ONIONS: A FOREVER FOOD!

Don't you just hate it when your onions in the bottom of the pantry start to sprout and you have to put them in the compost bin or worse.

God forbid...throw them out? There goes your hard earned money into the bin. 

 DAY #1

Well, not anymore!

Now, you can count it as a blessing. It is just nature giving you a head start on growing more!

 Onions are a 'FOREVER PLANT'. Meaning you buy them once and you could have onions forever! Of course, it takes a very small amount of work, but just think of the results!

Did you know you can grow multiple onions from sprouted onions like those pictured above? I am going to show you how. 

Day #1

First, you will cut the bottom off, just like you would if you were peeling it to eat or cook with (See pic above). Just sit this in a small dish for a couple of days to dry out. Then it will be ready to put into potting soil. You will plant it root side down (opposite direction of the picture). Each onion bottom should produce 2-3 sprouts. 

Next, peel the onion of its dry outer skin, just like normal. I put mine in the compost bin, you do what you wish with yours. I don't judge.

Then, pull back the layers very carefully, to reveal the sprouts. You may use the outer layers to eat or cook with as so long as they are not yellow or 'mushy' soft to the touch. I was able to salvage 1/2 a quart sized, zippered storage bag of diced onions from the 2 onions I started with. 

DAY #1

Then, you will carefully and gently separate the sprouts. Place each one into a jar of water by itself. I used recycled plastic jars. Just use whatever clear container you have on hand. No need to rush out and buy something fancy. (I think the one pictured was a peanut butter jar in a former life. The one next to it was a mayonnaise jar.) Onions love to grow in sunlight. So remember to place your containers where they will get plenty of sun. Mine are living on my porch rail, but a window sill would work just as well. You will want to add enough water so that it is just up to the green part of the sprout. Let these soak for 7-10 days until tiny roots start to form. Then, they are ready to be planted in your kitchen garden.
                                                                        TA DA! Super easy!

Out of the 2 onions donated by my lovely daughter for this growing experiment, I was able to start 7 sprouts and 2 onion bottoms. Remember, each onion bottom should produce 2-3 sprouts each!