With the instructions described on this page you can learn how to grow onions. The onion is a member of the Allium family and goes back to 3500 BC. Onions are a foods that does not spoil during winter months. It's believed to have originated in Asia, but it's also very likely that it grew on every continent. http://www.magicvalleygrowers.com/history.html

Today, the onion is an important part of our diet. Onions are low in cholesterol, sodium and saturated fat. They are also a good source of vitamin B6, folate, potassium, fiber manganese and vitamin C.http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2501/2 Onions are used in many breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes such as soups and salads, dips and hors d'oeuvres.

Growing onions is not difficult. They don't take up a lot of space in the home garden and don't take a long time to grow. A square food of space can usually grow a couple of onions. http://www.gardenersnet.com/vegetable/onion.htmM

When:
Onions grow in most climates and are frost resistant. You can even grow them in a sunny window sill during winter. The time to sow onions depends on the kind of onion you use. There are three types:http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_mini_project_august_1_onion.asp

1. Maincrop onion seed and sets—sow in March
2. Japanese onion seed—sow mid August
3. Spring onion seed—sow from early April through early June
   
   

Where:
To grow onions make sure the pH of your soil ranges from 5.5 to 6.5. http://www.gardeningpatch.com/vegetable/growing-onions.aspx If you don't know how to test soil pH, check with your local garden center or nursery. You can purchase a soil test kit with complete instructions. The soil can be anywhere from sandy to heavy clay, but it should be firm. Use compost or manure to get a well balanced soil. You can grow onions both inside and outside since not much space is needed.

How:
You can grow onions from seeds, seedlings and sets (aka bulbs). The easiest and fastest is to use sets.
When using sets, plant the bulbs 3 to 4 inches apart, in double rows six to ten inches apart. Make sure to leave enough space between the rows so that you can weed. If you are using seeds, you can start them off indoors or outdoors. Plant them by covering them with one fourth inch of soil. http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/PLANTanswers/publications/onions/oniongro.html Make sure the onions are fully exposed to sunlight and watch them thrive. Indoors you can place them a window sill.

1. Onion seeds, seedlings or bulbs (aka sets)
2. Water
3. Compost
4. A nitrogen-based fertilizer
5. A fork

Care:
If you live in a dry area, water the onions frequently. If you live in an area with a lot of rainfall, you will not need to water as frequently. Keep the soil moist, not wet. Frequent weeding to keep the growing area clean is also important.

Three weeks after planting, apply a nitrogen-based fertilizer and continue this every two to three weeks until harvesting.http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/PLANTanswers/publications/onions/oniongro.html Make sure to water each time after using fertilizer.

Harvest:
When to harvest depends on how you started: http://gardening.about.com/od/vegetables/a/Growing_Onions.htm
From seed—harvest in 110 - 125 days
Seedlings—harvest in 70-90 days
Sets—harvest in 50-60 days

You can also tell when onions are ready to be harvested by their tops. Wait one week after their tops have fallen over which will have fallen over to start harvesting. Use a fork to lift the onions out of the ground. After harvesting, clean the soil of the onions and place them on top of the soil so that the tops can dry out. http://www.gardeningpatch.com/vegetable/growing-onions.aspx