One of the easiest, and most foolproof, vegetables that can be grown in a home garden, the onion is a gardener’s staple that are a foundational part of so many of the foods we eat. Onions require minimal space, as they grow underground, and can be harvested early as a scallion, or left to grow to full size. Onions are loaded with dietary fiber, vitamin C, and folic acid, and contain zero fats.

So you’ve decided to plant onion in your fantasitc garden, nice! According to our research on onion, we don’t recommend planting asparagus, beans, and peas nearby.

The most effective way to grow onions is to start the plant from sprout, or transplant. Plant your onion crop 2-3 weeks before the last frost by digging out a furrow 2-3 inches deep and planting each sprout 4-6 inches apart. One of the most important parts to growing onions is keeping them well weeded. Because they grow underground, the onion bulb is constantly competing with other growth for nutrients in the soil. A thick layer of organic mulch around your onions will help keep weeds at bay. Provide your onions with at least one inch of water each week.

The green stalks of the onion are the indicator for when an onion is ready to be harvested. When the stalks begin to turn brown, and the top of the onion begins to yellow slightly, the onion is ready to be picked. Bend over the stem to a 90-degree angle, which will force the plant to stop growing and begin to mature the bulb. A day or two later, the onion will be ready to be dug up, cleaned off, and used in your next dish.