The Right Time for Planting Onions
Onions begin to grow in cold weather, so they should be planted in the spring, except in areas with mild winters, where onions should be planted as a fall or winter crop. Onions form bulbs in cold weather, while the bulbs grow when the temperature rises. Additionally, onion seeds should be planted 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost.
It is recommended to plant onions immediately after tilling the soil in the spring, usually at the end of March or early April.
How to Plant Onions
Onions can be planted by following these steps:
- Choosing the Location:
- Choose a location that gets plenty of sunlight.
- Soil Preparation:
- Onions should be planted in dry soil at a depth of 20 to 25 cm.
- The soil should be cleared of rocks and debris.
- Planting Onions:
- Onions can be planted using seeds, onion sets, or seedlings.
- Onion sets should be planted 0.6 cm deep between October and December.
- Onion seeds should be spaced 2.5 cm apart.
- If using onion seedlings, plant them 1.9 cm deep and space them 7.6 cm apart.
- Fertilizing the Soil:
- To grow onions successfully, use good-quality fertilizer.
- Apply about 0.91 to 1.36 kg of fertilizer per 9.3 square meters of garden space.
- Watering the Crop:
- Water the onion crop once a week, especially in spring.
- In dry and windy conditions, the crop may require more water.
Tips for Growing Onions
- Care for the Crop:
- Regularly remove any weeds that may grow alongside the onions to ensure healthy growth and good-sized bulbs.
- Seed Selection:
- It is best to grow onions from seeds because there are many varieties to choose from. However, it should be noted that growing onions from seeds may take around four months until they mature.
- Ideal Growing Conditions:
- For optimal growth, onions should be grown in an area that receives full sunlight and in soil that drains well.
