Norann Oleson, Editorial Director of Food Gardening Network

Right now, someone is chopping up onions for an omelet. Or preparing a batch of onion rings. Or patiently stirring the pan as the onions caramelize. Onions are a staple in people’s diets the world over—and they have been for thousands of years!

The humble onion is one of the most popular vegetables in the world. It comes in so many colors and flavors—it’s a cook’s dream and a gardener’s delight!

In this collection’s Introduction, you’ll first learn some history and basics about onions—to get you ready for growing your own. Then, in the Feature Articles, you’ll get specifics about onion gardening—from types of plants and soil preparation to watering, weeding, and controlling and preventing disease.

If you’re already an advanced onion and food gardener, some of this may be refresher content for you. But stick with it, because you’re certain to learn something new, especially when it comes to the history of onions and the recipes!

In Plant Profiles, you’ll learn about 11 popular varieties of onions, broken down by where and how they grow best, so you can choose the onions that are right for your garden.

While there are hundreds of varieties of onions, we’ve chosen these eleven onion plants to profile because they offer something for every gardener. If you’d like us to include another onion variety that appeals to you, please let me know by commenting below.

We are, after all, a network of food gardeners—for and by fellow food gardeners—who want to enjoy all the benefits of growing our own delicious food at home!

One of the things that makes Food Gardening Network unique is the assortment of super easy and delicious Recipes, so that you can enjoy the fruits of your gardening labor. Onions are no exception!

These onion recipes include uses for savory soup, artistic bread, easy pickles, and more. You will be sure to delight everyone at your table when you prepare onions any of these ways, and these dishes will become staples in your household. Enjoy your onion harvest with these tasty recipes, and your family and friends will appreciate all your onion gardening efforts!

Next, you’ll learn Nutrition Facts about Onions to find out exactly which nutrients are found in onions—and to what degree—and the most common compounds. Home Remedies & Health Benefits of Onions will help you learn about how key nutrients in onions can help prevent some diseases, such as heart disease and some forms of cancer. You’ll also learn all about other benefits and uses for onions—including a homemade cough syrup that will help calm that tickle in your throat!

To help you explore the sweet world of onions even further, we’ve included a Resources section that is complementary to this collection. We aim to give you everything you need to grow, harvest, and eat delicious onions, but feel free to take a deeper dive into these additional resources by visiting the links provided.

Finally, you’ll find a brief Glossary at the end of this collection in case you need a fuller explanation of any key terms and concepts.

Now, let’s learn how to grow the best onions ever!