Fertilizing onion plants is also vital to success. Research indicates that onion growth and yield are greatly enhanced by banding phosphorus about 2 to 3 inches below the seed at planting time. The phosphorus acts as a starter solution which invigorates the growth of young seedlings. This fertilizer encourages larger plants. Each leaf forms a ring in the onion bulb.
More leaves mean more rings and larger onion bulbs.
Use about cup of the fertilizer for each 10 feet of onion row. Scatter the fertilizer evenly between the rows and water. Weeds are easy to remove when they are 3 to 4 inches tall. When hoeing weeds and grass, do not work the soil too deeply for it may damage shallow roots. When possible always hand pull weeds to avoid root damage.