Match your day length
Long-day onions for the north, short-day for the south, day-neutral almost anywhere. This choice makes or breaks the crop.
A staple that stores for months and flavors everything you preserve — the simple path from set to cured bulb.
Long-day onions for the north, short-day for the south, day-neutral almost anywhere. This choice makes or breaks the crop.
Small starter bulbs ("sets") are the beginner's shortcut — plant in early spring, pointy-end up, an inch deep.
Full sun, steady feeding early, and keep them weed-free — onions hate competition for light and food.
When the tops flop and brown, lift and cure 2–3 weeks in a dry airy spot. Cured onions keep for months.
For onions plus the whole grow-and-store plan, The most complete beginner's manual we've found is The Self-Sufficient Backyard — Ron & Johanna Melchiore's 40 years off-grid distilled into food, water, power and 75+ DIY projects. Our honest take:
Garden beds, rainwater sizing, pantry days-of-supply and the weekly rhythm — free spreadsheet, straight to your inbox.