How to Acclimate Onion Plants

Acclimation is not necessary for bare-root crops such as potatoes, onions, asparagus, or any other plant entirely under the soil. Upon arrival, they can be planted immediately in the ground or growing container.

When Your Onion Plants Arrive

So now you’ve ordered the right onion type for your growing zone, and your onion sets are on the way! When they arrive:

  • Immediately remove the onion plants from the shipping box.
  • Keep the onion plants cool and dry—do not let them come in contact with soil or water until you’re ready to plant.
  • If you can’t plant right away, don’t worry. The onions are dormant and can survive for a couple of weeks in a cool, dark, dry place.

NOTE: This is part 2 in a series of 9 articles. For a complete background on how to grow onion plants, we recommend starting from the beginning.