This is probably a little-known fact: The onion is reportedly the third most important vegetable in the world. The University of Missouri shares that Ulysses S. Grant sent a message to the War Department during the Civil War stating, “I will not move my army without onions.” (bit.ly/49UagBK)
This lowly root vegetable’s name is derived from Latin, meaning “one” or “unity,” and refers to the bulb’s concentric rings. Originating more than 5,000 years ago, human consumption of the onion can be traced back to the Bronze Age. “Egyptians worshiped onion, thinking its concentric rings symbolized eternal life.” Paintings of onions appear on the inner walls of the pyramids and tombs. They would often bury onions with their dead. (onion.nmsu.edu/history.html)
The ancient Greeks consumed onions to balance their blood and improve their athleticism. The Romans rubbed it on their gladiators to tone their muscles.
Onions were also traditionally used to treat hair loss, colds and coughs. Today, eating onions is associated with a “reduced risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes.”
Loaded with vitamin C, potassium and fiber, onions are also one of the richest sources of quercetin — a flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The long list of health benefits from consuming onions is quite impressive: they may inhibit the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, thin the blood, protect against cancer, improve gut health and possibly even protect bones. (nutritionletter.tufts.edu/general-nutrition/know-your-onions-peeling-powerful-nutrition-benefits)
Onions are fairly easy to grow in the home garden. You can use seeds, sets or transplants. Colorado State University Extension shares that “growing onions from seed is economical” and those grown from seed do not produce flower stems as often as transplanted onions. (shorturl.at/dilY5)
Onion seeds can be planted from mid-March to late April, depending on the variety. Plant seeds approximately one inch deep and two inches apart. Thin the plants to three or four inches apart when they have five to 10 leaves. You can use the pulled onions as scallions.
Water frequently, because onion roots are quite shallow. The bulbs may develop on the top of the soil, and that is OK. When the tops of the onion plants start to lay over on the ground, usually in August, stop watering.
Once most of the leaves are on the ground, pull the bulbs and leave them there on the ground for another week or two to allow them to cure. Once they completely dry, cut off the tops and store in a dark area.
If you avoid cooking with onions, because cutting them makes you cry, try wearing swim or ski goggles. I usually wear my glasses, which seems to help.
Arianna Kelley Rawlsky has an master’s degree in horticulture and created Bringing People and Plants Together, an organization dedicated to bringing horticulture education and therapy to the community. For more information: PeopleAndPlantsTogether@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook.
