Onions don’t get bigger, planted too late

Q: I have been growing onions for years, always with poor results. The onions never grow large; they barely get larger than the size originally planted. I put them in anywhere between January and March. I’ve tried Yellow Granex, Burgundy Red, and Texas Sweet but never a big bulb.

A: You did not plant early enough. Short-day onions like these should be planted in fall, usually in October. This gives them lots of time to grow leaves before bulb formation is triggered to begin in January. Onions can tolerate most winter weather but cover yours if temperatures in the teens approach. When the leafy tops begin to turn yellow and fall over your onions are ready to dig. Be sure to fertilize and water appropriately. I have details at

Garden Planting Calendar

Vegetable Gardening in Georgia

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