- 1). Prepare a planting bed for the onion sets in full sun. These plants are generally indifferent to soil types, although organic compost should be added to heavy clay in the spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Add enough peat to the soil if necessary to bring the pH into the range between 5.5 and 6.5.
- 2). Walk on the planting site in late March to compact the soil slightly. Moisten the soil with water the day before planting if it is dry. This ensures it is moist when the onion sets are planted.
- 3). Dig holes in the soil large enough to accommodate an onion set. Space the holes about 4 inches apart and space the rows 1 foot apart.
- 4). Place an onion set in each hole with the neck pointed up. Fill the hole with soil so that only the tip of the neck is visible above the soil. Give the onions 1 to 2 inches of water per week.
- 5). Remove weeds that grow between the onion rows, using a garden a hoe. Onions are especially sensitive to competition from other plants because of their small leaves.
- 6). Harvest the onions 1 week after the tops turn yellow. Cut the tops off 1 inch above the soil with a knife and lift them out of the ground with a fork. This prevents damaging the skins during harvest.
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