One simple fertilizer at the beginning of the season protects the beds from diseases: Onion leaves no longer turn yellow

“Growing onions seems like a normal job, but it is this crop that most often presents unpleasant surprises: either the leaves turn yellow too early, or the heads stop growing before reaching the promised size.

 

Experienced gardeners know that the foundation for the future “fist-sized” harvest is laid in mid-April, when the soil becomes loose and suitable for the first works. The condition of the soil is important for onions. They do not tolerate stagnant water and heavy clay layers, which simply suffocate the root system. In such plots, it is necessary to add sand and high-quality humus. Just as white plaque in pots signals an excess of salts at home, in open beds, soil acidity manifests itself in slow bulb growth and poor winter storage.

Soil preparation and site selection

 

Onions are a light-loving crop, so the sunniest places are chosen for the beds. Ideally, if early tomato hybrids or cucumbers were previously grown here, which were abundantly fertilized with organic fertilizers. However, fresh manure cannot be used immediately before planting onions - this will cause excessive growth of greenery at the expense of the head and can provoke fungal diseases. The most important parameter is the acidity of the soil. If the soil is too acidic, the onions will turn yellow and get sick. Dolomite flour is used for neutralization, which not only improves the soil structure, but also enriches it with magnesium. In order to get a quick and high-quality harvest, it is best to prepare the bed a couple of weeks before planting the seedlings. “When preparing an onion bed, I always recommend paying attention to drainage. Onions are extremely sensitive to excess moisture in the root zone, which can cause rot even at the formation stage,” the soil scientist emphasized.

 

Planting subtleties for rapid growth

 

Many try to plant seedlings as deep as possible, fearing frost, but this is a mistake. Experienced gardeners follow the rule: the bulb must “breathe”. If its “shoulders” are slightly visible from under the ground, it warms up faster in the sun, grows more actively and eventually forms a much larger head. The optimal distance between the bulbs in a row is 10–12 cm - this ensures sufficient feeding area. Before planting, it is necessary to disinfect the seedlings in a weak solution of potassium permanganate or specialized fungicides. This protects the planting material from soil infections. It is important to remember that protecting the garden from pests begins precisely with such preventive measures that prevent onion flies.

 

Proper nutrition and protection against yellowing

 

Yellowing of leaves is the main complaint of gardeners. Most often, this is a signal of a lack of nitrogen or a pest attack. In the early stages, when fertilizing seedlings and the first shoots becomes a priority, it is effective to use calcium nitrate. It strengthens the plant's cell walls, making the leaves more resistant to mechanical damage and diseases. The balance of nutrients also requires phosphorus (for the development of a strong root system) and potassium (for bulb density). Unlike perennial garden plants that can grow in one place for several years, onions very quickly deplete the top layer of soil, so additional fertilizing in parts is necessary in the first half of summer. The condition of the soil is important for onions. They do not tolerate stagnant water and heavy clay layers.

“Onions are very sensitive to the balance of mineral substances. One of the main secrets of avoiding yellow tips is timely fertilization with nitrogen together with magnesium at the beginning of vegetation,” explained the agrochemist. Proven tips for a high yield There are simple methods that directly affect the final weight of the heads. Watering should be regular, but moderate - no "swamp". Each irrigation or rain should end with loosening the inter-rows. This breaks the soil crust and ensures oxygen access to the roots, without which the onions stop developing.

 

Auxiliary means for onion growth: Wood ash - replenishes the soil with potassium and reduces acidity Salt solution - helps repel onion flies Calcium nitrate - protects the leaves from yellowing.

 

2-3 weeks before the expected harvest, watering is completely stopped. This method forces the plant to direct all the juice from the leaves to the onion, making it strong and suitable for long-term storage. “Do not forget that onions require cleanliness around them – in our case, between the rows. Weeds not only take away food, but also create excess moisture, which provokes diseases,” said the garden care specialist.

 

Answers to popular questions about onions: Why do onions release peduncles?

 

The main reason is improper storage of seedlings in winter (too low or fluctuating temperatures). Also, the formation of peduncles is promoted by planting in too cold soil or sudden frosts after the seedlings appear. What to do if an onion fly appears? Watering with a saline solution (1 glass per 10 l of water) under the roots helps, trying not to get it on the leaves or between the rows sprinkling with a mixture of tobacco dust and ash. It is also useful to plant carrots nearby - their smell repels onion pests. Soil condition is important for onions. They do not tolerate stagnant water and heavy clay layers.

Soil condition is important for onions. They do not tolerate stagnant water and heavy clay layers. 123 rf photo. How to understand that it is time to harvest onions? The main sign is the mass lodging of leaves and the drying of the onion neck. If about 70% of the greenery has lodged, it is time to start harvesting in dry weather to avoid rotting during drying.”