When to water and fertilize onions in spring?

After spring, as the temperature gradually warms up, onions begin to enter the peak period of leaf growth, the number of leaves increases rapidly, and the leaf area expands rapidly. The focus of management at this time is to promote vigorous growth of leaves to promote bulb enlargement. To this end, watering and fertilizing should be done in time. So when should onions be watered and fertilized in spring? Let’s learn more about it below.

When to water and fertilize onions in spring?

1. Watering time

1. After mid-March, onions enter the green period and it is recommended to water them every 10 days or so.

2. After the seedlings have grown, the onions enter the bulb expansion period. During this period, the temperature rises, the plant growth rate accelerates, and water evaporation begins to increase. Generally, water is applied once every 5-7 days.

3. When the onion bulbs are close to maturity, the physiological functions of the leaves and roots begin to decline. Watering should be gradually reduced and stopped 7-8 days before harvest.

2. Fertilization time

1. The first fertilization should be carried out after the onion turns green in spring to supplement nutrients for the growth of the onion root system and lay the foundation for the vigorous growth of the above-ground part in the future. Fertilization should be mainly based on fully decomposed organic fertilizer , 1,000 kilograms per 667 square meters, with 20 kilograms of superphosphate and 10 kilograms of potassium sulfate added in the middle.

2. When the onion plants grow 8-10 true leaves and the bulbs begin to grow, start applying fertilizer to promote the growth of the bulbs. Apply 2-3 times in a row, and apply 10-20 kg of ammonium sulfate per square meter.

Precautions for watering and fertilizing onions in spring

1. Water appropriately

Do not water too much in spring to avoid excessive soil moisture, which will affect the respiration and growth of the onion roots. The amount of watering should be adjusted according to the soil moisture conditions and the growth conditions of the onions.

2. Watering method

There are many methods to choose from for watering, such as: pouring, furrow irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation, etc. Sprinkler irrigation and drip irrigation are the best, and flood irrigation is not recommended.

3. Reasonable ratio

According to the growth needs of onions and soil fertility conditions, reasonably mix nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to avoid excessive fertilization.

4. Cultivate and loosen the soil

Loosening the soil is beneficial to the development of the onion root system and the expansion of the bulb. It is generally carried out 3-4 times during the seedling stage, combined with each watering; 2-3 times during the stem and leaf growth period, and intertillage should be stopped after the plants are covered with ridges.

In general, after the beginning of spring, onion planting should be watered and fertilized in time to promote vegetative growth, control reproductive growth, and reduce immature bolting. It is the key to ensure healthy growth and increase yield of onions.