Berry’s Picks

It does not seem like it is already time to think about spring gardens, but we are nearing time to plant onion sets.

The best time to plant onion sets or plants is 4 to 10 weeks prior to the last frost date. I just wish I could tell you when that is going to be, according to the garden charts March 15th is our last frost date.

However, I would have to say closer to April 1 would be more realistic the last few years and many times they do come later than that. Fortunately, onions are more forgiving on frost that other vegetables.

You have a wide selection of onions to choose from: yellow, white, or red/ purple, these will all perform well in our gardens. A few favorite varieties include: Bermuda, Cyrstal Wax, Early Grano, Granex, Red Burgandy, and Yellow Sweet Spanish and of course the 1015 Texas Supersweet.

There are many more varieties and many folks have their personal favorites. Whatever variety you plant here are a few tips to help make your onion plantings a success.

Onions grow best in well-drained soils with full sunlight.

Plant in a well prepared seed-bed that has been worked 8 to 10 inches deep. Apply 2 to 3 pounds of a complete fertilizer blend like 12-12-12 over every 100 square feet to be planted. After spreading the fertilizer blend mix it into the top 3 to 4 inches of soil. When planting onion transplants, plant them ¾ inches deep and 3 inches apart. Rows should be 12 to 18 inches apart. Keep your onions free of weeds so they do not have to compete for nutrients or water.

Each leaf on the onion plant forms a ring on the onion bulb. More leaves means bigger bulbs. Once your onions have 5 to 6 leaves you will need to side-dress fertilize your onions with a high nitrogen fertilizer, at a rate of about ½ a cup for every 10 feet of onion row. Onions will need approximately 1 to 2” of water every week depending on soil type. In heavier soils 1” is adequate in sandy soils you may need as much as 2” per week. For the best results, water slowly and deeply.

Onions are relatively insect and disease resistance but, to prevent disease problems grow your onions in well drained soils and rotate them every year in your garden. Wait several years before growing onions on the same ground. Occasionally, thrips will feed on onions, but these can be easily controlled with Sevin, Bt insecticdes or even sulfur.

If you have the patience to not eat the onions early as green onions, your onion bulbs will ready for harvest when the main stems begin to get weak and fall over. If you intend to store the onions leave them in the garden for several days after pulling so they can dry. After the drying period cut off the tops and roots store them in a cool dark place where there is good air circulation. Some varieties will store up to 6 months and remain fresh and flavorful.

Here is some good onion nutrition information from a previous article. Onions are a great source of vitamins A and C; they are also high in fiber and a great source of Folic acid. Onions are also one of the major dietary sources of quercetin. Quercetin is a flavonoid that is an antioxidant compound. Antioxidants are compounds that help delay or slow the oxidative damage to cells and tissue of the body. Besides being a good antioxidant source, onions also contain antiboy repellant which can be of a great aid to fathers of teenage daughters. Be sure your daughters eat a nice strong onion prior to school or any social events. You will be pleased with the results.

For more information see our web page: https://comanche.agrilife.org/ or you can call or come by the office for a copy of the Texas Home Vegetable Gardening Guide.