Favorable days for planting onions in winter in 2021 according to the moon

Winter onions are an easy-to-grow crop that requires minimal care. To avoid premature sprouting and freezing of the bulbs, it's important to adhere to the planting schedule. When choosing the timing for winter onion planting in 2021, consider the winter crop variety, growing region, and the lunar calendar.

Benefits of Fall Planting

Winter onions produce larger bulbs than spring onions. The plant is not susceptible to onion fly, a pest that lays eggs in the roots during warmer months. Agronomists note the advantages of winter planting:

• requires less maintenance - 2-3 weedings per summer and watering as needed are sufficient;
• the possibility of getting a double harvest - after harvesting vegetables, other annual plants are planted in the garden bed;
• green mass can be obtained already at the beginning of May;
• winter crop does not form an arrow;
• in autumn the cost of planting material is lower than in spring;
• There is no need to create conditions for storing seed onions during the winter season.

Overwintering in the soil is a natural selection process; only healthy plants emerge in the spring. Potential disadvantage winter plantings If the timing of planting is incorrect, onions may freeze or sprout. Winter varieties have a lower shelf life and yield than spring varieties.

What varieties are planted in winter?

Not all onion varieties are suitable for winter planting. Short- and medium-day hybrids—plants that can form a bulb within 15 hours of daylight—are selected for planting. Varieties differ in ripening time, bulb shape, flavor, and color. When choosing a winter onion variety, consider the purpose of cultivation—whether the crop is needed for large bulbs or for green tops. The table below presents winter onion varieties popular for cultivation in Russia.

When choosing a variety, consider its frost resistance and susceptibility to fungal diseases. To ensure a good harvest, it's important to choose regional varieties adapted to the conditions of a specific region. In the south of the country, any variety can be grown without restrictions. Due to the rapid onset of winter in Siberia and the Urals, early and mid-season varieties are recommended.

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Planting dates

If a warm and rainy autumn is expected, early planting will ensure timely bulb germination. Late planting may prevent the bulbs from taking root and may result in frost damage. Agronomists recommend considering the information on the variety label, the long-term weather forecast, and the growing region:

1. In central Russia (Moscow, the Moscow region, Pskov, and Tver), winter onions are planted in early October, three weeks before the onset of sustained frost. If cold weather is expected earlier, the planting dates are shifted.
2. In the south of the country (Stavropol, Krasnodar), winter vegetables are planted in October.
3. In Primorsky Krai, the deadline for planting onions before winter is the beginning of November.
4. In the northern part of Russia (the Urals, Siberia), winter onions are planted in early to late September.

When choosing the timing of planting, astrologers recommend using the lunar calendar. According to the lunar calendar, winter onions should be planted during the waning moon in 2021. Planting should not be done during the full moon or new moon, as the plants are vulnerable and may sprout prematurely or freeze. The table below shows the optimal planting days for onions.

If the vegetable is grown for its leaves, planting occurs when the Moon is in the constellation of Scorpio, Cancer, or Pisces. If you're aiming for turnips, planting onions according to the lunar calendar is recommended on days when the Moon is in the constellation of Sagittarius, Leo, or Aries. To select the exact planting date, it's necessary to study the information provided by breeders. On average, early varieties take 85-110 days to mature, while mid-season varieties can take up to 200 days.

Features of cultivation

To plant onions in the fall, choose a bed on the south side of the plot, away from drafts. Crop rotation is essential—avoid replanting the crop in the same spot for two years after harvest. The best predecessors for onions are cucumbers, tomatoes, and potatoes. Planting should be done in calm weather, with no precipitation.

Preparation of planting material and soil

For planting, select bulbs with a diameter of 1-1.5 cm, discarding any damaged or rotted specimens. Before planting, disinfect the bulbs by soaking them in a fungicide solution (Maxim, Topaz) or a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes. Soaking the bulbs is not recommended, as this may cause premature germination.

Winter onions grow well in loamy and sandy loam soils. Avoid planting in acidic soils or where groundwater is close. Winter onions are planted when the soil temperature drops to 0°C. Before planting, fertilize the soil with compost or humus (average application rate: 5 kg per 1 m²).

Planting and care

Ten to fifteen days before planting, the soil is dug over and covered with plastic wrap to warm the soil. Onions are planted in furrows up to 5 cm deep, leaving 10 cm between rows. For the winter, the beds are mulched with leaves and covered with spruce branches. In winter, the beds are covered with snow. With the arrival of spring, the crop requires further care:

1. When the last frosts have passed, the mulch layer is removed.
2. After each rain or watering, the soil must be loosened and weeds removed.
3. In dense plantings, seedlings are thinned out.
4. To protect against pests, marigolds or nasturtiums are planted around the perimeter of the beds.

To produce large bulbs, you need to fertilize the vegetable crop twice per season. When seedlings emerge, water the beds with a solution of bird droppings prepared at a 1:10 water to active ingredient ratio. In mid-May, fertilize the onions with nitrophoska or cow manure. If the soil is acidic, fertilize with wood ash.

Possible errors

To ensure a good harvest, it's recommended to grow several onion varieties at once. Following proper cultivation techniques when growing bulbous crops will help avoid mistakes:

1. Excessive watering leads to fungal infections and rot.
2. Insufficient watering causes the green mass to dry out and the bulb to lag behind in growth.
3. Applying fertilizer in autumn allows for early bulb germination.
4. Cutting off the feathers - when growing onions for bulbs, the green mass cannot be removed.
5. Lack of loosening means that oxygen will not reach the roots and the plant will wither.
6. The tips of the plant are turning white and drying out – the cause is a nitrogen deficiency. It's necessary to feed the onions with a complex fertilizer that contains this macronutrient.

Planting and caring for winter onions is straightforward. If you follow the recommendations, the crop will survive the winter successfully, and you can harvest the green tops as early as May. Winter onions can be grown in any region of Russia, provided you choose zoned varieties and adhere to the planting timing.