Favorable days for planting winter onions in the Moscow region in 2020 according to the moon

Onions can be planted twice a year: in spring and fall. In central Russia, planting is done based on the lunar phases and the region's climate. You can determine the best time to plant onions before winter in 2020 in the Moscow region by referring to the table of favorable planting days.

Climatic features of the region

The climate of the Moscow region is moderately continental, similar to the mild European climate in the west and the East Asian climate in the east.

Characters of the Moscow region:

• moderately cold winters and moderately hot summers;
• average annual air temperature is +3.7-+3.8 °C;
• 540–650 mm per year (250–270 mm falls during the growing season of plants);
• the length of the day in summer is 15-17 hours;
• the period of decreasing air temperature (below 0 °C) lasts from the end of November until the end of March;
• the number of sunny days per year is 17% (most of them occur in April), cloudy days are 32% (most often occur in November);
• strong winds are observed in winter (4.7 m/s), weaker ones – in summer (3.5 m/s);
• winter is cold, lasting from the end of November to the end of March;
• During winter frosts, the soil can freeze to a depth of 65-75 cm (in abnormally cold years - up to 100 cm).

The climate in the Moscow region is distinctly seasonal. Due to changing global weather patterns, these boundaries shift (with more hot days in summer and mild, warm winters). Vegetable planting times also vary.

Why should you plant onions in winter?

Experienced gardeners recommend planting onions in October. Among the advantages:

• heads grow larger;
• After harvesting in the spring, other vegetable crops can be planted in the bulb beds;
• edible green onion feathers grow in the spring;
• winter vegetables do not form arrows;
• planting material is cheaper in autumn;
• Seeds do not require special storage conditions.

Varieties for planting in autumn

For planting onions for the winter Suitable varieties are those that can produce a harvest under 15-hour daylight conditions and cold snaps. The most common are:

• Arzamassky (mid-season variety, resistant to fungal infection);
• Danilovsky (mid-season variety, keeps well, resistant to downy mildew);
• Red Baron (belongs to early varieties);
• Centurion (mid-season variety, large fruits, not susceptible to fungal diseases);
• Shakespeare (mid-season variety, cold-resistant, does not form bolts);
• Radar (mid-season variety, can withstand frosts down to 23 degrees, does not form bolts, has good immunity against viral diseases).

Spring varieties, which are susceptible to frost, are not suitable for fall planting. They are planted only in the spring (when temperatures rise steadily) and harvested at the end of the growing season.

Favorable and forbidden days

To ensure that vegetables planted in the fall grow well, you need to follow the onion planting calendar and choose the most suitable time for work.

Read also

Planting and caring for winter garlic in 2020 according to the moon and regions
Garlic is a vegetable crop that can be planted in both spring and fall. It's most often planted in the fall. Winter varieties ripen several weeks earlier, producing heads that...

 

Table of favorable days for planting onions

Unfavorable planting days for onions

Onions are planted in the Moscow region in the fall during the waning moon (the influence of the waning moon favors root development and seed germination). The optimal planting period is three weeks before the onset of frost. Weather conditions are taken into account when choosing a date. If cold weather is forecast before the planned planting date, the planting schedule is shifted.

How to plant

Successful vegetable growing depends on the preliminary preparation of the seed and soil. To ensure a bountiful harvest, follow planting recommendations and ensure proper care during the growing season.

Seed preparation

Preparation of bulbs consists of:

• rejection of diseased and small specimens;
• treating seeds with a solution of potassium permanganate (place them in a one percent solution, keep for 10 minutes, then dry) or in a fungicide (Maxim, Topaz).

To ensure good germination and reduced disease risk, it's recommended to pour boiling water over the seeds. Root development is promoted by treating the bulbs with a Kornevin solution. This stimulator can be added in dry form to the planting holes. Ash can be used as a fertilizer for the vegetable.

Soil preparation, planting and care

Prepare the soil in advance (2-3 weeks before the planned planting). Carefully dig the soil in the beds, remove any remaining roots and weeds, and cover with plastic film (for better warming). Fertilize the soil with ash and humus. Dig seed holes 5 m deep. The optimal distance between plants should be at least 6 cm, and between rows, at least 15 cm.

It's recommended to cover the planting holes with humus (to facilitate germination). When frost sets in, mulch the soil. Straw, dried grass, and spruce branches can be used as additional insulation. In winter, cover the plantings with snow (this will help the bulbs absorb more moisture and germinate faster and better in the spring).

In the spring, when the weather becomes consistently warm, remove the mulch. Loosen the soil after each watering (or rain). Overly dense plantings are thinned out (to prevent the development and spread of infections, prevent the proliferation of parasites, and to improve root aeration and the development of the above-ground parts of the plants). To prevent disease, sow marigolds and nasturtiums between the rows.

What not to do

To ensure winter onions grow well, you must not:

• over-water the soil (excessive watering will cause the bulbs to rot);
• allow the soil to dry out (lack of water leads to drying out of the greens, onions grow poorly, and heads are poorly formed);
• cut off the feathers (the lack of greenery slows down the growth of the bulbs);
• allow the soil to harden (lack of oxygen in the soil leads to root death);
• Ignore signs of nitrogen deficiency (the tips of the greens turn white and begin to dry out); if these are present, the onions should be fed with mineral fertilizers.

Read also

Planting Eustoma Seedlings in 2020: A Table of Favorable Days
Eustoma is a perennial plant, but in Russia it's grown as an annual or houseplant, as it can't survive the winter outdoors. To ensure summer blooms, seeds are sown…

 

Onions are easy to grow and care for. In the Moscow region, they can be planted outdoors in both spring and fall. Planting should be done according to the lunar calendar, taking into account the region's climate. Strict adherence to agricultural practices is essential for obtaining a bountiful harvest.