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Onions
,
Allium cepa
Liliaceae, Lily Family
© 2014 Shelley S. Cramm Fresh onion harvest
© 2013 Shelley S. Cramm Onions growing in a Quebec garden
We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic.
Numbers 11:5
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God's Word for Gardeners Bible
Find onions along with other Alliums in the NIV God’s Word for Gardeners Bible near Numbers 11:5 & as part of the Garden Work theme of Cultivating, page a-27 & a-28
© 2014 Shelley S. Cramm Fine onion seedlings will grow hearty and robust with flavor
Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered.
John 6:43

Cultural Information

TypeEdible Annual
Height12 - 24 inches
Soilvariety of soils, provide humus and good drainage
Exposurefull sun
Leavesmedium green, long, monocot, tubular, outer leaves begin folding over by mid-season
Flowerssingle flower, tear-shaped, opens up to sphere made up of a multitude of petite blossoms

Planting Tips

  • prepare soil with plenty of compost for light, friable texture
  • sow seeds in rows and thin seedlings to every 4 inches
  • sprinkle the cut seedlings on salads or side dishes or garnish a plate - they are very flavorful!
  • select Long Day onions if you live in the north, where summer daylight is longer
  • select Short Day onions if you live in the south - even though your hot days feel long, the sun exposure is actually shorter and these cultivars are bred to develop bulbs with less light
  • fertilize your onions throughout their growth to ensure good bulb growth
  • cut a few leaves at any time - these are "green onions"; just be sure to leave at least 3-4 leaves on each onion plant
  • harvest once the leaves begin to dry out and flop over - this will vary by climate, early to late summer
  • to harvest, gently loosen soil and pull the whole plant from the ground
  • keep moisture off of stored onions - best to hang them for a week by their drying leaves with good air circulationor more to

Garden to Table

  • onions have many varieties so enjoy trying sweet, white, yellow or purple to find your favorite
  • be ready for a few tears when chopping onions - they are worth the flavor but wash hands thoroughly after prepping
  • there is hardly a cooked dish that won't taste better with onion flavor!
  • if you can part with some of the leaves, add them to bouquets for a spikey, vertical element - though remember that they have a strong aroma
  • tie leaves in lose knots around napkins to tease the table with dinner's savory scent

More Research

See Blog Posts on Onions
Moses, on his last nerve, leading the grumbling Israelites, in turn cries out to God - as if chopping the very onions they lamented.
-from the NIV God's Word for Gardeners Bible
© 2014 Shelley S. Cramm Fine onion seedlings will grow hearty and robust with flavor
Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered.
John 6:43

Photo Credits

© 2014 Shelley S. Cramm Fresh onion harvest
© 2013 Shelley S. Cramm Onions growing in a Quebec garden
© 2014 Shelley S. Cramm Fine onion seedlings will grow hearty and robust with flavor
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