Plant and be disappointed: one little secret changes the entire onion harvest

“Onions are a cool-season crop that can be planted even before winter. Onions are biennials: they form leaves in their first year of growth, and flowers and seeds in their second. However, onions are usually grown as annuals, and the bulbs are harvested before they bloom and form seeds. The website “Southern Living” tells about the best conditions for growing onions.

 

What conditions do onions need?

 

To get the maximum yield, onions need full sunlight - at least 6 hours a day. They need constantly moist, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Loamy soil, rich in organic matter, is best, although onions also tolerate sandy and clay soil. Sandy soils require more fertilizer and more frequent watering to maintain moisture, while clay soils tend to produce onions with a more pungent flavor. Both types of soil can be improved with well-rotted organic matter. Onions have shallow root systems, so they need consistent watering.

 

Plants need 2.5 cm of rainfall or weekly irrigation, ideally by drip or furrow irrigation. Young, rooting plants and those planted in sandy soils need watering more often than once a week. Stop watering when the leaves of the plants begin to turn, which is a sign that the onions are ready to harvest.

 

Although onions can tolerate moderate frosts, beds should be covered in cold weather if temperatures drop to -1 °C or below.

 

How to fertilize onions?

 

These plants need a lot of nitrogen. Before planting, incorporate a balanced fertilizer into the soil along the intended planting line. 2-3 weeks after planting, apply a nitrogen fertilizer about 15 cm from the plants. In alkaline soils, use ammonium sulfate, and in acidic soils, calcium nitrate, at the rate of 1 cup per 6 meters of row. Repeat this every 2-3 weeks until heads begin to form. Water after each application.

 

Growing Onions

 

Onions can be grown from seed, seedlings, or small, immature bulbs called “seedlings.” Planting time depends on the method you choose. In northern regions, work begins in the spring for a late summer or fall harvest. Southern gardeners can start in the fall or late winter for an early summer harvest.

 

Growing from seed is the most economical method, as it allows for a wide variety of varieties to choose from. However, it is also the most difficult method due to uneven germination. For a consistent harvest, sow seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before transplanting. Sow seeds directly into the garden in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked.

 

Growing seedlings is very easy, but they can be prone to early flower stalks. When preparing the bed, amend it with fertilizer and, if necessary, organic matter. Planting in raised beds helps improve drainage in heavy soil.

 

Plant seedlings 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) deep, with rows 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm) apart.

 

Water thoroughly and weed regularly but carefully. As the onions mature, their leaves will begin to turn to the ground. Harvest when half to three-quarters of the leaves have wilted. Use a fork to lift the onions and lift them out of the soil. Before storage, they must be dried - keep in a warm, well-ventilated place for 2-4 weeks. After the outer layers have dried and the neck has hardened, the leaves can be cut. Store in a cool, dry place, protected from freezing.

 

Diseases and pests

 

Although onions are easy to grow, they can be attacked by pests. It is important to observe crop rotation and plant them in a different place every year. The most common pests are thrips and onion fly larvae. Thrips feed on leaves, which is why they become silvery with spots. Keeping the plot clean helps to avoid them. The larvae damage the roots and bulbs, which is why they rot during storage. Onion flies are attracted to undecayed organic matter, so do not use fresh manure - only well-rotted compost is suitable.

 

Common problems

 

The main problem is premature flowering (flowering). When this happens, all the energy is spent on reproduction, and the head stops growing. Such onions are best consumed as green leaves. Flower stalks usually appear due to temperature fluctuations: a sudden cold snap after a warm period or extreme heat after a cool spring. Onions are a grateful crop. They take up little space, suitable for almost any part of the garden or even in flower beds.”