Quick Overview
Growing onions from kitchen refuse is an easy and rewarding way toreduce wasteand cultivate saucy , constituent produceat home . This guidebook will ply you with the step - by - step instruction manual you need to successfully acquire onions from the roots that you would normally toss out .
Gather Your Kitchen Scraps
The first step is tocollect onion rootsfrom your kitchen flake . front for onions with firm , respectable rootsthat are at least 1 inch long . ward off using roots from onions that have been stored for a long fourth dimension or thatshow signsof disintegration .
Prepare the Soil
Onions prefer well - drained soil that is rich inorganic matter . develop a planting bed by tilling the soil to a depth of 12 inches and adding compost or manure toimprove prolificacy . Thesoil pHshould be between 6.0 and 6.5 .
Plant the Roots
Create ashallow trenchin the soil , about 2inches abstruse . Place the onion plant roots in the trench , space them about 4 inches aside . Cover the roots with soil , leave the tips bring out .
Water and Fertilize
Water theonion bed deeplyafter planting . Keep thesoil moistbut not soggy . fertilise the Allium cepa every 3 - 4 workweek with a balanced fertilizer .
Mulch and Weed
Mulch around the onions with straw or compost toretain moistureandsuppress weeds . Keep the bed weed - free by hand - pulling or hoeing .
Thin the Seedlings
Once theseedlings issue , thin them to the unassailable one perplanting mess . This will set aside the remain plant to develop to their full potential .
Harvest Your Onions
Onions are ready to harvest when thetops turn brownand hang over . Gently vacate the onion from the soil and allow them to dry in a lovesome , well - ventilated areafor 2 - 3 hebdomad .
How to Store Onions
Proper warehousing is essential for stretch out the shelf life of your onion . Store onions in a cool , dry place with good ventilation . They can be stored in interlocking bags , cardboard boxes , or hanging baskets .
Troubleshooting
job : Onion root rot . Solution : Ensure that the soil is well - drained and quash overwatering . Problem : Onion plantsare stunt . root : mark thesoil pHand adjust if necessary . fecundate the onions regularly . Problem : Onion bulbsare small or deformed . Solution : Provide adequate sunlightand nutrients . slenderize the seedlings to foreclose overcrowding .
The Bottom Line: Reap the Rewards of Onion Gardening
produce onions fromkitchen scrapsis a sustainable and rewarding practice that let you to enjoy refreshful , homegrown produce withminimal exploit . By adopt these stride , you cansuccessfully cultivate onionsand reduce barren in your kitchen .
Quick Answers to Your FAQs
Q : Can Igrow onionsfrom any eccentric of onion root?A : Yes , you cangrow onionsfrom the roots of any eccentric of onion plant , including yellow , red , blank , and sweet onion . Q : How long does it take togrow onionsfrom kitchen scraps?A : Ittypically takes3 - 4 month togrow onionsfromkitchen scrapsto maturity . Q : Can Igrow onionsin containers?A : Yes , you cangrow onionsin containers , but ensure that the container are bombastic enough to accommodate theroot systemand provide tolerable drainage .
