How and when to plant onions

Onion planting time and month

Onion seeds prefer a hot and humid environment. They are usually sown from late July to early August. They are also called winter onions. The plants are larger during the winter and can quickly complete the vernalization process. They will sprout early in the spring of the following year and will soon bloom.

Onion seeds can be sown after the soil thaws in early spring, so that there will be a supply of green onions before summer comes. During the maintenance period, sufficient water needs to be provided and thin fertilizers need to be applied frequently so that the plants can thrive.

Onions can be planted in July and August in summer. The temperature is high at this time and the plants cannot tolerate strong sunlight, so shade measures need to be taken to prevent the seedlings from being burned and affecting their later growth.

Onion seeds can be sown in September in autumn, so that they can survive the winter better. They can be transplanted in early to mid-May of the following summer and harvested before winter. If the temperature is low, they need to be covered with mulch after planting to keep warm and moisturized.

How to plant onions

Before planting onion seeds, choose a place with plenty of sunlight and good drainage, renovate the soil in advance, apply enough base fertilizer to improve soil fertility. When planting, the roots should face downward, with a distance of about 5 cm between two seeds and a planting depth of about 2.5 cm. After planting, water thoroughly once and cover with a layer of bark or grass clippings.

1. Carefully prepare the land. Onions like to grow in loose, fertile, well-drained and moist soil. Before sowing, the soil needs to be turned over and dried to reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases. Then apply enough base fertilizer, mainly rotted farmyard manure, combined with triple compound fertilizer.

2. Sow at the right time. The suitable growth temperature for onions is between 10-25 degrees, which is suitable for sowing in spring. The temperature is higher in summer, so you can use a shade net to cover and cool it down. The temperature is lower in winter, so you can use a small arch shed to cover and keep warm.

3. Cultivate strong seedlings. Whether the onions are sown directly or transplanted, they must be cultivated. The transplanting depth is 2.5 cm, and the density should be dense rather than sparse. Water them sufficiently after planting, and loosen the soil and weed after they survive.

4. Maintenance and management: During the growth period of onion seeds, the soil should be kept moist, thin fertilizers should be applied frequently, and drainage measures should be taken in the rainy season. Its common diseases include downy mildew, which can be sprayed with 500 times diluted 25% metalaxyl. The main insect pests are onion aphids and leaf miners, which can be sprayed with pesticides such as Yibianjing and Avermectin.