To obtain early greenery in the spring and a harvest of onion heads in mid-summer, many gardeners plant onions in beds before winter. Autumn planting has two advantages: you don’t have to think about how to save the remaining small sets, and the onions grown the next year won’t shoot. To ensure that the sets do not have time to germinate, do not freeze in winter and produce a good harvest in the new season, you need to know: how and when to plant onions in the fall before winter in Siberia and the Urals in 2022, which varieties are best to choose. We hope that our step-by-step instructions and video clip in the article will help you decide on the timing and plant the seedlings according to all the rules.
When to plant winter onions in the Urals and Siberia
The optimal time for planting seedlings in the fall before winter in Siberia and the Urals is from the end of September to mid-October. But here everything depends on weather conditions. You need to have time to plant the seed two to three weeks before the soil freezes, as it must take root, otherwise the bulbs will simply lie in the ground and will not grow in the spring. At the same time, they cannot germinate in the fall, so winter onion varieties can be planted at a stable temperature during the day within +5..+7 degrees, and at night from -5 to 0 degrees. If there is a cold or thaw in the fall, you need to wait with planting or plant one part of the set earlier, and the second later.
Since the weather is capricious and often makes its own adjustments, you will have to decide on your own when to plant winter onion sets in the fall in your region. Sometimes it can be warm in Siberia in November, so the dates are approximate.
You will be interested to know: Onion sets go into the arrow: is it necessary to break off the arrows and what to do to prevent the onion from shooting
Landing dates
Onions in the Urals are planted in September. Then the bulbs will have time to take root before the onset of cold weather, but the sprouts will not have time to take root. Planting takes place at least a month before the onset of cold weather. Even in the Southern Urals, snow may fall in early October, so it is better not to delay planting work. The time to plant onions before winter depends on the ambient temperature. If its value is +5 degrees for several days, then it’s time to start work. In any case, you need to focus on weather conditions.
It is not recommended to start planting ahead of time. In warm weather, the bulbs will shoot out and will not be able to survive frosts. If you plant onions later, without rooting they will freeze in winter.
Favorable days in 2022 for planting onions before winter
According to the Lunar calendar, you can plant onion sets in the fall of 2022 in the Urals and Siberia:
- in September: 1, 2, 3
, from 10 to 16,
29, 30 ; - in October: from 7 to 13, 26, 27, 28;
- In November: 4,
6, 7, 8, 9,
22, 23, 24.
The most favorable days are highlighted in bold, when it is better to plant winter onion sets before winter. On dates not highlighted in bold, the Moon is waxing, but is in fertile signs of the Zodiac.
Since there are few completely favorable days for planting, choose any except forbidden and infertile ones:
- September 7, 17, 18, 21;
- October 6, 14, 15, 20;
- November 5, 10, 11, 19.
Advantages and disadvantages of planting before winter
Growing winter onions is an opportunity to obtain a turnip harvest 15-20 days earlier than with spring planting.
Other advantages of cultivating vegetables by planting before winter:
- Small onions rarely produce arrows.
- Part of the seeds that have hidden defects dies. Planting material, having undergone natural selection, produces a healthy onion harvest.
- During the autumn-winter period, the bulb has time to take root. Winter onions have a powerful and well-developed root system. Such plants form larger bulbs and are highly resistant to diseases.
- During the sprouting of winter onions, most pests are still in a state of hibernation. Bulbs planted in the fall are rarely threatened by the onion fly.
- The culture does not experience a lack of moisture during feather growth and head formation. The beds are well moistened after the snow melts until mid-May.
- Onions planted before winter are stored better.
- Early harvesting allows you to use the vacant beds for growing crops with a short growing season: radishes, daikon, dill.
- Many gardeners plant crops before winter in order to obtain greenery in early spring.
You can save a lot of money by planting onions in the fall. Trade organizations need to quickly sell small-fraction bulbs; their price is significantly lower than for sets sold in the spring.
Growing winter onions also has its disadvantages:
- Some of the seedlings do not germinate in the spring, and “bald spots” form in the garden bed;
- It is often quite difficult to determine the timing of planting onions before winter;
- beds with planted crops need care; you have to come to your dacha or garden plot in late autumn.
Errors in choosing the time to plant seeds in the soil lead to a significant reduction in yield.
The best varieties of winter onions
For planting before winter, zoned varieties are chosen, that is, those that are suitable for Siberia and the Urals.
According to gardeners, the best varieties of winter seedlings for planting in the fall are:
- Partner F1 - can withstand temperatures down to -28 degrees, has a bronze-brown head;
- Black Prince - Russian variety with dark purple bulbs;
- Tamara F1 is a high-yielding variety that is resistant to various rots and can be stored for a long time;
- Lugansk - onions have good keeping quality and oval or rounded heads, a late-ripening variety;
- Robin is a productive drought-resistant variety for growing in the southern regions;
- Rubin - an early ripening variety with light purple bulbs, bred by Donetsk breeders;
- Muzona is a cold-resistant variety of medium-early ripening;
- Siberian annual is a bolt-resistant onion with a semi-sharp taste and a lot of greenery.
Also among winter varieties one can distinguish onions Shakespeare, Senshui, Radar, Stone, Danilovsky.
When choosing a seed for planting, carefully inspect it. The bulbs should not have any damage or signs of rot.
Attention! It is not recommended to plant large sets before winter, as most likely they will bolt. You can plant large heads to obtain early greenery in the spring.
Which varieties are best?
It is better for the gardener to choose a frost-resistant variety. He is able to withstand:
- sudden temperature fluctuations;
- prolonged frosts;
- very coldy.
Breeders managed to obtain unique hybrids, the bulbs of which actively develop in short and medium daylight hours.
There are 3 types of seed material: oatmeal (bulbs measuring about 1 cm), set (dimensions from 1 to 3 cm), selection (differing in large-sized bulbs). When choosing a variety, you should pay attention to the type of planting material. Sowing a selection will allow you to get abundant greenery in the spring, sets - onions, and wild oats - medium-sized bulbs and feathers.
The best varieties:
- Shakespeare. Refers to the popular types of winter onions. Due to the formation of dense husks and large bulbs, the variety can withstand low temperatures well. The ripening period is 75 days.
- Radar. A popular winter variety with excellent taste. It is characterized by high germination rates and excellent resistance to harsh winters. I am pleased with the large amount of harvest.
- Ellan. This variety is suitable for growing in regions with short daylight hours. The bulbs have a round shape, golden husk, and a sweetish taste. The first harvest can be harvested in June.
- Sturon. The shape of the bulbs resembles an ellipse. The seeds ripen within 3 months. However, the harvest is stored for about 8 months.
- Senshui. An early ripening variety. It has excellent resistance to severe frosts. The bulbs do not form arrows and are suitable for long-term storage.
- Red Baron. This is a red onion with medium early ripening. It is unpretentious to climatic conditions. It has a pungent taste and is suitable for long-term storage.
When purchasing planting material, you should carefully study the manufacturer's recommendations. If a variety is not suitable for growing in a particular region, the results will only be disappointing.
Autumn planting of onion sets step by step with photos and videos
Where to plant
When choosing a bed for autumn planting, you need to know after which crops you can plant onions before winter, and after which you cannot.
For winter planting, beds where cucumbers and tomatoes, legumes and green manure, beets and cabbage, lettuce and corn, carrots and radishes grew in the same year are suitable.
It is not recommended to plant after garlic and any type of onion.
Preparing the bed
You will be interested to know: How to plant and grow onion seedlings step by step with photos and videos
The soil in the garden bed should have a neutral reaction and be loose. If the soil is dense clayey, it is diluted with sand or peat.
It is better to choose a bed that is located in a sunny area, so that in the spring the snow will melt under the sun. Excess moisture is dangerous for bulbous crops, so water should never stagnate.
Onions need fertile soil, as they have a weak root system. When digging, organic matter and mineral fertilizers are added to the soil. For 1 square meter of bed you will need:
- 5-6 kg of humus;
- 20 grams of superphosphate;
- 15 grams of potassium salt.
On the day of planting, the soil is fertilized with wood ash (1/2 cup per 1 square meter).
The dug up bed must be leveled with a rake so that water does not stagnate on it in the spring.
Preparation of planting material
Winter onions need to be planted dry in the fall, so they are not soaked or treated with anything. The planting material only needs to be sorted out, discarding damaged, dried out and rotten onions.
Separately, you should set aside large sets that will be used for planting on greens. To obtain onions, choose sets with a diameter of 1 to 3 cm.
There is no need to trim the necks of the bulbs before planting.
Tips and videos on how to plant onions before winter
Furrows or holes are made in the beds with a distance between rows of 15 cm, and the seedlings are planted at a distance of about 6-7 cm from each other. The depth of the grooves or holes should be 5 cm.
The winter hardiness of onion crops is low, so with the onset of frost, the plantings must be covered with straw, spruce branches or dry leaves. To prevent straw or dry leaves from flying away from the wind, they are covered with branches on top.
In the spring, when the sun begins to warm up, the mulch will need to be removed, since the soil under it dries out worse.
You will be interested to know: When and how to plant onions before winter in the Moscow region
VIDEO: FEATURES OF PLANTING ONIONS BEFORE WINTER
Mulching
Winter onions in the regions of Siberia need mulching - protecting the soil and plantings using a variety of materials, including natural ones - pine branches, foliage, straw or sawdust. If you plant seedlings using mulch, this will save the future winter harvest from severe frosts. It is important to remember that you need to cover the beds only with the beginning of frosty days. Do not cover plantings with polyethylene. If you don’t want to cover the beds with mulch, then you need to plant the sets in winter to a depth of 4-6 cm. But even such deepening may not save the onion harvest from winds and frosts. Siberian winter plantings are best covered generously with the top layer of coniferous forest soil - rotten cones, needles, elements of dry bark. Many vegetable growers cover the bed with boards or ordinary branches.
A good way to protect plantings is mulching
Sowing onion
Onions are planted in the fall before winter in frozen soil. The furrows are made with a distance of 20 cm. The seeds are sown thickly, after which they are sprinkled with peat or humus. In May or early June (depending on the weather) it will be possible to collect healthy greens.
Knowing how to properly plant seedlings before winter and when to plant them in your region, you will easily cope with the task and next season you will receive the harvest two to three weeks earlier. You can also plant carrots, garlic, beets and various greens in the fall.
Caring for onions after planting
In the fall, after planting and covering, the beds do not require additional care. In the spring, after the snow melts, the mulch layer is removed to ensure the soil warms up. When growing onions for turnips, the seedlings are thinned out in the spring. Leave about 5 cm between the bulbs.
During crop growth, additional thinning is performed. To prevent plants from interfering with each other, leave up to 15 cm between them, depending on the variety.
Advice! An ash solution helps stimulate the growth of bulbs.
In the spring it is better to refuse fertilizing, otherwise active growth of greenery will begin, and the turnip will remain small. Further care for onions consists of weeding, loosening and watering. The soil should not dry out; it should be kept moderately moist.
Important! Due to loosening, air exchange in the soil improves, which stimulates the development of bulbs.
When growing onions for feathers in the spring, they are actively fertilized. For irrigation, prepare fertilizer based on mullein or preparations containing nitrogen. This procedure ensures the formation of green mass.
Advice! To repel pests in the spring, you can plant marigolds or calendula between the rows of onions.
The use of agro-canvas helps protect seedlings from spring frosts. This material allows sunlight and oxygen to pass through, retaining heat.
Answers to frequently asked questions
What to do if the soil is waterlogged?
In this case, you can sprinkle the holes with a small layer of river sand.
Is it necessary to loosen the soil?
The soil should not be loose before planting; it can even be trampled down if necessary.
Do I need to trim the neck of the onion?
It is not advisable to cut the neck, as cutting can lead to infection.
Is it necessary to dry the seeds?
Before planting, the seeds must be prepared and, if necessary, disinfected. But you can’t plant them wet; you need to dry them thoroughly.
In what position should I plant?
The bulbs must be planted vertically in the hole, otherwise the emergence of seedlings will be difficult.
After which you can and cannot plant onions
It is highly not recommended to carry out winter planting after related crops have already been grown on the site. The same harmful microorganisms accumulate in the soil, plus there is a high risk of onion fly infection, which will lead to crop loss.
You should also choose a different place for winter onions if the following were grown in the area before:
- alfalfa;
- parsnip;
- radish;
- carrot.
These crops absorb the most nutrients from the soil and deplete it.
How to prepare a bed for planting onions in the fall in the Urals?
The choice of bed for winter crops directly affects the future harvest. All requirements must be met. It is advisable to choose a sunny place, but if this is not available, an area with shade is allowed.
The soil should not be acidic or alkaline. The ideal option is neutral. If the soil is acidic, then it needs to be deoxidized, and if there is alkali, it needs to be alkalized. The content of useful components in the soil must be sufficient for the growth and development of the crop; air permeability is important.
ADVICE! It is not recommended to choose lowlands for onion beds. After winter, water will accumulate in them, which adversely affects the crop.
Since the fertility of the soil substrate is important for onions, the soil must first be prepared. When digging, you need to add organic and mineral fertilizers. These are humus, phosphorus and potassium products.
On the day of winter planting, it is necessary to fertilize the future bed with wood ash and level it with a rake so that water does not accumulate in the beds.
If another crop grew on the site before winter onions, it is recommended to carry out a number of measures.
Initially, you will need to dig the bed to a depth of 7-10 cm. Next, dig deep and apply fertilizer. In case of heavy soil, the beds are prepared in advance.
Thanks to this, the bulbs take root better and good air circulation is ensured.
NOTE! Fresh manure should not be used as an organic fertilizer before winter. It reduces plant immunity and can provoke pest invasion or disease.
Choosing a variety for the Urals
Since winters in the Urals can be very cold and come quite early, not all varieties of onions are suitable for planting before winter. You need to choose only the most winter-hardy varieties.
Buran
A Ukrainian variety that produces dense and round yellow bulbs with an average weight of 100 g. It is distinguished by good cold resistance, long shelf life, and is universal in use.
Botherus
Round-flat onions with an average ripening period and an average weight of one fruit of 70 - 80 g. It has good shelf life and tolerates cold well.
Myachkovsky 300
A high-yielding variety that produces small, flat-rounded bulbs. The weight is about 70 g, the ripening period is average, the onion has a pleasant mild taste.
Siberian annual
An early variety with flat-rounded fruits in a yellow husk. Onions sprout very early, the full ripening period is only 60 - 70 days. A distinctive feature of the variety is that the onion produces almost no arrows. Siberian annual produces abundant yields and can be stored for a long time without loss of quality.
Black Prince
A variety of medium ripening, which is easily recognized by its rounded dark purple fruits with an average weight of up to 100 g. The advantages of the variety are good keeping quality and resistance to cold. Onions have a semi-sharp taste and are universally used.
Exhibition
Frost-resistant variety with high yield and good immunity to diseases and pests. A unique feature of the Exhibition onion is its truly royal size, sometimes the weight of one onion can reach 600 - 800 g. The bulbs are round, with a white core, and taste sweet.
Timiryazevsky
A variety with round or slightly flattened yellow bulbs weighing about 70 g. It produces excellent yields - about 3 kg per square meter of planting. It has a juicy taste and tolerates cold weather easily.
Bessonovsky local
Early ripening yellow onions are small in size - up to 55 g on average. Can be stored for up to 9 months, is resistant to diseases and pests, and is not afraid of cold weather. The shape of the bulbs is standard, round, the taste is spicy, onions are often used as a seasoning.
Moldavian
A universal variety, suitable for growing in the Urals. It produces medium-sized bulbs weighing from 50 to 100 g, is stored for a long time, and the yield is very high.
Carmen MC
A productive variety with round-flat red fruits of average weight - 50 - 100 g. Onions can be planted both in spring and in autumn before winter; the variety tolerates cold well, is stored for a long time and does not spoil. The taste of onions is mild, the variety is suitable for use in any culinary purposes.
Sturon
Onions with medium ripening periods, the fruits are round, yellow-brown on the outside and white on the inside. It tolerates winter frosts excellently, is resistant to most diseases and pests, and almost does not produce unwanted arrows. The weight of one fruit is usually 150 - 200 g.
Hercules F1
An early variety, ripening in about 80 days, suitable for cultivation throughout the Central region and the Urals. It bears large flat-rounded fruits weighing up to 160 g, the bulbs are covered with yellow-golden skin, the inside is white. The taste is sharp-sweet, without bitterness.
Strigunovsky local
One of the early varieties with rounded bulbs - white on the inside, covered on the outside with yellow or light brown skin. The weight of the fruit is usually from 40 to 80 g; more than 3 kg of bulbs can be collected from a square meter of garden; onions can be stored for a long time.
Spring field work
With the onset of warmth, the mulch is removed from the beds. Onion shoots are thinned out and weeds are removed. Further care comes down to loosening, weeding, and protection from pests. Regular watering is not required as such, since the soil is still moist after winter. There is no need to fertilize the plants; fertilizing is canceled, since the onions only need what was added in the fall due to the long-term decomposition of organic compost.
If the planting material has been well disinfected, then it is not at risk of disease, which cannot be said about harmful insects. With the onset of warmer weather, onion flies and moths, which enjoy fresh feathers, can cause trouble for the crop. The drug “Profit Gold”, which is used according to the instructions, will help to cope with them.
Onion beds in spring
As you can see, planting winter onions in the fall in the Urals and Siberia is not a troublesome task. No special knowledge or skills are required for this. If you are not lazy and follow all the simple recommendations, then in the spring you will be able to get a fresh harvest of fragrant and healthy onions and herbs.
Growing winter onions: pros and cons
Autumn planting of onions not only speeds up the process of crop ripening, but also guarantees:
- Increased resistance to diseases and pest attacks.
- Improving the taste of vegetables.
- Formation of large fruits. When planted in winter, the bulbs are large in size.
- No additional time spent caring for the plant. In winter, there is no need to loosen and moisten the soil or fertilize.
- Saving money on planting material.
But still, the spring method of cultivating winter onions has its disadvantages:
- Winter onions retain their properties much worse than spring onions.
- Untimely planting, as well as poor quality of planting material, can lead to the death of the plant.
- Onion yields tend to decrease in winter.
Experienced gardeners advise carefully choosing planting material. For autumn planting, it is advisable to use small-sized bulbs without signs of rotting or pest damage. You can protect the sets with potassium permanganate and salt. It is enough to dissolve the listed components in water. A solution of copper sulfate will rid the plant of insects.
How to prepare onions for winter in the Urals?
With the onset of cold weather, winter onions need to be taken care of. It should be covered with leaves or peat to protect it from frost.
If the weather is dry, mulching is allowed; if it is wet, mulching is not recommended.
If the winter is cold and there is no snow, the plants need to be covered warmer. The more snow, the less the crop needs to be covered. If the main condition is met - the soil should not freeze before rooting, most likely, winter onions will survive the winter cold.
It is impossible to cover winter crop plantings with polyethylene. Under it, the culture will begin to rot. In spring, you need to open the beds in time, because there will be an excess of moisture, and there is a high risk that the onions will get wet.
