We have all fallen victim to rogue onions before — those onions at the bottom of the grocery bag which, after a week or two, have put out green shoots. Aside from the roots, you have noticed that it became dry and papery, too. New to this experience? Do not fret. Throwing them away is not the only option you’re offered. In fact, it is still safe to eat those onions provided that they are not in the stage of spoiling and molding yet. You can actually still use them for dinner. Remember though that at this point, not much of its insides will be of great use to you anymore. But this is not a dead end, either. You can always opt to plant it for a good crop of future onions at the end of the season. Here’s the first part of learning how to plant a sprouted onion.
First Things First
- Prepare your sprouted onion by peeling off its papery skin.
- Separate the onion layers from the sprouts at the center by using a knife or your hands. Slice through the layers while trying to avoid the sprouts.
- Separate the sprouts from one another so they do not have to compete for space.
How to Plant a Sprouted Onion
- Dig a hole for each sprout and plant them 1 inch deep into the potting soil. Cover it back with soil totally except the green part which need to stick out of the soil. Keep each sprout at least 3 inches apart. You can also use mulch to help them grow healthy.
- Onions need an ample amount of water. Pour a little water every few days around the onion and not at the sprout itself.
- Onions cannot handle weedy competition. Check the plant regularly for weeds and remove them by the roots so they do not grow back.
There you have it! In just 3 easy steps, you can grow more onions from another onion! If you’d like to, you can spray the plants with fungicidal spray for twice a week to keep harmful fungi from destroying them. But if you prefer not to, copper sprays are a good alternative to this. Onions are indeed such resilient plants which are very easy to grow everywhere. And just like any other plant, onions can be planted in different ways convenient to the gardener, too. Here are some other ways to try on how to plant a sprouted onion:
Growing Sprouted Onions Indoors
Don’t have much space outside? No worries! With this method, you would not get a large crop as you would in the garden, but growing sprouted onions indoors is very easy and it will provide you with a part of the plant you can use for cooking and for your recipes. Many gardeners prefer this method especially those in areas with colder and shorter seasons. Here’s how to start planting your indoor sprouts:
- Plant each onion sprout in a single 8 to 12-inch pot. Be sure to remove any moldy or rotten parts before planting to take better care of the roots.
- Fill the pot with potting soil until an inch below the top.
- Make a hole in the middle of the soil that is about the width and depth of the sprouted onion.
- Carefully plant each onion in a pot, then cover them back with soil in a way that the base of the shoots meets the surface of the soil.
- Tamp the soil gently and press down to remove air pockets.
Growing Onions from Onion Bottoms
Onions are indeed soulmates of the resourceful gardener. Instead of throwing them to the trash, use discarded onion bottoms to your advantage and create an endless supply of onion. This method can be done with any types or varieties of onion. Whether it’s scallions, Spanish, spring onions, white, yellow, or Vidalia, it will work out just fine. Just slice off the onion bottom first with the roots still attached to it, a 1.5 to 2-inch bottom would be great. Let it sit for a couple of hours in a shaded area for it to completely dry. Next, fill the pot with soil ⅔ full and create a hole in the middle to cradle the onion bottom and cover it back with an inch of soil, watering as needed. If you can’t be bothered, you can also plant them directly into the ground! Growing onions from onion bottoms is a great way to increase your onion supply without having to spend a single penny on it.
Growing Onions in Water
Onions are so amazing they don’t even need soil to grow! All they need are water. Kids will love to grow onions in water as they can see the roots growing through the glass. Place the onion in a clear glass with the roots down and add just enough water to cover the roots. Place the glass beside a window or an area that receives plenty of sunlight throughout the day. Replace the water every two days so it doesn’t become dirty, and you’ll see how it will continue to grow on top with new shoots.
With these varied methods available on planting onions, you can literally grow them everywhere in your house. It’s no wonder onions are one of the most popular vegetables grown in one’s garden. You can buy onions at the store for a very affordable price, but why buy when you can easily plant it at the comfort of your home? Once you learn how to plant a sprouted onion, you will have season’s worth of crops and you will never spend a dime on these kitchen staples again. People have been planting onions for thousands of years now for at least two reasons: they store well and you can use them as an ingredient for almost every recipe around. Needless to say, onions have health benefits for days. Experience the warmth your backyard can offer and start nourishing your vegetable garden today. I’d start with an onion, if I were you.
