![]() ![]() The cell packs are set into a tray with no holes in the bottom. So for onions I use a standard plastic 4-cell pack. There are many benefits to soil blocks, but I find that they are difficult for planting onions where multiple seeds will share one cell. Normally I prefer to start my seeds in soil blocks. You will see a tiny white tail come out of the side of the seed and then it’s time to transplant them! Just make sure it’s warm and check on them every day or so. Whether you set them in the sun or keep them in a dark place to germinate doesn’t matter. Keep them flat and slip it into a gallon zipped bag so they stay moist. ![]() All you have to do is scatter them over a wet paper towel (or I suppose a rag would work) and lay another paper towel (or rag) carefully over the top. How to Pre-Sprout Onion SeedsĬhitting onions is simple. But at least you won’t end up with eye strain and still not be certain they’re evenly spread out. Transplanting the sprouted seeds is careful tedious work, I won’t deny it. It is a nightmare planting them one by one in your flats when you can’t even see what you’re doing. The second reason to pre-sprout onion seeds is that the seeds are fairly small. While pre-sprouting is an extra step, it is 100% worth the work! After all, we’re Homesteaders of America! This isn’t play gardening, we take the work of feeding our families and communities seriously! ![]() If you have a 75% germination rate, that is 25% wasted space that you could be using to grow more food. (Because it already has.) Since the light & possibly heat you will be using to start seeds isn’t free, you want to make sure there is no wasted space under the glow of the grow lights. First, you know for certain the seed you are planting in the flat will germinate. Pre-sprouting onion seeds has two primary purposes. Pre-sprouting (or “chitting”) seeds is where you get them to germinate BEFORE you plant them. Give it a shot this spring and I imagine you’ll learn that it’s worth the effort! Pre-Sprout the Seeds Please don’t let my over-describing discourage you! It’s not really that difficult as it may seem and is very rewarding. I’m going to try to be as detailed as possible while describing how I successfully grow onions from seed. Or they may simply never produce a bulb at all. They may go straight to flowering without producing a bulb. It seems as though they don’t root as deeply as onions grown from seed. While they’re “coming back to life” they may need replanted if they pop out of the soil. The little onion sets are often dry and look half dead when you plant them. ![]() In both cases, the onions I’ve grown from seed are always healthier and more productive. I’ve sourced them from reputable online sellers as well as from local Amish garden centers. I’ve tried growing onions from sets several times. When growing onions from seed, you have a greater choice of variety to meet your flavor, storage, and day-length needs. That’s reason enough for me! But there are other advantages as well. Of all the seeds I start each year, onions are my favorite to grow! Starting a new garden in the dead of winter has a way of making the dreary days seem to go by more quickly. So let’s learn the tips & tricks to grow onions from seed all the way to harvesting big, beautiful bulbs, plus how to cure and store them for using over the winter. It would be nice if you could just sprinkle them over your flat and be done with it, but they will turn into a tangled mess before long. Growing onions from seed can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be! Onion seeds take a long time to grow and must be started indoors during mid to late winter. ![]()
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