Growing onions: the stages and secrets of a good harvest

Onions as a cultivated plant, people began to grow about four thousand years ago. Thanks to its unique properties, onions quickly gained popularity among various nations.Among the famous cuisines of various nations there are practically no such ones where this useful and tasty plant would not be used. It is worth considering how to properly grow this vegetable, how to avoid common mistakes.

Onions prefer nutritious and loose soil. For planting this plant you need to choose a site that is well lit by the sun. For the proper growth and development of this culture, the length of daylight hours is of great importance. Soil is desirable moderately wet, and groundwater should not be located close to the surface. During the period of active development, the plant requires intensive watering, after this period it is not necessary to water the onions. Onions grow well where previously tomatoes, cabbage, potatoes and cucumbers were grown. But if the predecessor was garlic or carrot, then it will grow worse.

This culture does not tolerate the soil, which has increased acidity. On these soils, nutrients are poorly absorbed and there is a likelihood that the plant will fall ill with powdery mildew. The temperature range for growing is quite large. Well onion grows at a temperature of +13 degrees. Seeds begin to germinate when the air temperature is above +5 degrees. Sharp varieties tolerate frosts well, but sweet ones are more thermophilic.

The planting dates for onion culture depend on many factors and are somewhat different. Planting sevok possible in spring, autumn and even in summer. The easiest landing option is on the pen. In this case, disembarking takes place during almost the entire summer. And the whole season will delight delicious and healthy green onion feathers.

The most common is planting a sevka in the spring. Exact terms can not be named, the main factor is how much the soil has warmed up. Its temperature should be at least +12 degrees and the depth of the warm ground should be 10 centimeters. Landing dates will vary in different regions of Russia. Thus, in the southern territories, landing is carried out, starting in mid-April, in the central region - approximately in the first half of May, and in the northern regions - only in the second half of May.

Since this culture is quite cold-resistant, during planting a warm soil is needed so that there is no rapid growth of green feathers and, accordingly, a slow development of the heads. In cold soil, the onion will give many arrows, in which its seeds will ripen, which prevents the formation of normal bulbs, suitable for storage and for human consumption.

Another option to determine the planting dates is to follow the advice of manufacturers who have taken sevok. The package always indicates the type and maturity, there is information about the desired time of planting of planting material. Some gardeners when deciding on planting are guided by the lunar calendar. The location of the moon in a certain phase is a hint when to plant sevok.

During the periods of the full moon and the new moon, the natural processes change places and begin to go in the opposite direction, which is very similar to the pause between inhalation and exhalation. In nature, there is a pause and it is undesirable to plant, replace and carry out other work related to planting these days. On the growing moon, plant saps tend upwards, then it is better to plant onions on the feather, its main part is the ground part; and since when planting on a turnip an underground part of a plant is needed, then it is worth planting when the moon leaves.

As is known, planting is carried out not only in spring, but also in autumn. It is customary to plant beds with garlic before winter. But in this way you can land onions and turnips. Onions, properly planted before winter, can give ripe heads by mid-summer, and a lush green feather - in April. Thus, planting material is hardened, it becomes resistant to various diseases. For winter crops, the smallest set is chosen, with a diameter of not more than one centimeter.

It is impossible to recommend specific landing dates for the winter due to the length and unpredictability of the autumn period. Each gardener decides on planting a sevka independently, depending on the weather and climatic conditions in the region. Approximately this period falls on September, the beginning of October. If the temperature during the day stably stays at +5 degrees, and at night it does not fall below -4 degrees, then sevok will give roots, but will not have time to put a feather. If it is warmer, then the sevok will begin to grow actively and will die in strong frosts. In case of stable frosts, on the contrary, it will not have time to take root and will not germinate in spring.

Based on the foregoing, the following recommendations can be made on the planting dates for this crop:

• in the southern regions - the end of October or the beginning of November;
• in the central - from mid-September to the end of October;
• in the north - you can start landing in August.

It is worth noting that these terms are advisory in nature. Focus on the date of landing is necessary, based on a long-term weather forecast. If the onion is grown from seeds, then the best time to plant comes at the end of March. After 50–60 days, the seedlings become strong, three or four true leaves appear. Usually this is the end of May; it is at this time that the seedlings can be safely planted in open ground.

Onions are divided into the following varieties:

• early maturing
• mid-season;
• late ripening

To taste varieties are divided into the following:

• acute - long storage, it is steady against frosts;
• semi-sweet - As a rule, gives a wonderful harvest, but is difficult to store;
• sweet - heat-loving, growing in the south of the country.

In early ripening varieties, the growing season lasts from seventy to eighty days. These varieties are suitable and convenient for growing in temperate and cold climates, where the duration of the warm period leaves much to be desired. Early-maturing varieties include Timiryazevsky, Bessonovsky, Mstersky, Odintsovo, Myachkovsky.

Mid-season varieties have a period of growth and development of 100-120 days. These include "Supra", "Chalcedony", "Alvina", "Arzamas", "Danilovsky". Late-ripening varieties ripen in 130–140 days. They are suitable for cultivation in the southern, warm regions. Among them are the "Exibichen", "Kaba", "Snowball", "Volzhanin", "Volsky".

No less popular than onions - a leek. He has a lot in common with onions. It is distinguished by the absence of large onions. Leek forms a strong root system in the first year of life while growing long, flat leaves. The base of the onion is white in color, and this base is mainly used in food.

A leek has a long growing season, which makes it somewhat difficult to grow it in cold areas. But it is possible to pick up early ripe varieties, then not only tasty, but also extremely useful vegetables will appear on the table. The technology of growing leeks is similar to the cultivation of onions. When planting and caring for a leek, one can be guided by the same principles as for the drawdown of a regular bow. It is worth considering some varieties of leeks, suitable for growing in temperate climates.

• "Goliath" - This is a medium height variety, the white part of which reaches thirty centimeters. It is used both in dried and fresh. He is prone to diseases characteristic of this culture. This variety belongs to the early ripening.
• Columbus - it is the highest early ripe grade. The height of the leaves reaches eighty centimeters. It is distinguished by excellent taste.
• "Vesta" - This is the most suitable variety for growing in the middle zone. The taste is slightly spicy, the variety is resistant to diseases.

The agrotechnology of onion cultivation in the open field consists in the correct selection of the variety for planting, the timely application of fertilizers, the proper watering and, of course, the preparation of the soil.Even if you plan to plant onions in the spring season, you need to start preparing the soil in autumn.

At the end of the harvest, the earth is dug up, removing from it all that is unnecessary (roots, plant remains). Next, lay fertilizers from organic materials, for example, phosphorus, potassium, humus. Then the bed is once again dug up, this time deeply, turning layers. In this form, leave the area intended for planting sevka until spring. During the winter, the remaining roots of the weeds freeze out, so in the spring there is much less hassle with weeding.

In the spring, when snow melts, fertilizers introduced in autumn are deeply absorbed into the soil. As soon as the snow is completely gone, the ground is dug up and smoothed, which leads to the fact that excessive moisture evaporates from the ground surface. After the moisture has evaporated, add residues of fertilizers, the soil once again loosened. An important factor is the acidity of the soil. With increased acidity, it is reduced by adding ash, dolomite flour, chalk. The recommended height of the beds is no more than fifteen centimeters, and the width is no more than one meter.

As soon as all the preparatory work with the soil is completed, the beds are covered with a film for several days to warm up. The result is a loose, saturated with oxygen and fertilizers, heated soil. Next, you can start landing. Sprouting onions from seeds in spring is done in two ways:

• seeds are sown directly in open ground;
• already planted onions (seedlings) are planted on the beds.

In the first method, the seeds are laid no deeper than two centimeters, otherwise they will not be able to germinate in time. The beds are covered with sawdust or covered with material. The distance between the seeds should not be more than five centimeters. Once the onion began to germinate, it is thinned if necessary. If the seeds sit too often, the crop will be small.

When forcing onions from seedlings, they are planted in open soil as soon as the soil has warmed enough. On the seedlings at this point should be at least three or four normal leaves. When planting on a turnip onion sets in the first place planted the smallest onions the size of up to one centimeter. As the earth warms up, they plant a larger sev. Small sets rarely give arrows, but unlike garlic in a bow, the arrow cannot be cut off.

Good results are obtained by planting onions for the winter. The preparation of the beds is slightly different from the spring. All the excess is removed, the earth is dug up, fertilizers are applied. As soon as the first frosts begin, sevok is instilled into the ground about four centimeters deep, covered with straw, spruce or sawdust. It is imperative to cover so that the sek could give roots and not die out. In the spring when the onset of heat covering material necessarily removed, because under it the earth warms up more slowly.

Sevok before planting necessarily sorted by size. The first will be planted the smallest seedlings. And also remove unsuitable for planting material. By the way, the sevok, which is guaranteed not to be late until spring, can be planted before winter. As a rule, it gives good shoots. After the onion has been planted, it is worthwhile to properly care for the plant for a good harvest. The main role in the care of onions play timely watering and feeding.

It is necessary to adhere to such basic rules for watering onions as:

• water onions preferably from watering can, so as not to damage the green feather;
• watering should be abundant;
• the best time for watering is evening;
• about thirty days before harvesting, they stop watering the onions, which is very important, because the bulbs can rot.

In dry weather, the onions are watered about once a week, while using a ten-liter bucket per square meter. Such a rule adhere to about mid-July. Further, the water flow remains the same, but the intervals between irrigations are reduced. Until the end of July or the beginning of August, the onions are watered about once every 4–5 days. Further, watering is completely stopped before harvesting. It is very convenient to use a drip system that allows you to accurately control the amount of moisture entering the ground.

In addition to watering, care for onions during the development period includes fertilizing. Although onions are an unpretentious crop, the lack or excess of fertilizers responds to a decrease in quality or quantity of the crop. Feed onions can begin one and a half weeks after landing in the ground. The feather reaches 3–4 centimeters by this moment, there is a rapid growth of greenery. But the greens begin to turn yellow if there is a shortage of nitrogen in the soil. Therefore, when the first feeding it is desirable to make nitrogenous fertilizers. Well-suited for this purpose infusions of horse, cow manure or an infusion of bird droppings.

The second time fertilizers are applied around the middle or at the end of June. This dressing contributes to the formation of turnips. Onions during this period need potash-phosphate fertilizers. Aisle spill a solution of nitrophoska (thirty grams per ten liters of water). The third dressing is produced in July. It is necessary to ensure that the onion was dense and strong. Fertilized in the same way as the second time, potash-phosphate fertilizers. Winter vegetables require the same care as planted in spring.

If you wish, you can still use the people's tips for the care of this culture.

• Wood ash. It is poured around the plants, then the ground is slightly loosened and watered. Or watered already prepared ash mixture. The mixture is prepared as follows: one teaspoon of ash is stirred in one liter of water. Ash also removes excess acidity of the soil.
• Top dressing bread infusion with yeast. A pound of black bread is soaked in ten liters of warm water, covered with six hundred grams of mown grass and fifty grams of yeast. Insist 3-4 days. This infusion can completely replace one watering.
• Ammonia. Calcium water diluted with three to ten. Water the plants under the root. Ammonia helps with yellowing of leaves.

Many are interested in the question of how to feed onions, if it is grown on greens. In order for the bow to give a strong, healthy feather, it needs nitrogen. To increase the nitrogen content in the soil, use ammonium nitrate, ash, an infusion of ash, potassium and phosphorus.

It is recommended to use the following tips to grow a bountiful harvest:

• onions planted for turnips, greens are not cut;
• onions will give a good harvest, if it grows in a sunny place, the land is free from weed roots;
• if sevok before planting was stored at a temperature of up to +18 degrees, then he will go to the arrow;
• when stored in the winter period, onions are periodically picked out, getting rid of spoiled heads;
• winter onions give bulbs larger than those planted in spring;
• a winter bed dug up from the autumn bed freezes the roots of weeds and some pests;
• in winter, onions are kept suspended in a dry, ventilated area;
• harvest onions when it is dry and no rain, if possible avoiding damage to the heads;
• if you had to remove the onions in wet, rainy weather, you should remove the top husk from it and dry it; only then put in storage;
• beds with onions must be weeded; weeds retain excess moisture in the soil, which can harm future crops;
• It is not recommended to water the onions in hot, sunny weather, as the drops remaining on the green feathers can cause burns when exposed to the sun.

As you can see, the care of onions with sufficient skill is not so difficult. The main thing is to follow the basic rules and then the crop grown with their own hands will always delight.

On the secrets of caring for onions and how to grow a good harvest, see the following video.