Growing onions from seed

[susan]

It's been such a mess this past fall getting seeds. It took a total of 3 orders to get what I wanted. So not wanting to depend on being able to get onion sets this spring, I ordered onion seeds. I'm already behind, but getting ready to plant them. I've been watching videos on it. So has anyone else ever grown them from seed?

[Granny Smith]

I haven't, but you've got me interested.

[upnorthlady2]

I always grow sweet onions from seed. I use the somewhat square black plastic tubs about 4 x 5 inches. Scatter the seeds on the soil and cover with about 1/4 inch of soil. I have also just put soil in the whole tray and scattered the seeds all over and cover with a little soil. Put the clear lid on the tray until the onions sprout. The onions don't mind growing close together for a while. Keep the soil moist but not sopping. When the plants are about 6 or 7 inches high, I take the trays out to the garden, separate the onions, and lay them at an angle in a trench. Then when I use a hoe to cover the trench, the onions get straightened up. When the plants are young like this be sure to water well. I always grow Candy Sweets and Walla Walla from seed. Regular yellow onions that I store for winter, I buy sets for those. But I'm sure that yellow onions would be the same method as growing sweet onions. Or white onions. They are very easy to grow from seeds. If you want big onions be sure to plant them about 3 inches apart. Or, if you do plant them closer together, use some of the growing onions for "green onions" in the kitchen, and thin them out this way. Good luck! I live up in the cold northern MN country, and have never had a problem growing onions from seed.