MY TOP 4 TIPS | Growing Big Onions

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  • čas přidán 5. 06. 2020
  • My top 4 tips on growing big onions, how to maintain onions, how to feed onions, whether or not to top onions, and what is onion spooning are all covered in this video. I hope you all grow big onions this year. One important note, do not top onions later in the growing season after the greens are done producing or your could chance prematurely ending your growing season for your bulb & also do not top them right before a rain storm.
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Komentáře • 1,3K

  • @smhollanshead
    @smhollanshead Před 2 lety +180

    The four tips are: start with onion seeds not onion bulbs, topping your onions, removing the soil around your onions to allow the onion bulbs to expand, and keep your onions well fertilized and well watered. My additional tip is start with good onion seed. The better the seed the better the plant. Genetics matters!

    • @misscandicern
      @misscandicern Před 2 lety +1

      Thank you

    • @AmyRector
      @AmyRector Před 2 lety +2

      Thank you 😊 ugh I started with bulbs 😔😔

    • @deborah820
      @deborah820 Před 2 lety

      What’s the difference between onion bulbs snd onion starts?

    • @smhollanshead
      @smhollanshead Před 2 lety +9

      @@deborah820 an onion bulb looks like a small onion. An onion start is a small green plant that looks like a scallion. Your onion seeds will grow into onion starts. Most people start there onion starts indoors, and then transplant their onion starts in the early spring.

    • @deborah820
      @deborah820 Před 2 lety +1

      @@smhollanshead Oh thank you so much! I appreciate you taking the time to respond!

  • @rebeccacron8614
    @rebeccacron8614 Před 3 lety +75

    A one or two inch wide paint brush works WONDERS for spooning! Just sweep the soil away. No spoons, no digging with your fingers, gentle on the plants, and FAST!

  • @maryhathaway4669
    @maryhathaway4669 Před 3 měsíci +21

    I grew up in a farming community, and very old farmer wives taught me to garden, decades ago. I was taught seeds and "sets". I was taught to plant sets practically on top of the ground. If they come loose that first week or two, tuck the couple that may be loose back in.. once they take hold leave them be. Huge onions. If you plant properly, no spooning...which I have never even heard of. I have also never heard of cutting the tops off. Strange idea, honestly, those greens feed the bulb, and the open tubes would let in rain/irrigation and rot it all out. Open them up to disease, and pests.
    I read hundreds of VERY old organic gardening magazines from the 70's on, read books, grew up in farming area, been in a LOT of old time gardens.... I just have never seen or heard of any of that. Onions are easy when plantedshallow in well maintained soil. None of that extra work needed.
    Sorry, I have to disagree with this video!

    • @gregorygrskovich
      @gregorygrskovich Před 28 dny

      I think a lot of people just plant their onions too deep because they think of them like any other plant and think they need to be anchored. Your insight is appreciated. I'm just trying to figure it out so what you are saying and what the video shows help me understand that basically the bulb just needs to sit higher up. Thanks for sharing your experience.

    • @WakandaBabe
      @WakandaBabe Před 27 dny +1

      Thanks. I just planted my first onion sets. I tend to go with 'old school' advice. Sometimes, people make things harder than necessary. While her method may work for some, I'm trying the 'old school' way.

    • @kathyhutchison1947
      @kathyhutchison1947 Před 13 dny

      I planted my onion sets like she describes, and had HUGE onions. I haven't planted in several years and want to again this year, so I'm rewashing to do it again

  • @salemdesigns65
    @salemdesigns65 Před 4 lety +93

    My grandfather did use a spoon to remove soil around the onion. He planted them in a high rows so than when it was time, he just moved the soil back down the hill.
    I miss him so, he taught me everything about growing food, repairing things and baseball! 🙂

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 4 lety +11

      The old timers knew a thing or two. I feel sometimes like a lot of what they knew, never got passed down, and things kinda skipped a generation.

    • @salemdesigns65
      @salemdesigns65 Před 4 lety +17

      @@1870s
      Yesterday, my garden had an open house. And one of the comments that came up over and over; when did you learn how to do all this? The answer was; I paid attention and helped when told to do so. That meant that if I were playing with my Barbie dolls and my grandfather said for me to pick these beans, I picked those beans. Or if he were painting some trim outside of the house, Im there to hold the bucket because he told me to do it. Haha. I learned, asked questions, saw mistakes and I could see myself doing tasks on my own down the road...and I did.
      My 23 year old son, however doesnt like being dirty, making choices and cannot be told. Hopefully and soon, he and many other young people will see the importance of physically creating their own personal environments instead of waiting for someone to do it for them.

  • @joannbutts8064
    @joannbutts8064 Před 3 lety +69

    I was told by a man one time that sold onion plants, to plant them in a ridge bury them a couple inches in and when they get established and growing good, just rake the dirt off to level and that's all you have to do. it may help you too. I thank you for the toppings info. Ill try that.

    • @noniemarley7012
      @noniemarley7012 Před 3 lety +4

      Called ringing, but two inches is pretty deep, one inch will do.

  • @dangreytak2319
    @dangreytak2319 Před 3 lety +44

    I plant onions from bulbs every year and have always had huge success. I live in a short-season area and generally plant around St. Patrick's day and start harvesting nice-sized onions mid to late summer.

  • @alwaysbekindlove
    @alwaysbekindlove Před 3 lety +26

    Please don’t apologize for the wind you can’t control it and you’re doing a great job. Have a beautiful day

  • @robyndudley9684
    @robyndudley9684 Před 2 lety +82

    Onion is a no maintenance plant. No need to spoon onion as long as you don’t plant them too deep. Make sure at least half the white part is above soil when transplanting. Trimming the tops reduces the plant’s ability to photosynthesize. Plus, as they’re bulbing, the onion is pulling resources from the green top. Plant onion, feed nitrogen before the bulbing phase then leave them alone.

    • @5GreenAcres
      @5GreenAcres Před 8 měsíci +6

      I don't understand why Rachael gave a heart to this comment because you are basically telling her the exact opposite of what she is claiming about cutting the tops! People DO NOT CUT your tops of onions. The only time you cut them is if you start your own onions and when they are about 6" high under grow lights or in greenhouse. Then when it is time plant them in the ground and water often.

    • @robyndudley9684
      @robyndudley9684 Před 8 měsíci +6

      @@5GreenAcresI dunno. I’ve known so many people who’ve ruined their onion by trimming to late. I get taking a snip here or there but removing the greens that the onion needs to fuel the bulb is counter intuitive. I think most of us interfere unnecessarily with our garden plants. But that’s just me.

    • @5GreenAcres
      @5GreenAcres Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@robyndudley9684 Oh, don't get me wrong. You do need to trim the greens but only when you grow from seedlings. I failed to do that this year and the little patch of my own seedlings I didn't cut the tops after they got 4-6 " and now I have nothing but very long greens and no bulb. They look like huge bunching onions. My onions that I buy the onion starts were huge onions. I did just a bit of bending over a couple of the greens on each one when they got large. I agree with you....leave the onlons alone nature does a beautiful job. Same with tomatoes. We have all been told to take the suckers off. Not me....Out of 8 tomato plants I got over 150 lbs of tomatoes! They are still going strong and it is Oct. In Wis.

    • @hollylovepeace
      @hollylovepeace Před 3 měsíci +3

      My grandpa yeilded sooo many onions each year and he does nothing. He even successfully yeilds new onions from old onion sprouts. He makes it seem effortless

    • @thechrononaut1
      @thechrononaut1 Před 3 měsíci +2

      Agreed, but topping in the seedling stage is beneficial for promoting good neck strength.

  • @christiansingle1
    @christiansingle1 Před 4 lety +101

    I just wanted you to know I am really appreciating your garden attire the past couple of days. 😀

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 4 lety +9

      Awe thanks, just summer attire is cuter than fall and winter

    • @hannahhalleck9558
      @hannahhalleck9558 Před 4 lety +16

      I was thinking the same! I love that jumper!

    • @jenniferallison3323
      @jenniferallison3323 Před 3 lety +3

      I was going to comment the same!

    • @tabethapacion7137
      @tabethapacion7137 Před 3 lety +2

      @@1870s I am so jealous I have never grown onions in that magnitude. And thank you for the tips I will try that this year 2021

    • @childofgod94
      @childofgod94 Před 3 lety +5

      I know right! That is so adorable and looks super comfortable and fun to wear. I want one of those. It's part of the reason I clicked on this video.

  • @keithsweet3760
    @keithsweet3760 Před 3 lety +97

    Hi everyone there is a problem with cutting the tops off in the uk (south wales) the rain we have gets in the open tops and rots the onion from the inside!!My farther used to just bend them over and he always had great onions!!I tried what this nice lady said and lost most of mine i won't be doing that next year LOL (ps last year i had big one's)

    • @emilboncina9090
      @emilboncina9090 Před 3 lety +5

      We do it the same thing in Gheorgheni (Transilvania)

    • @CupcakeBaker1982
      @CupcakeBaker1982 Před 3 lety +4

      I’m so glad I saw your comment. I’m in Somerset and would have the same problem. I’ll be cautious this year x

    • @FloridaGirl-
      @FloridaGirl- Před 3 lety +2

      I’ve always bent them too

    • @akovach1292
      @akovach1292 Před 3 lety +2

      I never did either, and still had a great crop. But, I’m going to try bending. (I likely don’t have time to harvest the onion tops, much as I might in future years when time is not the issue.)

    • @ann-mariehoran7415
      @ann-mariehoran7415 Před 2 lety

      I had that happen here in NY.

  • @rocio2917
    @rocio2917 Před 2 lety +84

    2:40 Starts
    3:51 Trim leaves - topping
    7:55 spooning
    11:45 feed and water

  • @margaretdavis5695
    @margaretdavis5695 Před 2 lety +45

    Thank-you for the info. I've been a gardener for over 50 years, but never heard of the spoon method or the explanation of sets vs. starts. There's always something new to learn!

    • @searcymasonry
      @searcymasonry Před 2 lety

      yea . i thought ' spooning was a intimacy position with your boner growing in the middle of her lumbar . never too old to learn new things i s'pose .

    • @johnnieblackburn3182
      @johnnieblackburn3182 Před 2 lety +1

      I saw this method on Hollis and Nancy's Homestead. He gets nice large onions.

    • @nicolasbertin8552
      @nicolasbertin8552 Před rokem +4

      I grow big onions from sets without spooning, topping off or fertilizing... So I think you shouldn't bother if you already have perfectly fine onions. If it ain't broke don't fix it :D

  • @ArmindaHeart
    @ArmindaHeart Před 3 lety +38

    I grow my onions from seed, plant them when they’re about 4-6” tall, and then forget about them until I see bulbs, around July, harvesting them when as I need, and then picking the rest when they’ve fallen over. I plant them in clusters of 3-4 and they get large, no problem. I even allow the heavy mulch that’s in my garden to burry the base. Most times I don’t even notice the bulbs lol! Large onions, no work 👍

  • @noniemarley7012
    @noniemarley7012 Před 3 lety +16

    You are correct, the people disagreeing must know something others don’t. Kinda like calling green onions scallions, two different things. We grow softball and larger onion, 15,000 each year, sets will never get this big, no matter the nutrients.

  • @OurBlackCatCottage
    @OurBlackCatCottage Před 3 lety +10

    I have always struggled to grow onions and your tips made a huge difference. Thanks for all of your videos!

  • @bluegreenoranges
    @bluegreenoranges Před 3 lety +3

    This is another video I wish I had seen. We planted sets for the first time onion grower this spring. But we will enjoy both the green and bulb we get and learn for future.🙂
    Thank you for showing your garden while you talk and then showing clearly what you are doing! Really enjoying your channel!

  • @jillclark9215
    @jillclark9215 Před 3 lety +3

    Thank you for your videos. Your videos are so helpful and although I've been gardening for 50 plus years I have learn a lot from you. Your videos are so clear and enjoyable and I love sharing them.

  • @curiouscat3384
    @curiouscat3384 Před 3 lety +42

    Just came back to tell you how invaluable this video is! I've never been able to grow onions for all the reasons you stated so I logged onto Dixondale Farms and was amazed by his tutorials. I bought their sets and a bag of his special fertilizer this March, planted them 1st of April (North Carolina) and they are looking good! 7 leaves, tall and strong.....I'm so excited!!
    Thanks for your good work and it's nice to view without annoying background music, kid distractions and bouncy/spinning camera action :)

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 3 lety +9

      We try to keep things simple, especially in videos where we're trying to share knowledge with others.

  • @Aslanlives08
    @Aslanlives08 Před 3 lety +39

    After reading a Johnny's Seeds article on overwintering onions, I started some Bridger onion seed last summer and planted the seedlings in a 4 x 8 low tunnel raised bed in my zone 6 yard in late September. The low tunnel covering worked well through the winter months and the plants survived fine even though being nibbled by some vole activity. The real excitement though, is using your spooning advice and watching the onion bulbs develop to be mature onions by the end of May! Everyone else is "setting up their gardens" and I am looking at harvest ready onions! Pictures are available if interested.

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 3 lety +4

      Oh that sounds amazing. Could you please send link to article

  • @amandamullis2969
    @amandamullis2969 Před rokem +3

    Onions were a new addition this year for me. I started with sets that were a gift. Had alot of green tops, but tiny onions. Looking forward to using all your great advice this coming year. Great video! Thank you!

  • @truthseeker3977
    @truthseeker3977 Před 3 lety +83

    Seeds always yield great onions. Select the right variety for your zone. Plant your seed weed free. Watch the onion seed germinate and sprout. Grow them for 6 to 10 weeks. Pull the onions, and set them out in your garden according to your regional zone. Give them plenty of water, nitrogen, and PH optimization. Watch your sets grow into nice onion slicers. Harvest and enjoy.

    • @sharonkeef0522
      @sharonkeef0522 Před 3 lety +2

      Can u do video Bc I’ve tried this

    • @ruthperry1914
      @ruthperry1914 Před 2 lety +1

      Ok

    • @gardenextra7415
      @gardenextra7415 Před 2 lety +1

      Good video, this is the first year I started onions in the winter from seed. Should be my first good onions, big. Thanks 😊

    • @joeboudreault2226
      @joeboudreault2226 Před 2 lety

      All very good. I'll have to consider starting onions from seeds or starts. Currently, I've painted quite a lot of sets, but with a bit of care they will be okay though not the greatest in size, and don't require spooning. Thanks. Seeds next year (for my own starts) maybe.

    • @nycthick
      @nycthick Před 11 měsíci

      What is nitrogen and ph optimization?

  • @beebob1279
    @beebob1279 Před 2 lety +9

    I never saw an onion topped like that. My uncle grew onions bigger than any onion I ever saw. I was much younger and have no idea of the variety. But he never topped them like you did.
    Nice presentation. Everyone has their own way of doing things.

    • @randybird9979
      @randybird9979 Před 2 lety +3

      my onions were about 3 mouths old, I topped them, and they started turning brown at the cut and 200 onions started to rot. it may work but it cost me my onion crop.Like you when I was younger my parents grew very large onions and they never topped them, I will never do it again my self, happy gardening

  • @TheMinnickHouse
    @TheMinnickHouse Před 3 lety +1

    I got 1 out of the 4 tips right. I can't wait to use all 4 of your tips this year! My onions willbe epic. Thank you.

  • @bobbiejofouts1708
    @bobbiejofouts1708 Před 3 lety

    As a new gardener, I simply want to thank you for all this wonderful, what I believe is very useful, information. Thanks again.

  • @adryawebb2556
    @adryawebb2556 Před 4 lety +9

    The trick for me with long day sets is not to bury the whole thing underground. Pick out the bags of them with most of the bulbs being less than 3/4" inch diameter. Stick just the bottom of the sets into the dirt just enough so they root, leaving at least the upper half of the sets above the soil. Water a bit and wait for them to get several inches tall and then apply your first application of nitrogen fertilizer like blood meal and repeat that every month... Water well.
    I've got Stuttgarter, Ebenezer, and a red variety (I can't recall the name at the moment) that have grown lots of big leaves and are beginning to bulb... No cutting of the tops, no spooning.
    Onion starts are sold with the tops cut off only because it makes it easier to pack bundles in the boxes for shipping.

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 4 lety +1

      Thanks for sharing your tips on sets.

  • @theheritagehousesc
    @theheritagehousesc Před 4 lety +6

    Thank you for the tips Rachel! I tried onions a couple years ago and I’m not surprised now why they did poorly. I’ll try your tips next time. Have a great harvest.

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 4 lety

      Thank you and hope the projects are going well over there

  • @michealakintunde7727
    @michealakintunde7727 Před rokem +1

    Thanks. Today, I planted my ever first onions in my my garden.
    I learned a lot from your video.
    Watching you from Jos-Nigeria.

  • @ivanaiyabei5502
    @ivanaiyabei5502 Před rokem

    We grow a lot of onions in Eastern Uganda and I would like to thank you lady for sharing your farming skills. Your articulate presentation is commendable.

  • @FermentedHomestead
    @FermentedHomestead Před 4 lety +3

    Just growing onions on a larger scale for the first time without much luck in the past. Thank you for sharing your advice 💜

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 4 lety

      Best of luck!

  • @alimajoy1
    @alimajoy1 Před 2 lety +5

    I have always had big onions using sets. It's the only way I've ever planted onions. I'm also going to try your way and see what happens!!

  • @blacksinglemomhomesteadont6454

    Thanks for the tips. I got my first onions last year from onion scraps I planted late spring or early summer. They were a golf ball size bunch but tasted nice. I was so proud. This year I planted whole onions that had sprouted in my kitchen in early April and today is May 1st so I'm looking forward to my harvest this year.

  • @ritabeitz9598
    @ritabeitz9598 Před 3 lety +1

    I just found you and I am so happy as I took your advice with the onions I have. Thanks for sharing the tips! I had no idea and now I know, thanks a bunch!

  • @naturesteward2205
    @naturesteward2205 Před 2 lety +12

    I have grown from sets for years and have had great success with getting large bulbs, do some try to bolt, yes, but not a huge amount.
    I changed to planting from seeds the past three years as I wanted a variety that I couldn't get easily. As they are growing from seed in the trays I will cut them back if they start to flop over, but once they are in the ground I do not cut them again. I get huge onions. No spooning, lots of watering and compost tea feeding. Much less work!

    • @georgesidhu460
      @georgesidhu460 Před 2 lety +2

      I grow the red onions from the sets the only thing I do is when I see in middle part of the onions have seed shoot come out I cut it immediately and every year I get tons of large size onions and the shelve life is from mid July to end of May the next year. I use mushroom manure and novacal( calcium)

  • @dianehall5345
    @dianehall5345 Před 3 lety +6

    Rachel- You gave an excellent explanation for us beginner onion growers! In the past I lacked the confidence to tackle serious onion growing, other than chives. Now I will give it a go. Thanks so much! ~Diane

  • @erinlindsey3
    @erinlindsey3 Před 2 lety +1

    Thank you so much, this was my first year doing a garden and I was so excited to grow onions..then I pick them and their sooo tiny!!! I can't wait to use these methods next year

  • @Valerie-bb5hi
    @Valerie-bb5hi Před 2 lety

    This video has been more informative than any other video or articles I have read I've been gardening for 50 years and did not know this is why I didn't get my onions

  • @dldenton3982
    @dldenton3982 Před 3 lety +9

    She is right for her situation, it may not apply to your growing conditions. I have the same problem with sets as she does.
    Starts grow much bigger onions for us. But this is not true for everyone.

  • @shelleyspence9818
    @shelleyspence9818 Před 4 lety +8

    Thank you for the onion tips. I just bought a dehydrator so I am looking for ideas on what to dehydrate. I am definitely going to try onion powder. Also I am a new subscriber to your channel and I enjoyed this video so much that I can’t wait to go back and watch all your other videos. Thank you for sharing your gardening knowledge with us

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 4 lety +2

      Glad it was helpful! Should have the onion powder video our in the few days. Got a little bit of a backlog going on right now with videos. Rain the next few days should help us get caught up.

    • @UltravioletHeather
      @UltravioletHeather Před 3 lety

      I use my dehydrator all the time. I love kale or Brussel sprout chips and when I juice using my masticating juicer I use the pulp to make crackers in my dehydrator too. It is one of those items that I just love to use. And of course I do dehydrate lots of greens and vegetables too.

  • @Jimmy-372
    @Jimmy-372 Před 4 lety +2

    Very well informed video. I too, have been challenged with growing onions. Been gardening for decades and have given up on onions until this year. And once again, CHALLENGED! I have been growing from sets and have already made up my mind, that I will be using starts next season, even prior to seeing this video. You have confirmed my thought process. All veggies have been challenging this year in central PA. Thank you for sharing with the community. God knows, we all need helpful tips and folks as yourself. God bless

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 4 lety

      Awesome! Glad you found this helpful. Do please come back and let us know, how things work out for you in the future. It really helps us to get feedback from people. 🍃

  • @sarahansen2396
    @sarahansen2396 Před 4 lety

    I really appreciate when you state/show how you utilize your garden harvest. Thank you.

  • @joannabaldwin1787
    @joannabaldwin1787 Před 3 lety +11

    That’s so neat how you’ve planted them in bunches to save room instead of a long line. Can you show us what the starts look like when you buy them? Is that more expensive or easier than starting by seed?

  • @toneyjohnson8910
    @toneyjohnson8910 Před 4 lety +11

    Thanks I have never heard about topping my onions I most of mine this year were just larger that a golf ball when the tops fell over. I will give it a try with the ones I plant this fall.

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 4 lety +4

      All the best and happy gardening

  • @monana8706
    @monana8706 Před 3 lety +1

    Getting ready to plant and really appreciate these growing tips!

  • @sjmullen9011
    @sjmullen9011 Před 2 lety

    Glad I watched this. New to growing onions. I won’t bother with the onion sets I just bought. Slips it is. Thank you for sharing how to top and spoon. Beautiful garden! 🌱

  • @jasminthiaa
    @jasminthiaa Před 2 lety +5

    I am trying to grow my own onions from seed, started them last oct-november and the sets are finally ready to be planted! Thank you for your helpful tips! I've never been successful at growing those "second year" onions. Keeping my fingers crossed! Happy gardening!

  • @alph8654
    @alph8654 Před 4 lety +31

    I start my onions from seeds in the my greenhouse and leave them until ready to harvest. I use pelleted seeds so they are easy to space. I do 1000 every year. I do not cut the tops out of my onions. I do not spoon the onions. I put about 1 inch of mushroom compost on my no dig bed in the fall. I sow the seeds in late January or early February. I always get nice big onions. Nice big onions with not much labor. I do make sure they get plenty of water !!!

    • @verngib9041
      @verngib9041 Před 4 lety +2

      My kind of process!!!

    • @alph8654
      @alph8654 Před 4 lety +7

      @@verngib9041 It works for me. If you want to see more on No- Dig gardening try googling Charles Dowding no- dig gardening. He has been doing it for over 35 years and has a beautiful garden. Makes a living off of it. Time and work saver plus wonderful results.

    • @NCharlesworth86
      @NCharlesworth86 Před 4 lety +1

      Haha so the complete opposite of this video ;)

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 4 lety

      Sounds great!

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 4 lety +16

      There is never one way to do gardening, I too love Charles but do not have his set up or his exact growing conditions. So I had to come up with a way that worked for me.

  • @stevenwagner8174
    @stevenwagner8174 Před 2 lety

    Thank you for this video. I’m growing onions for the first time. I started with Texas Super Sweet slips. After watching your video I decided I would go out and spoon my onions. My first thought, when I went out the garden was, maybe I should not have planted so many, (I have about 25 onions growing in the garden). But once I got started I found it very meditative and before I knew it I was done, and little onion “bulbs” were sitting on top of the soil.
    Your video is going to lead me to a productive onion crop.

  • @MommaJoy
    @MommaJoy Před 2 lety +1

    Coming back to refresh my memory from last year!

  • @rumi885
    @rumi885 Před rokem +5

    Thank you so much for this informative video! Now I understand why I had ping pong sized onions and what I need to do next year! ❤️👍

  • @debbieb.8708
    @debbieb.8708 Před 4 lety +15

    I'm in WA. Maybe your way is how onions are grown in the north-central area? We buy the sets (bulbs) every spring and get huge onions that fall. We have never topped them nor done the spooning thing. We actually pile more dirt on top of ours as they grow. We only plant white onions. I've also recently heard that you apparently can't store white onions. I have stored mine every winter in my root cellar. I've never had a problem with storing them. Very interesting to me how other people do gardening.

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 4 lety

      I'm so happy for you! Happy gardening

    • @fxm5715
      @fxm5715 Před 4 lety

      I think a lot of gardeners fall into the trap of thinking that what works for them must work for everyone, or that it is THE right way to do it. I take all such tips as suggestions of things you might want to try if what you're doing now isn't working as well as you'd like. :)

    • @debbieb.8708
      @debbieb.8708 Před 4 lety

      @@fxm5715 Yes I agree with you. I do the same as far as (suggestions) goes. But I thought her video was very interesting. This is the first time I've heard of anyone growing onions as she does. I thought she would like to know that we here (where I live) don't have to do all that. :)

    • @alivingpeace
      @alivingpeace Před 3 lety

      I'm in WA too, and have NO problem growing softball size Walla Walla onions. I watched the video to learn what I could. I guessed she must be located somewhere else...as too small of onions hasn't been a problem. I've never seen That 1870's Homestead videos before, but will look up more. I appreciate the information & friendly, simple & concise manner it's shared. Cheers!

  • @pamtryph2189
    @pamtryph2189 Před 2 lety

    This will be my first time growing onions. This was extremely helpful! Thank you

  • @lavonnajones4543
    @lavonnajones4543 Před 11 měsíci

    Thank you!! Growing onions for the first time in my life. After planting them in April, I didn't know what else to do with them. Today I trimmed them back and "spooned" them. Fingers crossed!

  • @leighfunderburk1072
    @leighfunderburk1072 Před 2 měsíci +3

    I think that we need to be aware that everyone's soil will differ. I've had to add sand to our soil for the carrots, garlic, and onions so they can even grow. When you're dealing with clay or gumbo in your area, an extra step like blending your soil with sand, or coconut coir or other things makes all the difference. No tip is going to help until your dirt is right, in my opinion.

  • @CristalMermaid
    @CristalMermaid Před 4 lety +30

    Yo can also make a pesto or sofrito by blending them with olive oil in the blender and use it in toasts or as a marinade or for cooking soups or stews.

  • @johnroy5459
    @johnroy5459 Před 3 lety +1

    Thank you for the video. I found it extremely easy to understand and very educational! Keep up the good job and happy gardening!

  • @amyw2182
    @amyw2182 Před 2 lety

    Planting onions for the first time this year. Thanks for the awesome tips!

  • @mytech6779
    @mytech6779 Před 2 lety +3

    In farming any crops the whole top flopping over is called lodging (like a place to sleep). It can be an issue for farmers under certain conditions or with specific cultivars but I have never seen any topping prior to the harvest season, the bigger the leaf the more energy it holds for the bulb scale(ring). You may have onions with weak necks due to nutrient imbalance or be in an area with strong winds(Put up a wind fence several feet from the beds, slats slow the wind, solid will make the wind tumble.)

  • @daughteroftheking6889
    @daughteroftheking6889 Před 3 lety +6

    I know this video is 7 months old , but this is amazing advice. I'm going to do exactly what you advised for my 2021 garden.

  • @debbymyers2134
    @debbymyers2134 Před 4 lety +2

    So happy I found your channel! I’m new to onion gardening and so appreciate your advice and tips! I’m looking forward to binge watching your previous videos😉🌱 Many thanks from Tonganoxie, Kansas💚

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 4 lety

      Welcome! So happy you found us ❤️ happy growing

  • @coltenmckeever9372
    @coltenmckeever9372 Před 3 lety +1

    So generous to give your time to teach us things!!!!!!

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 3 lety

      Glad you found it helpful!

  • @ecocentrichomestead6783
    @ecocentrichomestead6783 Před 4 lety +10

    I have found starting onions from seed, in late February, to be relatively easy. And should be less expensive than buying starts.

  • @Citystead
    @Citystead Před 4 lety +11

    Onions are about to learn the harsh reality of growing in my garden, you get the time you get 😄

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 4 lety

      Good activity for the kiddos

    • @susanlinkletter7422
      @susanlinkletter7422 Před 3 lety +2

      I am the same. No special treatment in my garden.

  • @janetgrooms4008
    @janetgrooms4008 Před 2 lety +1

    Thanks so much for the tips - completely cleared things up for me had never heard of topping the green ♥️ best video ever

  • @johnroy4508
    @johnroy4508 Před rokem

    Thank you for your very informative video and excellent explanation of the procedure you use to grow big onions for your family. May God Bless you and your family.!

  • @ka6148
    @ka6148 Před 4 lety +26

    Been growing stuttgarter onion sets for years and have never had trouble growing a full size onion

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 4 lety

      Do you know what variety they are,long day, short or intermediate?

    • @sarapulford5957
      @sarapulford5957 Před 3 lety +2

      🇬🇧 Exactly. No problem with sets in UK except they need to be protected with netting from pigeons who pick at the first sprouting points of green and pull them out.

    • @sarapulford5957
      @sarapulford5957 Před 3 lety +1

      @Pete Bailey 🇬🇧 Huh. "I went to agway" What are you trying to say ?

    • @TheBdylan23
      @TheBdylan23 Před 3 lety

      I have also grown stuttgarter and stuttgarter giants from sets for many years and never had problems growing full size onions

    • @TheBdylan23
      @TheBdylan23 Před 3 lety

      @@sarapulford5957 It seems to be a problem in the US, GB and Ireland never a problem.

  • @dustyflats3832
    @dustyflats3832 Před 2 lety +3

    Nice video. Not sure if you mentioned in another video about long day onion plants for North, short day for South and intermediate for either. Nice to know about topping greens cause that will prevent them from maturing too soon as mine usually do. I would just take my sharp hand operated hedge shears and top them. Thank you.

  • @farnabyurquhart6970
    @farnabyurquhart6970 Před 2 lety +1

    Thank you. This is my third year trying to grow onions and have always ended up with small bulbs 🥺 found your video just in time

  • @analemus4235
    @analemus4235 Před 3 lety

    I planned 80 onions recently..your topping advice will help me. Thank you!

  • @vsgP7117
    @vsgP7117 Před 4 lety +28

    Chopped green onion leaf mixed in scrambled eggs.

    • @777Ryank
      @777Ryank Před 4 lety +1

      Vs Guevara
      👊🏼

    • @chrisawelch
      @chrisawelch Před 4 lety

      I've been using them in omelettes, pasta sauces, and sprinkled over ribeye steaks.

    • @karaamundson3964
      @karaamundson3964 Před 4 lety

      Yum! I also make onion omelettes, any stage of onion, with a little sage...
      Touch of parm, white ched, or gouda optional 😃
      On a ton of things, actually...
      They're a luxury item

  • @AndreasCreations
    @AndreasCreations Před 4 lety +3

    Great tips. This is my first year trying onions. I planted sets so I'll try the rest of your tips. Fingers crossed. Thanks for sharing :-)

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 4 lety +2

      Good luck, I had a viewer that lives in PNW and said she gets big onions from sets, so there is a way

  • @mleggieri801
    @mleggieri801 Před 2 lety

    Thanks for sharing these good "how to grow onion tips." Much appreciated. Happy Gardening!

  • @terrihart2133
    @terrihart2133 Před 3 lety

    This is the first video I watched. I've been hooked ever since. ❤

  • @countryfrau8328
    @countryfrau8328 Před 4 lety +6

    I appreciate that cutting tip because I find that the stems are cracking off whenever I weed near them, etc.

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 4 lety +2

      They will thank you, for the haircut 🍈

  • @mairimarshall244
    @mairimarshall244 Před 3 lety +13

    In my experience and lots of others as well, ( loads of CZcams videos will bear this out) onion sets do grow large onions and also they do like to be grouped together in 4s or 5s. So I was really surprised to hear you say they don’t grow big at all.!

  • @mpocock2632
    @mpocock2632 Před měsícem +1

    Wow! My first year growing onions from sets watched many videos never heard this information thank you cant wait to try these points out.

  • @alivingpeace
    @alivingpeace Před 3 lety

    Thank you SO much for your helpful, infomative, simple & concise & cheerful teaching/sharing! Much appreciated!

  • @1870s
    @1870s  Před 4 lety +131

    Post Edit Important Point: Don't Cut back your green tops after they stop producing! This could inadvertently prematurely stop your growing season. @ 10-12 weeks is optimal for me. Also I grow Long Day variety. Also, it's not wise to cut right before a rain storm. Water can get down into the tubes, and could cause them to rot.

    • @debbieb.8708
      @debbieb.8708 Před 4 lety +8

      How do you know if you have long day or short day variety? I've never heard of this either.

    • @lovescamaros1
      @lovescamaros1 Před 4 lety +9

      @@debbieb.8708 a quick google search will let you know if you have long or intermediate day onions.

    • @ecocentrichomestead6783
      @ecocentrichomestead6783 Před 4 lety +12

      @Debbie onions grow best according to day length. Long day varieties need to be used in high latitudes. Short day varieties in low latitudes. And there's intermediate varieties.

    • @cherylanderson3340
      @cherylanderson3340 Před 4 lety +4

      Thank you for these timely tips. I bought onion seeds this year, & had no idea about these methods. I didn't know anything about how to grow them, really!

    • @debbieb.8708
      @debbieb.8708 Před 4 lety +3

      @@lovescamaros1 Thank you

  • @jsmythib
    @jsmythib Před 3 lety +18

    I recently learned garlic leaves(per plant)indicate the number of cloves in your bulb. Very similar to an Onion bulbs layering indication by leaves. My two most important flavor plants! :)

  • @Wolfe_Metals_Stacking
    @Wolfe_Metals_Stacking Před rokem +1

    We did sets last year, and as you said, nothing larger than a golf ball. This year, we are growing from seed. 600, to be precise. I'm not looking forward to doing the spooning for all of them, but I have heard from a few friends, and now your video that it helps. Here's hoping we get what we want out of our onions.

  • @ixchelskyfeather2513
    @ixchelskyfeather2513 Před 4 lety +4

    Great information! Thank you!!
    And I LOOOOVE your romper/jumpsuit!! Can you tell me where you purchased it? I would love to get one! 😍

  • @MrDynamitd
    @MrDynamitd Před 3 lety +3

    Put in 300 sets , got about 275 onions , not green onions but real 3 inch onions which last into next april or may.

  • @TS-xz2nm
    @TS-xz2nm Před 3 lety +1

    Thanks for this, just brought in a bunch of small onions and had no clue why.

  • @beatricerojas7777
    @beatricerojas7777 Před 2 lety

    Your Garden is Gorgeous the work you put in shows ♥️ thanks for sharing.

  • @gardeninggodess7321
    @gardeninggodess7321 Před 4 lety +21

    I rubbed my eye whilst watching and thought oh no onion in my eye lol

  • @justryan2070
    @justryan2070 Před 3 lety +6

    Clif Notes: Topping, spooning, and fertilize from seed.

  • @sharonbice7490
    @sharonbice7490 Před 2 lety

    I love onions, just can't see me not living without them! ❤️

  • @milesboulton9885
    @milesboulton9885 Před 2 lety

    Thank you for sharing your experience with us!

  • @cuttwice3905
    @cuttwice3905 Před 3 lety +6

    I grow my own starts from seed.

  • @CelestialChef90
    @CelestialChef90 Před 4 lety +3

    Great I’ll be enjoying a bunch of green onions this year. SMH. Starts it is from now on. Thanks!

    • @user-di6cn2ne7u
      @user-di6cn2ne7u Před 4 lety

      #same . I also planted bunching onions - so ill be up to my eyeballs on green onions

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 4 lety +1

      Dehydrate them, and make powder 💚

    • @user-di6cn2ne7u
      @user-di6cn2ne7u Před 4 lety

      Yes I've been dehydrating. Also making scallion pancakes !

  • @janicejurgensen2122
    @janicejurgensen2122 Před 2 lety

    Great tips!! Thank u! What a beautiful garden!

  • @peterk.6093
    @peterk.6093 Před 4 lety +20

    My mom always grew the onions on very poor, clay and sand, low nitrogen soil, no fertilizer as a rule. No topping, no spooning. Just keeping the weeds away. Hardly any watering ever. And they were always nice size. Definitely no golf ball size. The onions somehow pushed themselves out from that heavy soil. They had a rough time but survived nicely the whole winter wtithout any rot.

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 4 lety

      That's awesome 😀

    • @peterk.6093
      @peterk.6093 Před 4 lety +1

      ​@@1870s Yes, I think I understand also your love for the onions. They are a very hardy and flexible vegetable. I think the same onions can be grown in quite a different environment to produce different size and type of bulbs. Just the possibility of sowing them in such a different times of the year for different growth dynamics is fascinating.

    • @searcymasonry
      @searcymasonry Před 2 lety +2

      thats comical . my grandpa used to break all of the accepted norms . he wouldnt have been able to afford fertilizer if the shit was a penny a ton . he would roll softball sized potatoes out from the rottenest / rockiest dirt ever know to man . the thing i do remember is , he would hoe his garden in the hottest part of the day . he carried a file in his coverall pocket and every few minutes he would stop and sharpen up his hoe . he said -- you cut the weeds off at surface level in the heat of the day and them shits get their root systems baked and never come back .
      grandpa was a fn mess . his front teeth were absolutely horizontal and he told his stories incessantly , only amplified when everyone had left the room . id rather just buy a bag of onions / potatoes than to aspire to his level of crazy .

    • @searcymasonry
      @searcymasonry Před 2 lety +4

      my dad was just as nuts . he was a frothing religious zealout . he couldnt deal with crazy grandpa much . in my elder years i imagine my dad being cornered by crazy grandpa ( everett ) somewhere in heaven , and grandpa everette telling him the story that will literally NEVER END .
      i think karma has a sense of humor . :)>

    • @jujubeethatsme
      @jujubeethatsme Před 2 lety

      I would love to know how your grandpa did that

  • @Giove83
    @Giove83 Před 3 lety

    Absolutely loved this duck, Thankyou iv took it all on board I’m always willing to take tips all the time. Keep up the great work

  • @randypalmatier5495
    @randypalmatier5495 Před 3 lety +2

    Dixondale Farms cannot be beat.

  • @noniemarley7012
    @noniemarley7012 Před 3 lety +3

    At harvest time, onions should be sitting almost on the top of the ground. Also called ringing.

  • @rosemacaskie
    @rosemacaskie Před 4 lety +5

    I am a pretty useless gardener and find that my walking onions grow big the next summer not on the year i planted them. My celery to has grown big in the third year after planting it. I have planted a lot this spring or grown a lot from seed for next year.
    Onion seeds seem to sprout well in hot weather.

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 4 lety

      Awesome, I would like to try some walking onions next year and see how I like them.

  • @karencooper6634
    @karencooper6634 Před 2 lety +2

    Thanks for the tips. I wondered why I never got onions of any size while growing the bagged sets

  • @mariolopez1613
    @mariolopez1613 Před 3 lety

    Thanks for your time it was very educational

  • @partner348
    @partner348 Před 3 lety +5

    "Spooning" is labor intensive, and usually necessary only because you plant them too deep initially.

  • @rosemacaskie
    @rosemacaskie Před 4 lety +5

    if find cutelry or screw drivers so much stronger than most trowels, so, maybe they did take a spoon out with them.

    • @1870s
      @1870s  Před 4 lety

      That reminds me, I need to fix her tiny little shovel for her - Todd

  • @janicejurgensen2122
    @janicejurgensen2122 Před 2 lety

    Great tip! I will be adding that Technique to my garden chores. Thank you!