Onions
Plant Date: April 1st (indoors)
Transplant Date: May 12 (two weeks after last average frost date)
Planting: Be sure to use fresh onion seeds as they do not keep well. Plant 3 to a pot and 1/2" deep. Thin the weakest seedling. Before transplanting, the soil needs to be deeply tilled. If the soil isn't loose, the roots won't be able to grow properly. Till in some manure or compost and use a high nitrogen fertilizer. Plant the seedlings 4-5" apart.
Care: Fertilize every few weeks with nitrogen. Give them about an inch of water a week, or more if you want sweeter onions. The bulbs will push above the ground as they grow, don't try to cover them.
Harvest: The tops of the onion will turn yellow and begin to fall over when they reach maturity. At this point you can bend the tops over or stomp them to speed up the ripening. Loosen up the soil around the bulbs to help them dry. After a few days turn them up and let them cure on the dry ground. When the tops are brown, pull the onions. Let them dry for several weeks then store them in a root cellar or other cool, dry area.