Onions build their bulb underground almost unnoticed until the tops flop over, signaling that months of quiet growth are finally ready to be pulled and cured.
A kitchen staple grown nearly everywhere, onions come in short-day and long-day varieties tied to your latitude, and choosing the right type for your region matters more for bulb size than almost any other factor.
Onions want full sun and loose, well-draining soil, and choosing short-day varieties in southern zones or long-day varieties in northern ones matters more than most gardeners realize for good bulb formation. Stop watering once the tops naturally flop over — that's the signal bulbs are mature and ready to cure.
Cure freshly pulled onions in a warm, dry, well-ventilated spot for two to three weeks before storing — this dries the outer skins and dramatically extends how long they'll keep.
