Onions: planting and care, harvesting and storage

The best varieties of onions

Planting a crop begins with selecting seeds. To get onions with excellent taste, resistance to pests and the ability to be stored for a long time, you need to focus on the best plant varieties.

TOP 10 best varieties of onions:

Yucont. This is an early ripening variety of purple onion that can be grown either from seeds or sets. The vegetable gains ripeness 90 days after planting using the first method and 60-70 days after seeding the soil. The average weight of the fruit is 100 g, the germination rate of the plant is excellent, equal to 95%. The onion tastes sharp.
Carmen. It is recommended to plant this early-ripening white onion variety with sets. It takes about 70-90 days until the harvest is fully ripe. The fruits are round in shape, with an average weight of 70 g. From 10 sq. m you can harvest about 17 kg of crop.
Read also: Characteristics and description of low-growing varieties of pepper
Snowball. An early-ripening variety of white onions that bears fleshy fruits with a semi-sharp, pleasant taste. The average weight of a vegetable is 100 g. The plant ripens in 65-80 days. The harvest is perfectly stored; during growth, the onion rarely goes into the shoot.
Strigunovsky local. An early variety of onion with brown scales and light flesh. Its undoubted advantage is its ability to produce high yields in both hot and cool climates. The taste of the fruits is excellent. The average weight of the bulb is 50-80 g.
Red Baron. The fruits ripen early, the flesh has a purple tint and a semi-sharp taste, and the onion peel is red. To get maximum yield, it is recommended to grow the plant using the seedling method. This will allow you to collect large onions weighing up to 150 g.
Setton. A mid-season variety that can be stored for a long time and has excellent taste properties. Setton produces a magnificent harvest. Under favorable conditions from 10 sq. m you can collect up to 50 kg of onions. The average weight of the vegetable is 150 g. The husk is yellow in color, and the pulp is creamy. Harvest 3 months after planting.
Aleko. The variety is classified as mid-season. The harvest is harvested 100 days after planting. The fruits do not grow very large, their weight does not exceed 60 g. The color of the pulp is purple and the taste is rich. Regardless of the planting method, the yield remains consistently high and amounts to 94%. From 10 sq. m you can collect almost 20 kg of vegetables.
Kaba. Late-ripening variety with light flesh and semi-sharp taste. The maximum bulb size is 150 g. It is preferable to grow this variety with seeds. Its disadvantage is low resistance to powdery mildew and onion fly.
Farmer. This late-ripening variety is chosen for long-term storage. The harvest can be expected no earlier than 130 days after planting the seeds. The bulbs grow massive. The weight of one fruit can reach 250-350 g. The pulp is white, with a characteristic crunch and pungent taste, the scales are brown, with a golden tint. The plant is resistant to attacks by fungal microorganisms.
Globo. A late-ripening variety that produces high yields. The recommended planting method is seedlings. Onions require additional mineral supplementation. Since seedlings begin to be grown in March, it is necessary to provide the onions with sufficient lighting. The pulp of the fruit is juicy, the smell is delicate.

It is recommended to plant several varieties of onions on the site at once. This rule is especially relevant when using new plant hybrids.

Variety of onions

Onions, in relation to the length of the photoperiod, are divided into 2 large groups:

a group of varieties of the northern direction. They develop normally and form vegetative (bulbs) and generative (nigella seeds) crops only when the daylight hours are 15-18 hours per day. Northern varieties, in short daylight conditions, only have time to grow green feathers, and do not form bulbs at all.
Varieties from the southern regions form a normal harvest with short daylight hours - 12 hours a day. When the photoperiod lengthens in southern varieties, the bulbs do not ripen and are poorly stored.
Today, breeders have developed varieties that do not react so painfully to the length of daylight hours and grow and develop normally in the north and south, under other optimal conditions.

Based on taste, onions are divided into 3 groups:

spicy,
semi-sharp,
sweet or salad.

The specific pungency or bitterness of onions is given by essential oils, or rather, the ratio between sugars and essential oils. The less sugar, the less essential oils, which means the less pungency of the onion bulb and leaves (feather). Today, breeders offer varieties without bitterness, the so-called sweet salad varieties.

Onions from sets to large onions. © Susy Morris

Soil requirements

Onions are not a very demanding plant, but only when optimal conditions are created will it be possible to achieve high yields. One of the requirements is the correct soil.

Onions can grow on sandy and loamy soils. Seeds do not do well in clay soil, as it is too dense for them. To cope with the problem, you need to add sand to the garden bed.

An important parameter for obtaining a good harvest is soil acidity. Optimal values are pH in the range of 6.4-7.9. Acidic soil needs to be alkalized. This is done using slaked lime, chalk or dolomite flour.

If the seeds are planted in loamy soil, the fruits will grow tasty. High yields can be obtained on sandy loam lands.

A lack of moisture in the soil has a negative effect on crop yields. In such conditions, plants grow poorly and the fruits are small. It is necessary to actively moisten the soil early in the development of the crop, as well as during the formation of fruits. After they ripen, watering is reduced. It is important not to overdo it with water, as its excess will prolong the growth period. Bulbs are poorly stored and are more often exposed to various diseases.

The site should be chosen so that it receives as much sunlight as possible. The crop, regardless of the chosen variety, does not develop well in the shade.

The optimal soil is the one on which the following plants were previously grown:

cucumbers;
zucchini;
tomatoes;
legumes;
potato.

Any other greens are considered an excellent neighbor for onions: dill, lettuce, parsley. The crop is “friendly” with beets and carrots. Onions do not extract all resources from the soil, so next year you can plant other light-loving plants in the same area.

Soil selection and preparation

Light, crumbly soil with good air and moisture permeability properties is best suited for growing onions.

For high yields, you need to monitor not only the structure, but also the acidity of the soil - it must be neutral. With increased soil acidity, the absorption of nutrients worsens, increasing the risk of developing downy mildew and other diseases. If the soil is acidic, it must be deacidified in advance using lime, chalk, dolomite flour or wood ash (300-400 g per 1 sq. m).

The selected area must be prepared for planting onions. This is done in the fall - the soil should be dug up to the depth of a spade bayonet while adding rotted manure. It is not recommended to use fresh manure, as it provokes increased growth only of the above-ground part of the onion.

Landing dates

Most gardeners plant onions in open ground in May. At this time, the soil has sufficient moisture. Such conditions are considered optimal for the fastest growth of bulbs. The exact timing depends on the climatic conditions prevailing in a particular area.

Be sure to pay attention to the weather on the day of the planned landing. If it’s cool outside and the air is saturated with moisture, then it’s better to wait a while before adding seeds to the soil. The soil temperature should be no lower than 12-15 degrees. Planting a plant in cold soil will lead to a poor harvest and an abundance of shoots.

Many gardeners rely not only on weather conditions, but also on the lunar calendar. The dates in it vary depending on the year.

In winter, onions are planted in October or early November. It is important that there is a month left before the onset of serious frosts. For example, in the Urals, winter plants are planted at the end of September, and in the south - in mid-November. From the moment of planting until the plant takes root, about 14 days pass. The optimal air temperature is 5 degrees. Even if after adding seeds to the soil a feather 1 or 2 cm in size appears, there is no need to worry. Such plants tolerate winter well.

Biological features of onions

Onion is a one-, two-, and three-year-old plant. In the first year, from the seeds (nigella) of onions, onion sets or arbage are obtained - small onions 1-2 cm in diameter with a weight of 2-5 grams. In the 2nd year, a large onion (uterus) is obtained from the set. Mother bulbs are a commercial onion. In the third year, when the queen is planted, onion seeds are obtained, which are called nigella for their color.

In the southern regions, onion seeds can also be obtained by growing them for two years: in the first year, a large onion-uterus is obtained, and in the second year, a testicle is formed on a high straight peduncle in the form of capitate round inflorescences.

Methods of planting in open ground

Onions are planted in open ground in three ways:

seeds;
seedlings;
sevcom

Each method has certain features that must be taken into account to obtain a good harvest.

Seeds

Before adding seeds to the soil, you need to make sure they germinate. To do this, place several seeds in a damp cloth and put them in a warm place. If sprouts appear after a few days, you can start adding them to the soil.

Seeds purchased in the store do not require additional processing. If they were grown independently, they are additionally disinfected with fungicides. A weak solution of potassium permanganate has good antiseptic properties. The seeds are soaked in it for 24 hours. To increase germination, they are kept in hot water for half an hour and in aloe juice for another 30 minutes. After this treatment, the seeds are placed in a fabric bag for 3-4 days and immersed in water for 1.5 days. During this time, the fluid must be changed at least 3 times.

The prepared seeds are poured onto a damp cloth, covering them with a second layer of cloth. After 2 days they will begin to sprout, after which you can begin planting.

The seeds are introduced into the soil using a belt method, the ground is first loosened. The distance between the seeds should be at least 1.5 cm. The grooves must be compacted, removing any remaining air. Mulch the soil with peat, and then water it carefully so as not to wash out the bed. To create optimal conditions for seed germination, the bed is covered with polyethylene. Remove the film after emergence.

Seedlings

Seedlings are sown in March or at the end of February. Features of its processing before application to open soil:

disinfection of seeds with potassium permanganate;
activation in boiled water;
planting seeds in boxes;
seedling care: regular watering and fertilizing, fertilizers are applied 2 weeks after germination.

Plants can be planted in open ground after they have at least 3 leaves. To ensure that the bulbs come out of the boxes easily, they need to be filled with water. Remove the seedlings from the primary soil carefully so as not to damage future root crops. If there are roots longer than 4 cm, they are cut off.

Step-by-step instructions for planting onion seedlings in open beds:

The bed is watered with hot water, leveled and covered with polyethylene.
After 3 days, furrows are made in the prepared soil. The distance between the rows should be at least 20 cm. If the fruits are large, then the gap is increased to 3 cm.
Seedlings are introduced into the holes every 10 cm.
The plant is deepened into the soil by 2.5 cm. To remove voids, the soil is pressed around the roots.
To prevent the onion from being spoiled by frost, cover it with suitable material at night.
During the first days, you need to water the onions regularly, every 2 days.
After 3 days, the soil is loosened. Perform manipulations as carefully as possible so as not to damage the root system of the plant.

If all conditions are met, the seedlings will quickly grow.

Onion sets

Before planting seedlings in open soil, you need to properly prepare it. To do this, perform the following steps:

soak the sets in a weak solution of potassium permanganate;
dry the bulbs at a temperature of 20 degrees, drying time is 20 minutes;
warm up the seedlings for 10 hours at a temperature of 40 degrees;
If desired, the seeds are treated with a growth stimulant.

The sets are planted in even rows, the distance between them should be 25 cm. The bulbs are brought into the ground to a depth of 4 cm. The distance of the seeds from each other is equal to 5-10 cm. It can be increased if an onion variety with large root crops is planted. When all the seedlings are in the garden bed, they are mulched with peat. If planted correctly, seedlings can be expected within 10 days.

Which variety should I choose?

When choosing a variety of spicy vegetable, you need to consider some characteristics.

According to the ripening period, early (the bulb is formed in approximately 92 days), medium (the development period lasts about 110 days) and late (ripening occurs in 120 days) onion varieties are distinguished. Some bulbs are grown for greens, others are intended for growing turnips.
The size of the fruit can be from 50 g to 350 g.
According to their taste, there are spicy, semi-sharp and sweet varieties of the vegetable.

Cultivation care

After completing the planting work, it is necessary to properly care for the onions. To do this, the soil is regularly weeded to remove weeds, the plant is watered, fed, and thinned out if necessary.

If the soil is moist, then the first full watering is carried out after 2 weeks. When it is dry, water is added sooner than after 10 days. The soil should remain moist and loose. This is very important at the initial stage of onion growth. The frequency of watering depends on the amount of seasonal rains. In June, watering is stopped.

Thinning must be carried out when planting onions with seeds or when applying sets in bunches. It is important to perform these manipulations on time before the plant has more than 4 leaves. If you thin out the crop later, the harvest will be small.

During the growing season, 2 feedings are performed. Fertilizers are applied for the first time in May, using organic matter. The second time feeding is carried out in mid-June. Potassium phosphate compounds are better suited for this purpose.

Onions love organic fertilizers. They are necessarily used on soils with insufficient fertility, but experienced gardeners do not recommend adding fresh manure to the soil.

How to plant onions correctly so that there are large bulbs

Onions do not like clay soil. If you have this kind of soil on your site, add peat or sand to the bed. The soil should be neutral or slightly alkaline in acidity. Acidic soil is deoxidized with dolomite flour in the fall. To grow vegetables, choose a sunny place, but such that the sun shines on it all day. Infrared rays promote the ovary of a larger fruit.

Prepare the bed in advance: dig up the soil, adding humus, compost, and rotted manure. Don't forget about wood ash, onions love it very much. Ash is added to the soil when digging, or when planting, dipping the wet bulb into a dry and sifted substrate.

When planting vegetables with turnips (heads), leave enough distance between the bulbs so that they grow large. Onions are planted in rows, the distance between them is approximately 15 cm. In a row, the distance between the bulbs is 10-15 cm. The onion is stuck into the ground shallowly, bottom down, slightly pressing so that the tail of the onion is visible. If desired, the bulbs can be lightly covered with soil, but this is not necessary.

Sometimes all efforts come to nothing when the bulbs are attacked by the onion fly. Plant carrots next to the onion bed. A carrot fly will repel an onion fly and vice versa.

Diseases and pests

Onions are susceptible to various diseases and are attacked by pests that can completely destroy the crop. To prevent this from happening, the fight against them must begin as early as possible.

The most common diseases and pests of onions:

Powdery mildew . Rainy summers contribute to its spread. The fungus causes the plant to lose its viability. To combat infection, the beds are treated with special products such as Baikal EM. Seedlings are disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate. To reduce the likelihood of the disease spreading, you need to leave enough space between the seeds. If it has already affected the plants, then use such means of control as Fitosporin, Trichodermin, Phytocid M. At the early stage of development of powdery mildew, you can cope with it using a decoction of garlic. To prepare it, 600 g of plant heads are boiled in 10 liters of water for 3 hours. The finished composition is diluted and the beds are treated with it for a week.
Gray rot . The disease affects the cervical part of the plant and negatively affects the shelf life of the crop. To prevent it, in June, onions are sprayed with fungicides from the triazole class.
Rust . Affects onion leaves. To combat the disease, it is sprayed with compounds containing copper oxychloride. After processing, the leaves become unsuitable for food.
Onion fly . This pest causes the plant to stop growing, turn yellow and die. Insect larvae eat the bulb from the inside. To combat parasites, folk remedies with a distinct odor are used. Ammonia and ammonia have proven themselves well. To prepare the composition, 3 tablespoons of the selected product are diluted in 10 liters of water. Gently water the plants with this solution, without getting it on the leaves.

Pests and diseases do not always affect onions. Sometimes the crop remains absolutely healthy throughout the entire growth period. This means that all planting and care rules were followed.

How to plant a bow correctly so that it doesn’t shoot

The main reason for bow shooting is improper storage and, in particular, storage in cold conditions. Of course, it can be stored at a temperature of +3-4ºС. But then, before planting, if you decide to warm up the onions, do not immediately put them out of the cold room to warm them up. Most likely, such an onion in the garden will go to waste.

To prevent this from happening, bring the bulbs from a cold room and let them get used to the warmer room a little. Take your time to warm it up. Let him first lie in the apartment in a dry place for a day or two, and only then send him to warm up at a temperature of +40-45ºС.

Harvest and storage

Onion harvesting begins in August or September. The maturity of the plant is indicated by yellowed leaves, which are held on a thin neck. The color of the husk becomes bright and rich. You need to dig the heads out of the ground in dry, sunny weather.

Plants are easily removed from loose soil by hand. Heavy soil is dug up with a pitchfork or shovel. After removing the heads, you need to clean them from the ground by hand. Choose a sunny place for drying. The bulbs are laid out in rows, with all the leaves facing one way. The harvest is placed on cloth and not left on the ground.

It is convenient to dry onions in bunches by tying their leaves and hanging them in a draft. The average drying time is 14 days.

Before storing onions, you need to carefully examine them, weeding out defective heads. The roots are trimmed without damaging the bottom of the plant. The harvest is placed in baskets or boxes that allow air to pass through. Do not use plastic bags. Optimal conditions for storing onions:

air temperature – from -3 to -1 degrees;
air humidity – 70-80%.

From time to time, the plants need to be sorted out, sorting out spoiled fruits.

To learn how to properly harvest and store onions, watch the following video:

If you choose the seeds wisely, correctly decide on the place to plant the onions and carefully care for the plant in the future, the harvest will certainly delight you with its abundance. With proper care, you can eat onions grown on your own plot until late spring.

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Harvest

Harvesting is carried out at the end of summer in sunny, clear weather. If you pick onions in the rain, they will begin to rot.

The degree of ripening of the bulbs can be determined by the tilted feathers. As soon as the feathers lie on the bed, you need to immediately harvest, otherwise the plants will grow again.

To pull out the bulbs, use a shovel, which is used to dig up the crop and pull it out. In good weather, the bulbs are dried directly in the garden to destroy infections. Drying is carried out for a week at a temperature of +25…+30 °C. To prevent rot, onions are dried for 12 hours at a temperature of +45 °C.

At the end of drying, the leaves of each bulb are cut off and the tails are shortened to 3-4 cm. Only whole heads without mechanical damage or signs of rot can be stored. Storage containers - baskets, nets or cardboard (wooden) boxes.

Use in cooking

Today it is impossible to imagine a single recipe that does not use onions. In raw, fried, boiled form, as a seasoning or a separate dish - it entered the cuisines of different peoples of the world and made its invaluable contribution to the development of cooking. Both the green leaves and the onion bulb are used in a variety of dishes and snacks. You can make soups, salads, sauces from it, add it to sandwiches, meat, mushrooms, minced meat.

Onion cutlets

For cutlets you will need:

4 large onions;
4 eggs;
200 grams of semolina;
salt pepper.

Finely chop the onion, add eggs, semolina, salt and spices. Mix everything thoroughly. Place the resulting slurry in a frying pan in the form of flat cakes and fry on both sides. After frying, simmer for 10 minutes. It is recommended to use tomato sauce for stewing.

Onion sauce

For the sauce you need:

300 grams of champignons;
1 medium onion;
2 teaspoons flour;
200 grams of cream;
1 teaspoon butter;
salt pepper.

Wash the vegetables and chop finely. Fry the onion in a frying pan until golden brown, add the mushrooms and fry until the liquid has evaporated. Then add flour and spices, mix thoroughly. Pour in half a glass of boiled water and pour in the cream, stirring constantly. Cook until thickened, do not boil.

Application in cosmetology

Onions are effectively used in beauty salons. Masks are made on its basis for dry and damaged hair, since the substances contained in the vegetable have a beneficial effect on their strengthening and growth. The use of onions is useful not only for hair, but also for healing and rejuvenating the skin of the face and hands. Decoctions and masks are prepared from it to help restore and nourish the skin surface. After using them, it becomes smooth and silky.

Mask against hair loss

Rub fresh onion juice into the hair roots 2 times a week. Wrap your head in a towel, after an hour, wash as usual. This procedure helps strengthen and grow hair, gives it smoothness and shine, and eliminates dandruff.

Face mask with anti-aging effects

Mix finely grated onion with sour cream, apply a thin layer to the face and décolleté, leave for twenty minutes. After time has passed, remove the remaining product using cotton sponges and rinse your face with warm water without soap. Apply nourishing cream. With repeated use, the skin improves, becomes smooth and soft.

Tips and tricks

To avoid making mistakes when growing, listen to the advice and recommendations of experienced gardeners:

Plant the sets early so that by the time the onion fly first emerges (this time coincides with the flowering of dandelions), the necks of the growing feathers are stronger. This will reduce the risk of infection of the tops by fly larvae.
Do not bend the tops to the ground to speed up the ripening of the crop. After this, the heads rot and the harvest is at risk.
Do not hill onions - this slows down the growth of the bulbs.
To protect the bulbs from drying out in the heat, mulch the beds with straw, hay or humus. This will reduce the frequency of weeding and loosening and retain moisture.

Weight loss and onions

Having such a low calorie content, this vegetable simply cannot but be used for weight loss. Diets based on it were invented by French nutritionists and are now successfully practiced in many countries around the world. How can onions contribute to this process? Here are some of its properties that are responsible for this:

lowering blood cholesterol;
stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract;
diuretic;
increased insulin production, etc.

For the diet, it is proposed to use boiled vegetables, and this will eliminate the smell. It lasts a week, and during this time you must eat onion soup 3 times a day. In between, it is acceptable to use approved products.

Onion soup recipe

For the soup you will need 6 medium onions, 3 tomatoes, bell peppers and cabbage.

Chop the vegetables and fry a little in a frying pan.
Place in a saucepan, add spices and salt and add water.
Bring to a boil and cook for about 10 minutes. First on high, then on low heat until done.

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Together with onion soup, you can use fresh fruits and juices, fermented milk and dairy products, baked or stewed vegetables, dietary boiled meat and fish.

It is not recommended to use bananas and grapes, as well as corn, beans and potatoes. For meat, it is better to eat turkey or beef.

What not to do

During the diet, you should not consume alcoholic beverages, bread and pastries, sugar and various sweets. It is also not recommended to limit yourself to only soup for weight loss. To achieve a sustainable effect, it is recommended to use other non-prohibited products.

If you want to consolidate the results obtained, set yourself one day in which you limit the consumption of sugar, baked goods and fatty foods. Give preference to protein foods and fresh vegetables.

Useful and dangerous properties

Thanks to the substances it contains, onions are widely used in medicine, science, and are also included in various recipes used in cooking. Many nutritionists use it in their weight loss programs, and cosmetologists use it as a remedy against flaky skin, hair loss, and even against wrinkles.

But along with its beneficial properties, onions also have a negative aspect. It should not be consumed by people suffering from intestinal diseases and diseases of the digestive system, as it increases the acidity of gastric juice. This vegetable also negatively affects the nervous system, which can, in turn, cause increased blood pressure or an asthma attack. The most minor of the dangerous properties of onions is bad breath. There are many different ways to get rid of it: eat a walnut, a parsley leaf or a crust of bread, or chew a roasted coffee bean. But all this will only mask the smell, and after a while it will return again.

conclusions

Onions are a universal remedy, widely used in various fields of science, medicine and cooking. Using it in its raw form during epidemics and the spread of viral infections helps strengthen the immune system and prevents the formation of bacteria. It contains substances that reduce the risk of cancer by 50%, effectively preventing the development of this disease. Onions are widely used in cosmetology and dietetics as a means to rejuvenate and restore skin, strengthen hair, and also for weight loss. It is also indispensable in cooking. Recipes that include the vegetable are used in Italian, German, Asian and other cuisines. It adds sharpness and piquancy to many unfamiliar dishes and makes the taste of already familiar ones unforgettable. It must also be remembered that onions should be used with caution by people with liver and stomach diseases, as well as with increased nervous excitability.

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Choosing a site for planting

Choose well-warmed and ventilated sunny areas for the beds, where the snow melts early in the spring. Groundwater should not pass close to the soil surface. The crop loves well-fertilized soil, so a site that received a large amount of fertilizer in the previous year is suitable. Follow the principles of crop rotation.

Predecessors

The best precursor crops for onions are pumpkins (zucchini, cucumbers), cabbage, beets, salads, tomatoes, legumes (peas, beans), grains (except oats), and green manure.

Do not plant onions after garlic, carrots, herbs, or strawberries. It can be grown in the same place only after four years.

Why did the bow go into arrow?

In addition to leaves, onions can produce a peduncle, or, as they say, shoot into arrows. Seeds - nigella - ripen in the basket of the peduncle.

But if onions are grown for turnips, then arrows are completely unnecessary. They take away nutrients and prevent the formation of a full and strong bulb. What to do if there are arrows? If this is observed, then the flower stalks should be cut off.

And in order to prevent shooting, you must follow a number of rules:

when storing bulbs in winter, sudden changes in temperature should be avoided;
use only high-quality seed material;
warm up the seedlings before planting them on the beds (especially for purchased bulbs);
do not plant large onions on turnips - selections, since they are the ones that most often go into the shoot;
plant the seedlings, observing the deadlines and always in warm soil;
Water the onions correctly, avoiding excessive moisture. In case of bad summer, watering should be completed a month before harvesting the onions.

If there is a peduncle, it is cut off or broken off at the base. After breaking out the arrow, the torn peduncle is thrown away. But we must continue to monitor these plants, as there may be repeated flower stalks. These arrows are also broken out or cut off, and then, during storage, these are the bulbs that are used for food in the first place.