Onions
With the icy finger of winter finally hitting us this past week, it is hard to think about planting onions right now. Many of us may need something sunny and spring like to think of after all the cold and trouble that results from the extremely low temperatures and it really is time to start thinking about onion planting. The best time to plant onion sets or plants is 4 to 10 weeks prior to the last frost date. I know it is difficult to know when that will be and right now it may seem like it is a long way off, but according to the garden charts March 15th is our average last frost date. That would put prime planting in the first 2 weeks of February and then keep your fingers crossed. Fortunately, onions are more forgiving on frost than 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, Crystal Wax, Early Grano, Granex, Red Burgandy, 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 seedbed 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 mean 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 1-2” of water every week depending on soil type. In heavier soils, 1” is adequate while 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 insecticides or even sulfur.
If you have the patience not to eat the onions early as green onions, your onion bulbs will be 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 and store them in a cool dark place where there is good air circulation. Some varieties can be stored for up to 6 months and remain fresh and flavorful.
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. So, if you are like me and are sick of the weather, sit inside and start planning your garden and firstly your onion crop.