How To Grow Onions In Pots? Learn Basics 101

Almost every kitchen has onions on hand as a basic component for various recipes from all over the world. Growing these allium family members at home is not only easier, but also more cost-effective than purchasing them from a shop.

Even without a garden or backyard, you can grow onions in containers on your porch, or patio. You can grow onions in red, yellow, or white varieties in planter pots. Before planting onions in pots, ensure that the area where you want to keep the pot receives full sun—ideally with an 8 hours sunlight exposure. Continue studying to learn more.

Container Placement And Selection

The most crucial thing is to make sure your onions have adequate space to thrive. The soil depth must be at least 10 inches in onion pots'. Any diameter is acceptable, as long as each onion has between 3 and 4 inches of space to grow. 

Use a planter box, five-gallon bucket, or any other strong container you happen to have. Aim to raise the container between one and two inches off the ground and make sure it has adequate drainage holes.

As with traditional onion cultivation, position your container to receive as many hours of direct sunshine as possible. Indoor-grown onions will need longer days and artificial light to generate heat units.

Onion Soil Care

The ideal soil for container-grown onions is loamy, well-draining soil with a mildly acidic pH. Make sure to amend the soil with mature compost or a balanced fertiliser before planting.

Read More: Tips To Grow Cabbage Plants In Your Kitchen Garden At Home

Fertilisers For Your Onions

When planting, cover a 10-square-foot area with 1 cup of a balanced fertiliser and mix it into the soil. Don't combine weed and feed products any deeper than 1 inch.

After three weeks to a month, feed your area with one cup of Ammonium Sulfate or a comparable high nitrogen product, and continue doing so every three weeks to a month until the onions begin to bulb. 

Once you notice the onions have begun to bulb, cut down on the fertiliser.

Setting Up Your Onions

If you wish to harvest green onions before your full-sized onions mature, space your plants 2 inches apart in all directions. If you harvest every other onion, you can have edible green onions as little as 4 weeks after planting. Remember to use the plant's tops as well, since they are edible.

Later in the season, the remaining bulbs will have ample space to grow into 4-inch bulbs. Onions require about 4 inches to reach their maximum size. For example, a 5 square foot container may hold about 60 plants.

How To Water Onions In Pots?

Apply 1 to 2 inches of water to the onions each week. Since onion plants frequently appear healthy even when they want water, be sure to examine the soil. If you use mulch, onions will require less water. However, during hot and dry weather, it's crucial to regularly inspect them and water them as necessary. 

To check dampness, stick your finger into the ground. If you don't feel any moisture at your first knuckle, watering is required.

Supplies And Tools 

You can grow onions in containers, but in order to accommodate the roots, you'll need a good-sized pot that is at least 10 inches deep. The pot's diameter should be approximately eight inches. Select a pot that is three inches wide for each onion you wish to grow if you are planting many in a single pot.

For example, you can grow six to eight onion plants in a five-gallon container. If the holes are deep enough, you can also plant onions in window boxes or buckets with holes drilled in the bottom.