How to Grow These 3 Self-Planting Veggies: Garlic, Potatoes, and Onions – The Easiest Crops for Beginners

Intro for These 3 Veggies Practically Planted Themselves So Easy

Garlic, potatoes, and onions are three of the easiest vegetables to grow, often seeming to plant themselves with minimal effort. These kitchen staples are not only simple to cultivate but also offer excellent value, producing abundant harvests from small spaces. Perfect for beginners, these vegetables thrive in most temperate regions and can be grown in both garden beds and containers. What makes them truly special is their ability to propagate from their own parts – garlic from cloves, potatoes from tubers, and onions from sets or leftover bottoms. With basic care and minimal maintenance, these self-sufficient vegetables will reward you with fresh, flavorful produce that far surpasses store-bought alternatives.

When to plant These 3 Veggies Practically Planted Themselves So Easy

Garlic is best planted in fall (September to November in most temperate regions), allowing it to develop roots before winter dormancy. Plant when soil temperatures drop below 15°C (60°F) but before the ground freezes.

Potatoes should be planted after the last spring frost when soil temperatures reach at least 7-10°C (45-50°F). In warmer regions, a second crop can be planted in late summer for fall harvest.

Onions are typically planted in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, usually when temperatures consistently stay above 4°C (40°F). In milder climates, fall planting is also possible for certain varieties.

Best time to plant These 3 Veggies Practically Planted Themselves So Easy

For garlic in cool-temperate regions, mid-October to early November is ideal. In warmer climates, plant in late November to December. Garlic is always directly planted as individual cloves, never transplanted.

Potatoes in cool regions should be planted mid-April to early May. In warmer areas, plant in March or early April, and consider a second planting in August. Potatoes are grown from seed potatoes placed directly in soil.

Onions in cool regions are best planted from sets (small bulbs) in March-April. In warmer zones, plant from late February. If starting from seeds indoors, begin 8-10 weeks before outdoor planting date, then transplant.

Best These 3 Veggies Practically Planted Themselves So Easy varieties to grow

• Garlic – Hardneck ‘Music’: Large cloves with excellent flavor and cold hardiness, perfect for northern regions.
• Garlic – Softneck ‘California White’: Excellent storage life and milder flavor, ideal for braiding and warmer climates.
• Potatoes – ‘Yukon Gold’: Versatile, buttery-flavored, yellow-fleshed variety that’s disease-resistant and stores well.
• Potatoes – ‘Red Pontiac’: High-yielding red-skinned variety that’s heat-tolerant and excellent for container growing.
• Potatoes – ‘Fingerling’: Unique elongated tubers with gourmet flavor, perfect for small spaces and containers.
• Onions – ‘Stuttgarter’: Reliable yellow storage onion that performs well in most climates from sets.
• Onions – ‘Walla Walla Sweet’: Mild, sweet onion ideal for fresh eating, though with shorter storage life.
• Onions – ‘Red Burgundy’: Beautiful red onion with mild flavor, good for containers and adding color to gardens.

How to plant These 3 Veggies Practically Planted Themselves So Easy

Materials needed:

• Seed garlic bulbs, seed potatoes, or onion sets
• Compost or well-rotted manure
• Garden fork or tiller
• Garden trowel
• Mulch (straw or dried leaves)
• Balanced organic fertilizer
• Containers (optional, for container growing)

Step-by-step planting:

1. Prepare your soil by loosening it to a depth of 20-30 cm (8-12 inches) and incorporating 5-7 cm (2-3 inches) of compost.
2. For garlic, break apart bulbs into individual cloves just before planting, keeping the papery skin intact.
3. Plant garlic cloves 5 cm (2 inches) deep, pointed end up, spaced 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) apart in rows 30 cm (12 inches) apart.
4. For potatoes, cut larger seed potatoes into pieces with at least 2-3 “eyes” (sprouts) per piece and allow cut surfaces to callus for 24 hours before planting.
5. Plant potato pieces 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) deep, eyes facing up, spaced 30 cm (12 inches) apart in rows 60-75 cm (24-30 inches) apart.
6. For onions, plant sets 2.5 cm (1 inch) deep with the pointed end up, spaced 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) apart in rows 30 cm (12 inches) apart.
7. Water all newly planted vegetables thoroughly but gently to avoid washing away soil.
8. Apply a 5 cm (2 inch) layer of mulch around plants to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
9. For container growing, use containers at least 30 cm (12 inches) deep for potatoes, and 15 cm (6 inches) deep for garlic and onions.

How to grow These 3 Veggies Practically Planted Themselves So Easy

All three vegetables prefer full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. In very hot regions, light afternoon shade can be beneficial for onions.

Water requirements vary by crop. Garlic needs consistent moisture until the leaves begin to yellow (typically in early summer), then reduce watering. Potatoes require 2.5-5 cm (1-2 inches) of water weekly, with consistent moisture especially important during flowering and tuber formation. Onions need regular watering to maintain moist but not soggy soil, reducing water as bulbs mature.

For fertilizing, apply a balanced organic fertilizer (like 10-10-10) when planting. For garlic, add another light feeding in spring when growth resumes. Potatoes benefit from side-dressing with compost when plants are 15 cm (6 inches) tall. Onions appreciate a nitrogen boost every few weeks until bulbing begins.

Mulch all three crops with straw or dried leaves to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. For potatoes, “hill” the plants by mounding soil or mulch around stems as they grow to prevent greening of tubers.

In containers, use a high-quality potting mix with added compost. Potato containers should be at least 40-50 cm (16-20 inches) deep to allow for hilling. Garlic and onions can grow in shallower containers but ensure good drainage.

Caring for These 3 Veggies Practically Planted Themselves So Easy

For garlic, remove any flower stalks (scapes) that appear in late spring to direct energy to bulb formation. Harvest when the lower third of leaves have yellowed, typically in mid-summer.

Potatoes should be monitored for Colorado potato beetles and aphids. Hand-pick beetles and spray affected plants with insecticidal soap for aphids. Watch for signs of blight (dark spots on leaves) and remove affected foliage immediately. Harvest new potatoes when plants flower, or wait until vines die back for mature tubers.

Onions may face thrips (tiny insects causing silvery streaks) and onion maggots. Use floating row covers to prevent insect access and practice crop rotation. Harvest when tops fall over and dry for 1-2 weeks before storing in cool, dry conditions.

All three vegetables store well when properly cured. Cure garlic and onions by hanging in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area for 2-3 weeks. Store potatoes in a cool (7-10°C/45-50°F), dark place to prevent sprouting.

Understanding bolting in These 3 Veggies Practically Planted Themselves So Easy

Bolting refers to premature flowering and is primarily a concern with garlic and onions. When these plants bolt, they send up a flowering stalk, which diverts energy from bulb development, resulting in smaller harvests.

The main triggers for bolting include temperature fluctuations (especially cold followed by heat), day length changes, and plant stress from inconsistent watering or poor nutrition. Hardneck garlic naturally produces scapes which should be removed, while softneck varieties rarely bolt.

To prevent bolting, plant at the appropriate time for your region, maintain consistent watering, and ensure adequate nutrition. For garlic, planting in fall allows proper vernalization (cold period) that reduces spring bolting risk.

If bolting occurs, promptly remove flower stalks to redirect energy to the bulbs. While the harvest may be smaller, the vegetables are still edible. The flowers of both garlic and onions are also edible and make attractive garnishes.

Why does These 3 Veggies Practically Planted Themselves So Easy turn bitter?

• Improper storage: Potatoes exposed to light turn green and develop a bitter, potentially toxic compound called solanine. Store in complete darkness.
• Heat stress: Onions grown in excessive heat or with inadequate water can develop a stronger, more bitter flavor. Provide afternoon shade in hot regions.
• Soil deficiencies: Lack of sulfur can affect garlic and onion flavor development. Incorporate compost or a balanced organic fertilizer before planting.
• Harvesting too late: Garlic left in the ground too long can split and develop off-flavors. Harvest when lower third of leaves have yellowed.
• Pest damage: Insect damage can trigger defense compounds in all three vegetables, affecting flavor. Monitor regularly for pests and address promptly.

Companion planting for These 3 Veggies Practically Planted Themselves So Easy

Good companions for garlic include:

• Tomatoes: Garlic repels spider mites and other tomato pests.
• Carrots: Garlic’s strong scent deters carrot fly.
• Roses: Garlic helps prevent black spot and repels aphids.
• Fruit trees: Planting garlic at the base helps deter borers and other pests.

Good companions for potatoes include:

• Horseradish: Improves disease resistance and potato flavor.
• Beans: Fix nitrogen in soil that benefits potatoes.
• Marigolds: Repel nematodes and other soil pests.

Good companions for onions include:

• Carrots: Onions repel carrot fly while carrots repel onion fly.
• Beets: Grow well together and maximize space usage.
• Lettuce: Onions protect lettuce from pests while utilizing vertical space.

Avoid planting:

• Garlic and onions near beans and peas, as they can stunt their growth.
• Potatoes near tomatoes, peppers, or eggplants, as they are in the same family and share diseases.
• Potatoes near sunflowers, which can inhibit potato growth.

Seasonal calendar

Garlic:

• September-November: Plant cloves in fall (adjust earlier for colder regions, later for warmer zones)
• March-April: Resume growth, apply light fertilizer
• May-June: Remove scapes from hardneck varieties
• June-July: Reduce watering as leaves begin to yellow
• July-August: Harvest when lower third of leaves have yellowed
• August: Cure for 2-3 weeks in warm, dry location

Potatoes:

• February-March: Chit (pre-sprout) seed potatoes indoors
• March-May: Plant (earlier in warm regions, later in cold areas)
• May-June: Hill plants as they grow, side-dress with compost
• June-July: Harvest new potatoes if desired
• July-September: Harvest main crop when vines die back
• August: Plant fall crop in warm regions

Onions:

• January-February: Start seeds indoors (if growing from seed)
• March-April: Plant sets or transplant seedlings
• April-June: Fertilize every few weeks until bulbing begins
• July-August: Reduce watering as tops begin to fall over
• August-September: Harvest when tops fall over and begin to dry
• September: Cure for 2-3 weeks, then store

Problems & solutions

Common questions about growing These 3 Veggies Practically Planted Themselves So Easy

Can I plant grocery store garlic, potatoes, or onions?

While possible, it’s not recommended. Grocery store vegetables are often treated with sprout inhibitors and may carry diseases. Seed garlic, certified seed potatoes, and onion sets from garden centers are disease-free and selected for growing success in home gardens.

How many potatoes will I get from one seed potato?

A single seed potato piece can produce 5-10 new potatoes, depending on variety and growing conditions. One pound (0.45 kg) of seed potatoes typically yields 10-15 pounds (4.5-6.8 kg) of harvested potatoes.

Can I grow these vegetables in containers?

Yes, all three grow well in containers. Use containers at least 40-50 cm (16-20 inches) deep for potatoes, and 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) deep for garlic and onions. Ensure excellent drainage and regular watering, as containers dry out faster than garden soil.

When is the right time to harvest?

Harvest garlic and onions when the lower third to half of the leaves have yellowed and begun to dry. For potatoes, harvest new potatoes when plants flower, or wait until vines die back completely for mature storage potatoes.

How do I store these vegetables for long-term use?

After proper curing (2-3 weeks in a warm, dry place for garlic and onions), store in cool, dry conditions. Garlic and onions keep best at 13-18°C (55-65°F) with good air circulation. Store potatoes in darkness at 7-10°C (45-50°F) with moderate humidity.

Can I save my own seed for next year?

Absolutely! Set aside the largest, healthiest garlic bulbs and onions for replanting. For potatoes, you can save small to medium-sized tubers, but be aware that potatoes can accumulate diseases over generations, so purchasing fresh seed potatoes every few years is advisable.

Why did my onions bolt instead of forming bulbs?

Onions bolt due to temperature fluctuations, improper day-length variety for your region, or stress. Choose day-length appropriate varieties (short-day for southern regions, long-day for northern areas), plant at the right time, and maintain consistent care to prevent bolting.