How to plant onion sets in winter

In many regions, planting onion sets before winter is a popular choice. Success depends on proper agricultural practices, site preparation, and the correct selection of winter varieties. To avoid losing results, you need to take into account the recommendations and advice of experienced gardeners.

When to plant onions

Winter garlic sets should be planted 10-14 days after winter garlic is planted. The exact date depends on the region's climate:

• in the central part they are planted after October 20;
• for southern regions, planting at the end of November is acceptable;
• For northern territories this period is the beginning of October.

The optimal time to plant winter onion sets is three weeks before the first frost. To avoid choosing the wrong planting date, it's important to consult weather forecasts. If the temperature remains steady at +3-+5°C for a week, and the forecast calls for 0°C in the near future, then it's time to consider the weather forecast.

Which variety is better to choose?

Not every variety is suitable for fall planting. Zoned varieties adapt well to winter conditions, as do seeds obtained from nigella. However, it's always better to purchase varieties intended for winter cultivation:

• Strigunovsky;
• Senshui;
• Stuttgarter Rieser;
• Bessonovsky;
• Red Baron;
• Sturon;
• Ellan;
• Shakespeare;
• Arzamas;
• Danilovsky;
• Radar.

It is not recommended to plant varieties intended for growing in warm southern regions in cold areas.

Benefits of winter planting

Planting onion sets in the fall is a great way to get a bountiful and early harvest. This growing method has its advantages.

1. Onion sets planted in winter are more resistant to pests and diseases.
2. Onion fly attacks on autumn plantings much less frequently. These sets develop a stronger root system, preventing the pest from laying eggs.
3. These beds will not need watering until mid-May.
4. The harvest will be ready very early, allowing for sun-drying. These onions ripen 1-2 months earlier. After harvesting, other early-ripening vegetables and herbs can be planted.
5. The bulbs are much healthier and stronger.
6. The taste is much sweeter.

The downside of this planting is poor shelf life. These bulbs store poorly, and the winter onion yield is also slightly lower.

Landing rules

To get an onion harvest next season, you should follow all the rules of agricultural technology: select and prepare a site, process the seed material, fertilize.

Choosing a location

Onions prefer loose, neutral soil (around 6 pH). Choose a sunny, well-ventilated location. The bed should be free of standing rainwater and groundwater.

Avoid planting onions after potatoes, celery, legumes, and alfalfa, as they are susceptible to nematode infestation. It's best to plant onion sets after rapeseed, peas, lettuce, beets, cucumbers, and mustard.

Preparing the soil and seedlings

Before planting, the seeds are sorted, removing any rotten or diseased bulbs. They are then sorted by size and planted separately. Small and medium-sized bulbs are used to grow into bulbs, while large bulbs are used only for early greens.

Small heads can be disinfected by soaking them in a weak solution of potassium permanganate or copper sulfate for 5-10 minutes. After this, dry the sets for 12-20 hours, as dry heads survive the winter better.

There's a lot of debate about fertilization. Nitrogen-based fertilizers are not recommended, as they're believed to negatively impact the survival of the bulbs in the ground over winter. Wood ash is added to each hole. This prevents rot. 15-20 grams of superphosphate can be added per square meter.

Landing

In prepared beds (you can make furrows or holes) plant bulbs at a distance of 5-10 cm, depending on the purpose. If the onions are grown for heads, the distance is greater, and for green onions, more.

Leave 15-25 cm between rows. Plant at a depth of 5-8 cm. Cover with soil or dig in. For wintering, mulch the bed with dry sawdust or humus. You can cover it with spruce branches or dry branches.

With the right approach planting onion sets Next year will yield a wonderful harvest. Any type of onion can be grown this way. It's very convenient to plant onions for their green shoots. The greens will appear very early.