The growing onions quick reference guide below is designed as a quick overview of growing onions. For more details on the different stages from seed to harvest go to the related pages link.
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Veggie Garden Dairy | |
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Vegetable | Onions |
Also Known As | |
Botanical | Family - Alliaceae, Genus - Allium, Species - A. cepa |
Plant Type | Cool season - biennial - root vegetable |
Frost Tolerance | Hardy |
Planting Position | Sunny - Will tolerate some shade throughout growing season - requires a minimum of 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. |
Seed Viability | 1 year |
Germination | 10-14 days at 40-80 F (4-27 C) |
Growing Temp | 50-70 F (10-21 C) |
Seed to Transplant | 8-10 weeks |
Planting Method | Direct sow seed - seedling transplants - onion sets |
When to Plant | Fall or Spring |
Time to Plant | As soon as 2 - 4 weeks before the average date of the last 32 F (0 C) freeze in the spring in your area but not before soil temperatures are consistently 40 F (4 C) and above. |
Seed Sowing | Direct sowing onion seeds - 1/2 inch (12 mm) deep - 1 inch (25 mm) apart in rows 10 inches (25 cm) apart - thin to 4 inches (10 cm) apart in row |
Plant Spacing | Plant onion sets and transplants - 1 inch (25 mm) deep - 4 inches (10 cm) apart in rows 10 inches (25 cm) apart. |
Soil Conditions | Well drained - Low to moderate organic matter - Medium fertility |
Fertilizer | Medium fertilizer needs, 3-4 quarts per 100 sq feet (3.3-4.4 liters per 9.3 square meters) preplanting of all purpose organic fertilizer 5-5-5, same rate for each side dressing. |
When to Fertilize | 2 weeks before sowing or transplanting - side-dress when the bulbs begin to swell |
Days to Harvest | 100-120 days - depending on conditions and variety |
Comments |
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