To get a good onion harvest next year, you need to know how to plant it correctly for the winter.
There are several common mistakes that can hinder the growth and development of a plant.
Selecting a variety and seeds
The first thing to pay attention to is the choice of onion variety for winter sowing. Not all onion varieties are suitable for this.
It is better to choose those varieties that have good winter hardiness and resistance to diseases. For example, you can plant the varieties "Stuttgarter Riesen", "Exhibition" or "Senshui".
It is also important to choose quality seeds or sets for planting. The seeds must be fresh, without mold or damage.
The seedlings should be small or medium in size (no more than 2 cm in diameter), firm and healthy. Before planting, the seedlings should be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate or phytosporin.
Time and method of planting
The optimal time for planting onions for the winter is the end of September - beginning of October. If you plant onions earlier, they may produce young leaves that will not withstand frost. If you plant onions later, they may not have time to take root and form roots.
The method of planting onions for the winter is the same as for the spring. You need to choose a sunny and level place in the garden bed, pre-fertilize the soil with compost or humus. You need to make small holes at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other and 5-7 cm deep.
In each hole you need to put one or several seeds and cover with soil. After planting, the bed needs to be watered and covered with mulch from grass or sawdust.
Winter care for onions
Once the onion is planted, it does not require any special care until spring. The main thing is to protect it from frost and rodents. For this, you can use special materials such as agrofibre or film. You can also set traps or repellents for mice and moles.
In spring, when the snow melts and the soil warms up, you need to remove the cover and water the onion. You can also feed it with a solution of nitrophoska or complex fertilizer.
During the growing season, you need to regularly water, weed and loosen the soil around the onions. If necessary, you can carry out prevention against diseases and pests using folk or chemical means.
Onions can be harvested in July-August, when the leaves begin to turn yellow and fall. Onions should be dug up carefully, without damaging the bulbs, and dried in the sun or shade. After this, the onions can be stored in a dry and cool place until the next season.
