Growing onions in containers is a wonderful way to have fresh onions on hand throughout the year. Growing onions in containers don’t have to be difficult or a lot of work, especially if you start with a good mix.
If you’re new to container gardening, this post will give you the low-down on how long it takes onion to grow in pots, and what type of soil onions prefer. Onions are easy to grow in a container. But they require a little more effort than, say, lettuce.
Can you grow onions in a pot?
Technically yes, you can. But growing onions in a pot isn’t easy. Growing onions in pots also require some knowledge of how onions grow and what their needs are.
Onions come in many varieties. Some varieties are better for growing indoors, while others are better for growing outdoors.
- For indoor growing, you should choose a variety that does well in pots, and one that produces small bulbs with thick skin.
- For outdoor growing, choose an onion variety that holds its shape well while growing.
When to plant onions?
We should plant onions in the spring, or in the fall, which season is best? Container gardeners want to know when to start planting onions in a container. In the following paragraphs, we will go over this topic in more depth.
There are as many answers as there are onion growers. Some grow onions year-round. Others wait for the fall. Some plant in the spring, and others in the fall.
But most onion growers grow onions in containers. It is kind of obvious that onions grow better in containers than in soil. The roots dangle down, nearer the watering can; the leaves dangle down, nearer the light. The onions don’t have to worry much about weeds, or about rain.
But which season is best?
Some fall-planted onions are out before spring planting is done. When I look out the window in spring, I can see the green shoots of fall-planted onions poking up out of the snow. But I can only see few seedlings of spring-planted onions.
And then there are the bulbs. Fall-planted onions are bigger, tougher, and better-shaped. The leaves of fall-planted onions are completely green, while spring-planted onions have leaves that are tinted, green at the top, often purple, at the bottom.
Fall-planted onions are bigger and flatter, and sweeter-tasting. The flavor of fall-planted onions seems to linger in my mouth, while the flavor of spring-planted onions seems to evaporate, very quickly. So it seems that fall planting is best. But in fact, Spring- planted onions are bigger and tougher.
Conditions for Growing Onions in Containers
Growing onions in containers require careful attention to sunlight, water, and soil nutrients. That said, onions are one of the easiest vegetables to grow in containers.
First off, onions do best in full sun. They do OK in partially shaded locations, but they won’t grow as well.
Onions grow best in loose, well-drained soil. Use potting soil or potting mix, and make sure it is well composted. Use fertilizer or compost to amend the soil before planting.
Onions grow best in temperatures between 50- and 75-degrees Fahrenheit. They like moist, not wet, soil. Water regularly, but don’t overwater. Onions won’t grow well in soggy soil.
How to plant onions
In spring, when the soil is warm enough, set out a few onion bulbs (the bulbs are smaller than onion bulbs you buy in the store; they’re about the size of golf balls).
The distance between the two should be about an inch. They won’t grow much, but they will sprout. When the sprouts are about an inch tall, thin them out to a foot apart. Onions are shallow-rooted, so they need room.
Plant onions at least one inch deep, and water them well after planting. If you live in a humid area or poor drainage location, plant the onion in raised beds or containers.
What are the benefits of growing onions in containers?
Onions are one of the easiest plants to grow in pots, so you can grow them without much experience.
- Tasty fresh garden-grown onions
- No digging, very little watering
- Use in dishes right from the pot
- There is better control of pests and disease
- There is less chance that heavy rain will rot your onions
Conclusion
Growing onions in the pot are very simple because this plant tolerates poor soil, little water, hot summers, and winds, but for maximum productivity, it is important to ensure good conditions for growing onions in the pot. You can have your onions in your bed, you will have no need to buy them at the market.