sized onion that may have a globular, elongated, or bulky shape. Its crisp, juicy, white flesh is covered with a thin, papery, pale yellow or brown skin.
6. Cipollini Onion
The cipollini is a small, flat-shaped spherical onion that is thought to have originated in Italy. Its pale yellowish flesh is covered with dry, papery skin. This variety, favored for its slightly sweet flavor, has been traditionally used whole in sweet and sour sauce in Italian cuisine.
7. Bermuda Onion
The Bermuda onion is a small onion type with a flattened shape. It can have either yellow or white, thin, papery skin and is valued for its sweet, mild flavor. It was initially brought from the Canary Islands during the late 19th century. Some of the varieties of Bermuda onion include Yellow, White, and Crystal Wax.
Cabernet F1 Organic from Enza Zaden and Harris Organic Seeds
Type: Red, intermediate day Days to maturity: 102 Other: An early, red onion that produces uniform globe-shaped bulbs with single centers. An excellent internal ring color makes this vigorous grower great for both the fresh bulb and medium-term storage markets. Skin of the 3- to 4-inch bulbs dries to a beautiful rosy red.
Caldwell from Crookham Company
Type: Long day Disease package: Tolerance against bolting; High resistance to Foc and Pt Days to maturity: 115 Other: Dave Whitwood bred the high-yielding ‘Caldwell’ in Caldwell, ID, and it has shown wide adaptability. It has performed very well in the Western U.S. and other Spanish onion markets.
Candy from Seminis and Rupp Seeds
Other: A mild-flavored onion that will perform well when plants are transplanted for extra-large to jumbo sizes.
Catskill from Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Inc
Other: Catskill has a strong root system that allows it to produce large size even on marginal, muck soils. It has a medium-to-dark skin with good skin retention, neck size, and quality out of storage. In addition, it offers high yield potential and adaptability and provides growers the flexibility to plant in all soil types.
Ducati from Rispens Seeds, Inc
Other: Early maturing with high quality and uniform, deep-red color. Long-term storage potential.
GVS 36291 F1 from Golden Valley Seed
Other: Golden-brown skin, very firm and solid, globe to flat globe in shape, medium- to large-sized bulb.
Milestone from Takii & Co., Ltd. and Siegers Seed Company
Other: Milestone is a hybrid, long-day variety. It is a large, hard, yellow, Spanish-type onion with a high percentage of single centers. Early maturing, it features a uniform shape with nice brown skin color and thin necks. Ideal for fresh, processing, and export markets.

Overview
Varieties
Most of the diversity within A. cepa occurs within this group, the most economically important Allium crop. Plants within this group form large single bulbs, and are grown from seed or seed-grown sets. The majority of cultivated varieties grown for dry bulbs, salad onions, and pickling onions belong to this group. The range of diversity found among these cultivars includes variation in photoperiod (length of day that triggers bulbing), storage life, flavour, and skin colour. Commo…
Taxonomy and etymology
The onion plant (Allium cepa), also known as the bulb onion or common onion, is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Allium. It was first officially described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1753 work Species Plantarum. A number of synonyms have appeared in its taxonomic history:
• Allium cepa var. aggregatum – G. Don
• Allium cepa var. bulbiferum – Regel
Description
The onion has been grown and selectively bred in cultivation for at least 7,000 years. It is a biennial plant but is usually grown as an annual. Modern varieties typically grow to a height of 15 to 45 cm (6 to 18 in). The leaves are yellowish- to bluish green and grow alternately in a flattened, fan-shaped swathe. They are fleshy, hollow, and cylindrical, with one flattened side. They are at their broadest about a quarter of the way up, beyond which they taper to blunt tips. The base of each l…
History
The history of ancestral onion species is not well documented. Ancient records of onion use spans western and eastern Asia, so the geographic origin of the onion is uncertain. Yet, domestication likely took place in Southwest or Central Asia. Onions have been variously described as having originated in Iran, western Pakistan and Central Asia.
Traces of onions recovered from Bronze Age settlements in China suggest that onions were use…
Uses
Common onions are normally available in three colour varieties:
• Yellow or brown onions (called "red" in some European countries) are sweeter and are the onions of choice for everyday use in European cuisine, with many cultivars bred specifically to demonstrate this sweetness (Vidalia, Walla Walla, Cévennes, "Bermuda," etc.). Yellow onions turn a rich, dark brown when caramelised and give French onion soup its sweet flavour.
Composition
Most onion cultivars are about 89% water, 9% carbohydrates (including 4% sugar and 2% dietary fibre), 1% protein, and negligible fat (table). Onions contain low amounts of essential nutrients and have an energy value of 166 kJ (40 kilocalories) in a 100 g (3.5 oz) amount. Onions contribute savoury flavour to dishes without contributing significant caloric content.
Considerable differences exist between onion varieties in phytochemical content, particularly for
Cultivation
Onions are best cultivated in fertile soils that are well-drained. Sandy loams are good as they are low in sulphur, while clayey soils usually have a high sulphur content and produce pungent bulbs. Onions require a high level of nutrients in the soil. Phosphorus is often present in sufficient quantities, but may be applied before planting because of its low level of availability in cold soils. Nitrogen and potash can be applied at regular intervals during the growing season, the last applic…