How to plant onions correctly: preparation of sets, planting technology and further care

Currently, several dozen varieties of onions are known; we will talk about some of them that are widespread in our country below. You will learn how to plant onions and when to do it in the spring of 2022 (for seedlings and in the ground).

Several options for growing this crop are practiced:

1. Onion sets are small onions purchased from breeding companies or grown independently. The harvest with this method is achieved in the current season.
2. From seeds (nigella onions), first the sets are grown and then the onion itself. In this case, if special tricks are not used, the harvest can only be obtained for the next season .
3. Some varieties of onions, for example, leeks and exhibitions, are grown in seedlings. This way they get a harvest this season.

Soil requirements

When planting onions, you should take into account the rules of crop rotation.

More about after what you can plant onions and what to plant after them.

The following crops are good predecessors of onions (see table).

The use of grain green manure, such as oats, is very useful. Grown after harvesting the main previous crop, mowed and plowed into the soil, they are heated:

• significantly improves soil structure,
• at the same time enrich it with nutrients,
• cleanse from pathogenic spores of harmful fungi and pathogenic bacteria.

Protection from diseases and pests, bolting

The first protection of onion plantings from bolting, diseases and pests is carried out at the stage of preparation for planting. The sets are soaked in hot water with growth stimulants and bactericidal agents. To protect against freezing and onion flies in the early stages of crop development, the bed should be covered with a non-woven covering material. It can be removed only after the seedlings have reached a height of 5–7 cm. Immediately after removing the covering material, you need to sprinkle the bed with salt and spray it with an insecticidal agent.

Watch how onions are planted in the spring in the video, which illustrates the main stages of agricultural technology:

Soil preparation

The soil for planting onions should not be acidic, as this will make it difficult for the plant to absorb nutrients and make it less resistant to such a common disease as downy mildew.

This crop loves moderately moist soil, but if there is a close influx of groundwater, its yield may be greatly reduced.

• It is advisable in the fall to dig up the area for onions to a depth of 20 centimeters and add peat manure compost or rotted manure to it.
• If the goal is to grow onions for turnips, then you need to add phosphorus and potassium fertilizers.
• To eliminate excessive acidity of the soil, wood ash or ground limestone is added to it.

Preparation and formation of beds

Begin preparing the soil for spring planting onions in the fall. This agricultural technique will help disinfect the soil. Fertilizers will be evenly distributed as the snow melts and will not damage the delicate roots of the onion set at the beginning of its growth.

Soil preparation

Apply fertilizers to the soil at the rate of 2/3 of the norm and 1/3 in the spring. Give preference to a mixture of humus and rotted manure (5-6 kg per 1 sq. m.) or use mineral fertilizers: per 1 sq. m. m 20 g superphosphate, 15 g potassium chloride, 10 g urea.

If the soil is acidic, add wood ash (0.5 kg per 1 sq. m).

Dig up the soil onto the bayonet of the shovel. Make beds, but do not level their surface. This way the ground will freeze more, and many pathogenic organisms will die. On heavily contaminated soils, this method of disease control is not enough.

Tilling the land before planting

Disinfect the soil in one of two ways:

1. Prepare a solution of copper sulfate at the rate of 1 tbsp. l per 10 liters of water and pour it over the soil (2 liters per 1 sq. m.). It is possible to treat the soil in one area in this way only once every 5 years, since copper sulfate in high concentrations becomes toxic.
2. Spill the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate (at the rate of 3 g per 1 liter of water).

Loosen the soil at least 10 cm, level and compact the surface of the bed.

Important! If the site is in a lowland, make high beds to prevent the onion heads from rotting.

When to plant onions - optimal timing

It makes sense to plant onions only in heated soil, when its temperature at a depth of 5...8 centimeters reaches a value of about 12 degrees. At lower temperatures, the plant will not develop normally (it will go into arrows, etc.).

Warming up to the specified temperature in different regions of the country occurs at different times, sometimes differing greatly from year to year.

Based on the results of many years of observations, it is possible to preliminarily outline periods when it would be advisable to plant onion sets in open ground:

Planting in a greenhouse can be done on average 2…3 weeks earlier than the given dates.

You can follow folk signs and plant onions in the ground when the bird cherry tree begins to bloom.

They also focus on the beginning of flowering of coltsfoot: plant on the 23rd day after the plant begins to flower.

Landing dates according to the lunar calendar 2022

Bow on feather:

• January: 10-12, 25-27, 29-31
• February: 3, 4-9, 12-14, 21-23, 25-27
• March: 3-17, 20-31
• April: 3-10, 21, 22, 25-30
• May: 2-7, 14, 15, 17-27
• June: 1-3, 6-10, 19-21
• July: 8-11, 16-18, 20-27, 30, 31
• August: 4-6
• September: -
• October: -
• November: 12-14, 19-23, 26-30
• December: 1-6, 19-21

Onions for turnips:

• January: 25-27, 29-31
• February: 4-9, 12-14, 21-27
• March: 6-8, 11-13, 20-31
• April: 3-5, 7-10, 17-22, 25-30
• May: 2, 5-7, 10-12, 17-25, 27-29
• June: 1-3, 6-8, 15-17, 23-26
• July: -
• August: 8-10, 13, 14, 22-24, 29-31
• September: 5-7, 23-25, 28-30
• October: 2-4, 8-12, 15-18, 20-22, 27-31
• November: 3, 4, 12-14, 21, 23
• December: 2-4

When planting, it is important to let the soil warm up to 12ºC

In 2022, unfavorable days fall on the following dates:

• January – 2, 3, 17, 18
• February – 1, 2, 16, 28
• March – 1, 2, 18, 27, 28
• April – 1, 2, 16, 23
• May – 1, 16, 30
• June -14, 18, 29
• July – 13, 14, 28, 29
• August – 11, 12, 27-28
• September: 9-10, 26, 27
• October: 9, 10, 25, 26
• November: 1, 2, 7-9, 24, 25, 28, 29
• December: 7-9, 23-25

When to plant Exhibition onions? This onion variety has become popular relatively recently. It is grown by seedlings.

• for seedling development – ​​about 2 months,
• after planting in the ground until harvest - about 2.5 months.

Seeds are sown in late February - early March.

When to plant leeks in 2022

In the southern regions, leeks can be sown as seedlings as early as the end of January.

When to plant seedlings, plant them in the ground:

• January: 10-12, 25-27, 29-31
• February: 3, 4-9, 12-14, 21-23, 25-27
• March: 3-17, 20-31
• April: 3-10, 21, 22, 25-30
• May: 2-7, 14, 15, 17-27
• June: 1-3, 6-10, 19-21
• July: 8-11, 16-18, 20-27, 30, 31
• August: 4-6
• September: -
• October: -
• November: 12-14, 19-23, 26-30
• December: 1-6, 19-21

In leeks, unlike onions, the feathers that grow from the seeds do not break when lodging, and therefore they can be sown early for seedlings.

When and how to plant leeks in open ground Growing leeks from seeds

When to plant onions in 2022

Sowing seeds for seedlings and in the ground:

• January: 10-12, 25-27, 29-31
• February: 3, 4-9, 12-14, 21-23, 25-27
• March: 3-17, 20-31
• April: 3-10, 21, 22, 25-30
• May: 2-7, 14, 15, 17-27
• June: 1-3, 6-10, 19-21
• July: 8-11, 16-18, 20-27, 30, 31
• August: 4-6
• September: -
• October: -
• November: 12-14, 19-23, 26-30
• December: 1-6, 19-21

These dates are advisory in nature and may have to be clarified by the beginning of the planting season due to weather deviations from forecast predictions.

When to Plant Shallots

Like other varieties of onions, shallots are grown from seeds or bulbs.

The bulbs are planted to a depth of 5 cm:

• middle zone and north: late April – early May,
• south - at the end of October.

Shallot (Ascalonian onion)

Features of cultivation and care

Caring for onions is easy. By following the basic growing rules, you will get a good harvest.

Watering mode

When watering, focus on soil moisture. Use warm water.

After planting, water the seedlings every 2-3 days. During the active phase of feather growth, irrigate 1-2 times a week, depending on the weather.

Reduce watering to once every 2.5 weeks when lodging of the tops begins. This means that growth processes move from the feather to the bulb. Excessive moisture will slow down the ripening process.

When the feathers begin to yellow, stop watering.

Loosening the soil and weeding

Good soil aeration is important for onions, so loosen and weed regularly. It is advisable to do this after each watering. Avoid the formation of an earthen crust that impedes air exchange.

Weeds with high soil moisture and cold weather will provoke the development of fungal and bacterial diseases.

Top dressing

Apply fertilizing 2-3 times per season depending on soil fertility.

Apply nitrogen-containing organic or mineral fertilizers to the onion beds for the first time, approximately 10-15 days after planting:

1. Leave the manure solution (in a ratio of 1:10) for 10 days, then dilute it another 10 times.
2. Dilute the infusion of bird droppings (in a ratio of 1:25) aged 2 weeks 5 times. Use solutions at the rate of 3 liters per 1 sq. m.
3. For mineral fertilizers, use a composition of 10-12 g of urea, 40 g of phosphorus and 20 g of potassium per 10 liters of water.

If the feather is a rich green color, thick, strong, you don’t need to fertilize it.

The second and third time, apply only potassium-phosphorus fertilizers.

Pest and disease control

To prevent diseases, treat plants and soil with biological products (Fitosporin, Trichodermin, Planriz) . Determine the concentration and dosage according to the instructions.

Carry out treatments at least 3-5 times during the growing season in the morning.

Treat the beds with a solution of 5-8 g of laundry soap and 15-20 g of copper sulfate, diluted in 10 liters of water.

When pests appear, use insecticides (Bitoxibacillin, Actofit, Fitoverm).

How to plant onions correctly

Onions are the most common in our country and are most often grown using sets. Here are the basic rules for planting onions in open ground and for seedlings.

Preparation of planting material

First of all, the sets are sorted by size.

• up to 1 cm - planted early, does not bolt;
• 1-2 cm is the best for planting, plant later;
• from 2 cm - most often planted on a feather.

Before planting, it is advisable to warm up the seedlings in order to activate internal processes in it. If it has been at room temperature for a long time (15 or more days), then it will be enough to keep it for 8...10 hours at a temperature of 30...40 degrees.

This will not only “wake up” the set, but will also significantly prevent its possible bolting.

Soaking, hardening, disinfection

More information about processing onions before planting.

1. For 15 minutes in water at a temperature of 40-50ºC.
2. For 15 minutes in cool water.
3. Preferably - 5 hours in a solution of mineral fertilizer.
4. For 2-3 hours, disinfection in a saline solution (1 tbsp per liter) is indicated - against onion flies and mites.
5. For 2 hours in a solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) - against fungal spores.

Important! After each stage of disinfection, it is necessary to rinse the bulbs with running water.

How to plant onion sets

We have already talked about preparing the soil above, now let’s move on to planting.

The distance between planting holes is selected depending on the size of the seed:

• if the sets are large (up to 20 mm), then place them 8…10 cm from each other,
• smaller sets - the distance decreases (at least 5 cm).

Planting is done in moist soil; the “hatched” sprout from the head should be directed upward and not be covered with soil.

The sown area should be well lit and ventilated.

Approximately the same scheme is used to grow a close “relative” of onions – shallots.

After 3 weeks, feed the onions with mullein solution or nettle infusion.

In the first months after planting, the seedlings should be watered 1-2 times a week (if it does not rain). In mid-summer, when the bulbs are already ripening, water less.

Useful video about planting onions

Tips for choosing planting material, processing it and planting it in the ground.

You can also grow onions from their seeds. They are black in color and therefore are often called “chernushka”. It’s easier to do this in two stages: in the first season, grow the sets, and then the onion itself.

How to plant onions for seedlings

However, recently growing onions through seedlings has become increasingly widespread. This is more difficult to achieve, since it is necessary to grow very good, hardened and strong seedlings that can successfully “survive” transplantation.

However, this method is economically very attractive - it allows you to get a full harvest of onions from seeds in just one season and without wasting effort on growing and saving the sets.

This method has been successfully tested on such well-known and productive varieties as Exhibition, Stuttgarter Risen, Red Baron, Annual Siberian, etc. In addition, leeks are grown as seedlings.

Schematically, this process might look like this:

1. In mid-February, the seeds are disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate, then sent to warm water for a day.
2. Compacted soil is prepared for seedlings, sprouted seeds are poured on top and covered with a thin (about half a centimeter) layer of loose soil. The entire initial growing process takes place in a warm room.
3. Somewhere by mid-May, the seedlings will get stronger and can be planted in a permanent place.

Replanting must be done carefully, watering the soil abundantly (until it becomes muddy). In this case, the roots will be less damaged and heal faster.

Only through seedlings in our climatic conditions can we grow very useful leeks, the growing season of which can reach 200 days. Another type of onion that provides good feather yield is the spring onion.

All the recommendations for spring planting dates outlined above apply to these listed varieties.

The best varieties for seedlings

To plant onions using the seedling method, you should choose varieties with an early or medium ripening period - from 90 to 100 days. And also pay attention to the recommendations on the packaging, namely for which region this variety is intended and then, accordingly, it will give a good harvest. When choosing material for seedlings, it is better to purchase low-germ seeds; they will help to grow a large head.

In one season

Seed varieties, domestic and foreign selection with ripening periods from 80 to 100 days:

• "Tsitaussky";
• "Shaman";
• "Exhibition";
• "Copra F1";
• "Skvirsky";
• "Myachkovsky 300";
• "Stuttgarter Riesen";
• "Carmen";
• "Cenaur";
• "Chalcedony";
• "Centaur";
• "Albion F1";
• "Odintsovets";
• "Annual Siberian";
• "Kaba";
• "October";
• "Mustang F1";
• "Red Baron";
• "Strigunovsky local";
• "Olina."

5 mistakes in growing onion seedlings

These varieties tolerate short-term frosts and are unpretentious to growing conditions.

In two seasons

Onion seeds for growing in two seasons, which have good immunity to diseases and are stored for a long time:

• "Globo";
• "Radar";
• "Rumba";
• "Shakespeare";
• "Kuban yellow";
• "Bamberger."

These varieties are popular among experienced gardeners due to their high yields and unpretentiousness.

Harvest

Winter onions begin to be harvested in mid-July, and spring onions in August, sometimes in September. You can determine the maturity of a plant by the feathers that bend and dry out. The greens are harvested throughout the season by carefully picking 1-2 large feathers from the bulb.

Leeks are harvested as late as possible and close to frost so that they can be stored longer. It is better to do this in dry weather. They dig it up, shake it off the ground, cut off the roots without damaging the bulb. The leaves are cut off, leaving five centimeters, wiped dry and sent for storage. Greens are also collected from it throughout the season, cutting off the lower leaves, which still break over time and interfere with neighboring plants.

When and how to harvest?

3-4 weeks before harvest, you need to stop watering the onions. This allows the head to acquire the required number of scales and dry out. You can harvest onions on a dry, warm day after the tops have completely fallen down. Moisture and rain will reduce shelf life.

Harvest storage method

To avoid damaging the head, you can remove it by digging into the ground. The harvest is laid out, dried, put into bags (wooden boxes, baskets) and placed in a dry and dark place. Store onions only in containers made of natural material; plastic boxes and plastic bags are not suitable for this. Storage temperature is 18-22 degrees above zero.

Throughout the winter, onions need to be sorted several times. Rotten heads are removed, the rest are folded for further storage.

Benefits and contraindications

Due to the high content of phytoncides in onions, it has a pronounced antibacterial effect. It also fights viruses, improves immunity, has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system, digestion, normalizes sleep and prevents cancer.

It is contraindicated for ulcerative and gastritis phenomena in the gastrointestinal tract. It can have an irritating effect on the nervous system, which in turn leads to various diseases. Therefore, it should be consumed in moderation. And the last important negative effect is bad breath after consumption, which is not so easy to remove.