Which month is best for transplanting onions?

Onion, also known as round onion, bulb onion, etc., can be eaten raw or cooked and is a popular vegetable. Onions have high per-acre yields and good planting benefits, and have become the main economic crop in many places. So, when is the best month to transplant onions? Let’s take a look below.

1. Which month is the best for transplanting onions?

The time for transplanting onions is mainly determined by local climatic conditions and planting habits. Generally speaking, there are several suitable transplanting time periods:

Autumn Transplanting: In August and September, the temperature gradually turns cooler but not too cold, which is very suitable for transplanting onions. Onions transplanted at this time will be well acclimated and will thrive during the following growing season.

‌Transplanting before winter‌: In some areas, especially where winter temperatures are above -7°C, onions can be transplanted about 30 to 40 days before the first freeze, which is from late October to mid-November. This ensures that the onions have enough growing time before winter and avoids the problem of reduced yields caused by transplanting too late.

‌Spring Transplanting‌: For areas with lower winter temperatures, transplanting can be done in spring. Seedlings are usually raised in greenhouses or greenhouses in March, and then transplanted to open fields or large pots in April and May. This ensures that the onions grow in the warm season and avoids the adverse effects of low temperatures on onion growth.

2. Onion planting technology

1. Variety selection: There are many varieties of onions, and suitable varieties should be selected according to local soil, climate and market demand. Generally speaking, you should choose varieties that are disease-resistant, stress-resistant, high-yield and good quality.

2. Soil preparation: Onions have high requirements for soil and should be planted in loose, fertile, well-drained soil. Before planting, the soil should be deeply plowed, dried and disinfected to eliminate pathogens and insect eggs in the soil.

3. Sowing and seedling raising: Onions can be planted by direct sowing or seedling transplanting. The direct seeding method is simple and easy, but the seedlings grow unevenly; the seedling transplanting method can ensure that the seedlings are uniform and increase yield. When raising seedlings, you should choose healthy seedlings without diseases and insect pests for transplanting.

4. Fertilization management: Onions have a long growth period and require a lot of nutrients. During the planting process, scientific and reasonable fertilization should be carried out according to the growth stage of onions and soil fertility conditions. Generally speaking, sufficient base fertilizer should be applied before sowing, mainly organic fertilizer ; appropriate amount of nitrogen fertilizer should be applied during the seedling stage to promote leaf growth; phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied during the bulb expansion period to promote bulb development.

5. Irrigation management: Onions require a lot of water, but waterlogging should also be avoided. During the seedling stage, water should be properly controlled to promote root development; during the bulb expansion period, irrigation should be increased to meet the onion's demand for water. At the same time, attention should be paid to the improvement of drainage facilities to prevent waterlogging caused by excessive rain.

3. Onion Management Methods

1. Pest and disease control: Onions are susceptible to diseases and pests during their growth. Therefore, effective prevention and control measures should be taken during the planting process, such as selecting disease-resistant varieties, reasonable crop rotation, scientific fertilization, and timely irrigation. At the same time, when pests and diseases are discovered, prevention and control should be carried out in a timely manner, and a combination of biological control, physical control and chemical control should be adopted to ensure the healthy growth of onions.

2. Weeding and loosening the soil: During the growth period of onions, weeds will compete with onions for nutrients and water, affecting the growth of onions. Therefore, weeding should be carried out in time to keep the field clean. At the same time, loosen the soil regularly to improve soil aeration and water retention, which is conducive to the growth of onion roots.

3. Harvest and storage: The harvesting time of onions should be determined according to the variety and market demand. Generally, onions are harvested when the bulbs are fully expanded and the leaves begin to turn yellow. After harvesting, the bulbs should be dried in time to remove impurities and pests and diseases, and then stored. When storing, care should be taken to maintain appropriate temperature and humidity conditions to prevent onions from sprouting, rotting and mildew.

In summary, growing onions requires knowledge of the best planting time, planting techniques, and management methods. Only by scientific and reasonable planting and management can we achieve high yield, high quality and maximum economic benefits of onions.