Onions are one of the most popular garden crops. There is a place for it on every site. To get a decent harvest, you need to choose the right onion variety, as well as know the basic rules for planting and caring for the plant.
The best varieties of onions
Planting a crop begins with the selection of seeds. To get an onion that has excellent taste, resistance to pests and the ability to long-term storage, you need to navigate the best varieties of the plant.
TOP 10 best varieties of onions:
- Yukont... This is an early ripening variety of purple onions that can be grown both as seeds and sets. The vegetable is gaining ripeness 90 days after planting in the first way and 60-70 days after the introduction of seed into the soil. The average weight of the fruit is 100 g, the germination of the plant is excellent, equating to 95%. The onion tastes spicy.
- Carmen... It is recommended to plant this early ripe white onion variety with a set. It takes about 70-90 days until the crop is fully ripe. The fruits are round in shape, the average weight is 70 g. From 10 square meters. m you can collect about 17 kg of crop.
- Snowball... An early ripe white onion variety that bears fleshy fruits with a semi-sharp pleasant taste. The average weight of a vegetable is 100 g. The plant ripens in 65-80 days. The crop is perfectly stored; during growth, onions rarely go into the arrow.
- Strigunovsky local... An early onion variety with brown scales and light flesh. Its undoubted advantage is its ability to produce high yields both in hot and cool climates. The fruit tastes excellently pungent. The average bulb weight is 50-80 g.
- Red baron... The fruits ripen early, the pulp has a purple hue and a semi-sharp taste, the onion husk is red. To get the maximum yield, it is recommended to grow the plant using the seedling method. This will allow harvesting large bulbs weighing up to 150 g.
- Setton... A mid-season variety that can be stored for a long time and has excellent taste. Setton produces an excellent harvest. Under favorable conditions, from 10 sq. m you can collect up to 50 kg of onions. The average weight of a vegetable is 150 g. The husk has a yellow color, and the pulp is creamy. Harvested 3 months after planting.
- Aleko... The variety belongs to the mid-season. The crop is harvested 100 days after planting. Fruits grow not very large, their weight does not exceed 60 g. The color of the pulp is purple, and the taste is rich. Regardless of the planting method, the yield remains consistently high at 94%. m you can collect almost 20 kg of vegetables.
- Kaba... A late-ripening variety with light pulp and a semi-sharp taste. The maximum bulb size is 150 g. It is preferable to grow this variety by seed. Its disadvantage is its low resistance to powdery mildew and onion fly.
- Farmer... This late-ripening variety is chosen for long-term storage. The harvest can be expected no earlier than 130 days after planting the seeds. Bulbs grow massive. The weight of one fruit can reach 250-350 g. The flesh is white, with a characteristic crunch and sharp taste, the scales are brown, with a golden tint. The plant is resistant to attacks by fungal microorganisms.
- Globo... A late-ripening variety that produces a high yield. The recommended planting method is seedling. Onions require additional nutrition with minerals. Since the seedlings start growing in March, it is necessary to provide the onions with sufficient lighting. The pulp of the fruit is juicy, the smell is delicate.
It is recommended to plant several varieties of onions at once on the site. This rule is especially true when using new plant hybrids.
Soil requirements
Onions are not a very whimsical plant, but only when optimal conditions are created will it be possible to achieve high yields. One of the requirements is the correct soil.
Onions can grow on sandy loam and loamy soils. Seeds do not feel well in clay soil, as it is too dense for them. To cope with the problem, sand must be added to the garden.
An important parameter for obtaining a good harvest is soil acidity. Optimal values are pH in the range of 6.4-7.9. Acidic soil needs to be alkalized. This is done with slaked lime, chalk or dolomite flour.
If the seeds are placed in loamy soil, the fruits will grow delicious. High yields can be obtained on sandy loam lands.
Deficiency of moisture in the soil affects the yield negatively. In such conditions, the plants grow poorly, the fruits are small. It is necessary to actively moisten the soil at an early stage of culture development, as well as during the formation of fruits. After they ripen, watering is reduced. It is important not to overdo it with water, as its excess will lead to a delay in the growth period. Bulbs are poorly stored and are more often subject to various diseases.
The site must be chosen so that as much sunlight as possible falls on it. The culture, regardless of the variety chosen, does not develop well in the shade.
The optimum is the soil on which the following plants were previously grown:
- cucumbers;
- zucchini;
- tomatoes;
- legumes;
- potatoes.
Any other greens are considered an excellent neighbor for onions: dill, lettuce, parsley. The culture is friendly with beets and carrots. Onions do not draw out all the resources from the soil, so next year other light-loving plants can be planted on the same site.
Landing dates
Most gardeners plant onions outdoors in May. At this time, the soil has sufficient moisture. These conditions are considered optimal for the rapid growth of the bulbs. The exact timing depends on the climatic conditions prevailing in a particular area.
Be sure to pay attention to the weather on the day of the planned landing. If it is cool outside the window, and the air is saturated with moisture, then it is better to postpone the introduction of seeds into the soil. The soil temperature should be at least 12-15 degrees. Planting a plant in cold ground will result in a poor harvest and an abundance of arrows.
Many gardeners are guided not only by weather conditions, but also by the lunar calendar. The dates in it change, depending on the year.
In winter, onions are planted in October or early November. It is important that a month remains before the onset of severe frosts. For example, in the Urals, plants are planted in winter at the end of September, and in the south in mid-November. It takes about 14 days from the moment of planting to the rooting of the plant. The optimum air temperature is 5 degrees. Even if after the introduction of seeds into the soil a feather of 1 or 2 cm appears, you should not worry. Such plants tolerate wintering well.
Planting methods in open ground
Onions are planted in open ground in three ways:
- seeds;
- seedlings;
- sevkom.
Each method has certain characteristics that must be considered in order to obtain a good harvest.
Seeds
Before adding seeds to the soil, you need to make sure that they are germinating. To do this, place a few seeds in a damp cloth and put them in a warm place. If sprouts appear after a few days, then you can start adding them to the soil.
Store-bought seeds do not need additional processing. If they were grown independently, then they are additionally disinfected with fungicides. A weak solution of potassium permanganate has good antiseptic properties. The seeds are soaked in it for 24 hours. To increase germination, they are kept in hot water for half an hour and in aloe juice for another 30 minutes. After such treatment, the seeds are placed in a tissue bag for 3-4 days and immersed in water for 1.5 days. During this time, the fluid must be changed at least 3 times.
The prepared seeds are poured onto a damp cloth, covering them with a second layer of cloth. After 2 days, they will begin to sprout, after which you can start planting.
Seeds are introduced into the soil by a belt method, the earth is preliminarily loosened. The distance between the seeds must be at least 1.5 cm. The grooves must be compacted by removing the remaining air. The soil is mulched with peat, after which it is carefully watered so as not to erode the bed. To create optimal conditions for seed germination, the bed is covered with polyethylene. Remove the film after emergence.
Seedlings
Seedlings are sown in March or late February. Features of its processing before introduction into open soil:
- disinfection of seeds with potassium permanganate;
- activation in boiled water;
- planting seeds in boxes;
- seedling care: regular watering and feeding, fertilizers are applied 2 weeks after germination.
Plants can be planted in open ground after at least 3 leaves appear on them. To make the bulbs easily come out of the boxes, they need to be filled with water. Seedlings are taken out of the primary soil carefully so as not to damage future root crops. If there are roots longer than 4 cm, they are cut off.
Step-by-step instructions for planting onion seedlings in open beds:
- The bed is watered with hot water, leveled and covered with polyethylene.
- After 3 days, furrows are made in the prepared soil. The distance between the rows should be at least 20 cm.If the fruits are large, then the gap is increased to 3 cm.
- Seedlings are placed in the holes every 10 cm.
- The plant is deepened into the soil by 2.5 cm. To remove the voids, the soil is pressed around the roots.
- To prevent the onion from being spoiled by frost, cover it with suitable material at night.
- The first days you need to water the onion regularly, every 2 days.
- After 3 days, the soil is loosened. Perform manipulations as carefully as possible so as not to damage the root system of the plant.
If all conditions are met, the seedlings will quickly grow.
Onion-sevkom
Before planting the seed in open soil, you need to properly prepare it. To do this, perform the following actions:
- sevok is soaked in a weak solution of potassium permanganate;
- the bulbs are dried at a temperature of 20 degrees, the drying time is 20 minutes;
- warmed up the sets for 10 hours at a temperature of 40 degrees;
- if desired, the seeds are treated with a growth stimulant.
The seedlings are planted in even rows, the distance between them should be 25 cm. The bulbs are introduced into the ground to a depth of 4 cm. The distance of seeds from each other is equal to 5-10 cm. It can be increased if a variety of onions with large roots is planted. When all the seedlings are in the garden, they mulch it with peat. With proper planting, seedlings can be expected in 10 days.
Culture care
After planting is completed, it is necessary to properly care for the onions. To do this, the soil is regularly weeded from weeds, the plant is watered, fed, and thinned if necessary.
If the soil is wet, then the first full watering is carried out after 2 weeks. When it is dry, water is added earlier than 10 days. The soil must remain moist and loose. This is very important in the early stages of onion growth. Watering frequency depends on the amount of seasonal rainfall. Watering is stopped in June.
Thinning must be carried out when planting onions with seeds or when applying a bunch of seedlings. It is important to perform these manipulations on time, until the plant has more than 4 leaves. If you thin out the crop later, the harvest will be small.
During the growing season, 2 dressings are performed. The first time fertilizers are applied in May, using organic matter for this. The second time feeding is carried out in mid-June. Potassium phosphate formulations are better suited for this purpose.
Onions love organic fertilizers. They are necessarily used on soils with insufficient fertility, but experienced gardeners do not recommend bringing fresh manure into the ground.
Diseases and pests
Onions are attacked by various diseases, pests attack it, which can completely destroy the crop. To prevent this from happening, the fight against them must be started as early as possible.
The most common diseases and pests of onions:
- Powdery mildew... The rainy summer contributes to its spread. The fungus leads to the loss of plant vitality. To combat infection, the beds are treated with special agents such as Baikal EM. Seedlings are disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate.To reduce the likelihood of spreading the disease, you need to leave enough space between the seeds. If it has already struck the plants, then such control agents as Fitosporin, Trichodermin, Phytocid M. To prepare it, 600 g of plant heads are boiled in 10 liters of water for 3 hours. The finished composition is diluted and the beds are treated with it for a week.
- Gray rot... The disease affects the cervical part of the plant, adversely affecting the shelf life of the crop. To prevent it, in June, onions are sprayed with fungicides from the triazole class.
- Rust... It affects onion leaves. To combat the disease, it is sprayed with compounds containing copper oxychloride. After processing, the leaves become unfit for food.
- Onion fly... This pest leads to the cessation of plant growth, yellowing and death. Insect larvae eat the bulb from the inside. To combat parasites, folk remedies with a pronounced odor are used. Ammonia and ammonia have proven themselves well. To prepare the composition, 3 tablespoons of the selected product are diluted in 10 liters of water. Plants are gently watered with this solution, without getting on its leaves.
Pests and diseases do not always affect onions. Sometimes the culture remains completely healthy throughout the entire growth period. This means that all planting and grooming rules have been followed.
Harvesting and storage
Onions are harvested in August or September. The maturity of the plant is indicated by yellowed leaves, which are held on a thin neck. The color of the husk becomes bright and saturated. You need to dig the heads out of the ground in dry, sunny weather.
Plants can be easily removed from loose soil by hand. Heavy soil is dug up with a pitchfork or a shovel. After removing the heads, you need to clean them from the ground with your hands. Choose a sunny place to dry. The bulbs are laid out in rows, turning all the leaves in one direction. The crop is folded on cloth, it is not left on the ground.
It is convenient to dry onions in bunches, tying their leaves and hanging them in a draft. The average drying time is 14 days.
Before putting the onion for storage, you need to carefully examine it, sifting out the defective heads. The roots are cut without damaging the bottom of the plant. The crops are put in baskets or boxes that let air through. Do not use plastic bags. Optimal conditions for storing onions:
- air temperature - from -3 to -1 degrees;
- air humidity - 70-80%.
From time to time, the plants need to be sorted out, sorting out the spoiled fruits.
If you correctly approach the choice of seeds, correctly determine the place of planting onions and carefully care for the plant in the future, the harvest will certainly delight you with its abundance. With proper care, you can eat onions grown on your site until late spring.