Planting onions involves more than just putting seeds or sets into the soil; it’s a process that will benefit from an understanding of your soil, climate, and the lifecycle of these versatile vegetables. To ensure a successful onion harvest, consider the following tips and tricks!
Choosing the appropriate onion variety is the first step towards a successful harvest. Onions come in various types, including short-day, long-day, and day-neutral varieties, each tailored to specific climates. Short-day onions suit southern regions, long-day onions are ideal for the north, and day-neutral varieties provide flexibility for a broader range of climates.
Onions thrive in well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6.0 and 7.5. A soil test can help assess pH and nutrient levels, and amending the soil with organic matter like compost enhances fertility and structure. Well-drained soil is crucial to prevent waterlogged conditions, which can lead to rot and disease.
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Timing is key when planting onions. Aim to plant them as soon as the soil is workable in the spring, allowing for optimal development before the heat of summer. Raised beds are a a great option, promoting good drainage and preventing water accumulation around onion roots, ultimately safeguarding against rot.
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Proper spacing is crucial for healthy onion development, whether planting onion sets, transplants, or seeds. Following recommended spacing guidelines, typically 4-6 inches apart, allows for adequate bulb development. Mulching offers benefits such as retaining soil moisture and suppressing weeds, but it’s important not to bury the onion bulbs under the mulch.
Onions need consistent moisture throughout their growing season, especially during dry spells. Watering should be regular, avoiding both drought stress and overwatering, which can lead to root rot. Fertilize sparingly with a balanced fertilizer, as onions are considered light feeders, and excessive nitrogen can result in lush foliage at the expense of bulb development.
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Consider companion planting to maximize space and deter pests. Onions pair well with vegetables like carrots and lettuce, optimizing garden layout and utilizing natural pest repellents. Monitoring your onion plants throughout their growth is essential. Harvest when the tops start yellowing and falling over, signaling the end of the growing season. Cure the onions in a dry, well-ventilated area before storing them in a cool, dry place.
By following these tips and tricks, you’ll be well-equipped to cultivate a thriving onion patch in your garden. Each step, from soil preparation to harvest, plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of your onion crop. Read more about growing onions below from our friends at Territorial Seed Company.
Onion Growing Guide
with Territorial Seed Company
Soil Temp for Germination: 50-70° F
Days to Emergence: 6-16
Seed Depth: 1/8 – ½”
Thin Plants To: 2-7”
Seed Spacing: 2-4/inch
Row Spacing: 12-24”
Min Germ: 75%
Seed Life: 1 year
Seeds per ½ gram: ≈ 100
Fertilizer Needs: Medium
Days to maturity are calculated from date of direct seeding.
Culture
Onions are photoperiodic plants — they regulate their stages of growth by day length
- Onions will make top growth until the critical light duration is reached, then bulbing begins
- The amount of growth and development prior to bulbing will determine the bulb size
- Long-day varieties do well in northern states where summertime day length is between 14-16 hours
- Short-day varieties do well in southern states and bulb when day length is 10-12 hours; they won’t get very large in northern states
- Dividing line between short-day and long-day varieties is generally accepted as 36° latitude, roughly along the Kansas/Oklahoma border
- Day-neutral and intermediate-day varieties start bulbing when day length is 12-14 hours; can be successfully grown anywhere
- Onions prefer light, sandy, loamy soils
- Apply 1/4-1/2 cup of TSC’s Complete fertilizer per 5 row feet, 1-2 inches below transplant or seed
Direct Sowing
- Thin to the strongest plant when 4-5 inches
Transplanting
- Sow up to 10-12 seeds in a 4-6 inch pot
- If tops reach over 5 inches before transplant, cut to 3 inches
- When planting out carefully separate the seedlings and place in a shallow trench
- Fill trench around seedlings and water in well
- Tips for overwintering: Sow seed at the beginning of August. Once they are large enough, around mid-October, transplant into the garden. You can harvest green onions until April. In May they will begin to bulb and will be ready to harvest as dried down bulbs by mid to late-June.
Insects & Diseases
- Common insects: Onion thrips and maggots
- Insect control: Pyrethrin or Predatory Nematodes
- Common diseases: Fusarium basal rot, pink root
- Disease prevention: 5-7 year crop rotation
Harvest & Storage
- For scallions: harvest when pencil size or larger, wash and trim roots, store in a bag at 36°F and 95% relative humidity
- As bulbs approach maturity, withhold water so protective paper can form
- After about half the tops have fallen, push over the remainder; wait about 1 week then harvest
- Cure in a warm (75-80°F), shaded, well-ventilated location until outer skin and necks are dry, then trim tops, leaving one inch above the bulb
- Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area
- Check occasionally and immediately remove any sprouting or rotting onions
What is pelleted seed?
Seed that has been coated with a clay-based material to form a larger, round shape. This makes planting by hand or mechanical seeder easier and allows for more controlled sowing of small seeds such as carrots or lettuce. All pelleted seed has a National Organic Program (NOP) approved coating.
For best results, store pelleted seed in an air-tight container and use within one season.
We would love to see your garden growing, use #mywilcolife on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and tag Wilco Stores.
