Today I started my onion seeds, and I wanted to show the Rooted Crew exactly what I did in case anyone else wants to try growing onions from seed this year. First, I mixed up a batch of seed-starting soil using the soil calculator. It’s that simple peat-based seed mix that stays light and drains well. Once the soil was ready, here’s the process I followed. My Onion Seed Starting Method 1️⃣ I filled a 1-gallon nursery pot with the seed starting mix. 2️⃣ I watered the soil first so the mix was evenly moist before planting. 3️⃣ I sprinkled the onion seeds across the surface of the soil. I didn’t try to space them perfectly. Onions actually do well when they start out a little crowded like this. 4️⃣ Then I added a very light dusting of soil over the seeds.Just enough to barely cover them. 5️⃣ I gently watered again to settle everything in. 6️⃣ Finally, I placed the pot in a sunny window so they can start germinating. Now we wait for the little green onion threads to start popping up. 🌱 Why I Started Them in a Bigger Pot A lot of people start onions in trays, but I like using a larger pot sometimes because it lets the seedlings grow together for a while. Later on you can simply separate the seedlings into little bunches and transplant them into the garden. It’s simple and it works. Quick Onion Tip: Long-Day vs Short-Day Onions This part confuses a lot of gardeners, so here’s the quick explanation. Onions form their bulbs based on day length, not just age. Long-day onions • Start forming bulbs when daylight reaches about 14–16 hours• Best for northern areas like Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, etc. Short-day onions • Start forming bulbs when days reach 10–12 hours• Best for southern climates like Texas, Florida, and Georgia. Since we live farther north, long-day onions are the right choice. If you plant the wrong type, the plant might grow leaves but never form a proper bulb. Why Growing Onions From Seed is Worth It Most people buy onion sets, but starting from seed has some advantages:

Okayyyy we’ve got our first tiny green rebel popping up 🌱😂Nothing makes me more irrationally happy than seeing that little hook break through like, “Yeah… I live here now.” If you’re starting seeds too, drop a pic of your first sprout (or your “why won’t you sprout?!” tray) 👀👇

I just started peppers seeds. Get my seed starting mix 👇 https://www.skool.com/garden-4952/classroom/e9b910b4?md=e9116c5f02044c7fb4af296f8e2cc1f5

This is how I’m starting sweet potatoes this year. 🥔 I like to begin about 2 months before planting time so I’ve got strong, healthy slips ready when the soil finally warms up. Nothing fancy — just suspending them in water and letting them wake back up. Roots push first. Then the shoots start climbing. It’s pretty cool to watch. One thing I make sure to do: change the water every few days. 💧Fresh water keeps it from getting funky and helps prevent rot. If it starts getting cloudy the sweet potato is rotting. By planting time, I’ll twist off the slips and they’ll be ready for the ground. Anyone else starting theirs early this year? Or do you plant straight from slips?