If You live in Zone 7 and warmer, choose short-day onions, such as Red Burgundy, Red Creole, and Vidalia. If you live in Zone 6 and colder, choose long-day onions, such as: Alisa Craig, Copra, and White Sweet Spanish. (14-16 hours). You can grow day-neutral onions, such as Cabernet and Candy, in any growing zone (12-14 hours). There are online tools you can use to help you figure out your zone. Check a plant hardiness zone map to know your area. [2] X Research source
The hardening process will help the seedlings get used to colder temperatures, decreased sun, and less watering. Transplanting the seedlings outside right away will send the seedlings into shock and could possibly kill them.
If you can, try adding some organic material into the soil, such as rotted manure or compost intended for gardening. [6] X Research source If you can’t get 5-10-5 fertilizer, try to find something that is high in phosphorus.
Use a fork to loosen a hole in the dirt, place the seedling into the hole, and then push the dirt back.
This will speed up the process of drying the bulbs, as well.
If you cure the onions in direct sunlight, the skins will soften and invite bacteria. If you cure them someplace damp and humid, they may start to rot.
Store the onions in an onion bag, and hang the bag up. Store the onions in a shallow box. Use newspaper to keep the bulbs separate. Store the onions in nylon stockings. Tie a knot in the stocking between each bulb. Hang the stocking up. When you want to get an onion, simply cut below or above a knot.
