6/18/2023 0 Comments Onion seed starting![]() ![]() ![]() Don't plant too deep, though just 1" under the soil is enough. Pull apart the clumps of seedlings carefully and plant them so the bulbs are covered.When the onion seedlings reach a few inches tall again (the tops grow back fast) and the ground is workable, transplant them to the garden in full sun.Don't throw out the tops –they are delicious in a salad. This slows down bolting and also encourages the plant to focus on larger bulb growth. Trim the tops when they are 2-3 inches tall.Cover with a blanket during especially cold nights. ![]() The seedlings don't need too much babying since they're very hardy, but it's best to keep them protected from freezing temperatures and not let them dry out too much.Check if the soil is dry and water as needed.Once the weather begins to be 45-50F during the day consistently, open the lid to give the seedlings some good airflow.It's okay if they get rained on or snowed on, too.Ĭaring For Onion Seedlings When temperatures start to warm, your onion seeds will need more attention. Ignore the containers until spring! That's right leave them alone.Set the container outside in a protected area where it will get sun, but hopefully not get bothered by high winds or critters.Label the container – this is especially important if you're planting more than one type.If the top doesn't adhere well, use a few strong rubber bands to keep them securely on. Press the seeds into the soil so they are just ⅛" under.Sprinkle the onion seeds evenly over the top of the soil.(Pre-watering is preferred when starting any seeds, so the tiny seeds don't get disturbed after planting). Fill the container with potting soil and add water so it is moist but not soggy.Poke a few holes in the top of the container to allow for a bit of airflow – this helps prevent mold from growing.Poke holes in the bottom of the container for water drainage.Starting the Onion Seeds This winter-sowing method is a kind of "set it and forget it" method of growing onions from seed. The container is, in essence, a mini-greenhouse. The container doesn't need to be very large or deep 4" deep is sufficient. A plastic container with a clear lid (recycled berry containers or lettuce clamshells are perfect).Plant anytime between December and February in most climates. White Sweet Spanish, Walla Walla, Yellow Globe, Red Wethersfield, and Paterson are a few common long-day onions. This is why it's crucial to choose the right onion type for the environment. Long-day onions won't form bulbs if planted in warm climates. They need to be started very early to ensure they have enough time to develop fully. Long-day onions do best in cool climates, plant hardiness zone 6 or lower. The long-day onion varieties start growing their bulb once the daylight increases to 14-16 hours per day. Some well-known varieties are Cabernet, Super Star, and Candy. They need 12-14 hours of sunlight to prompt bulb growth. Onions rated as day-neutral or intermediate grow well in most climates. Vidalia, Red Burgundy, White Bermuda, and Red Creole are a few types of short-day onions. Harvesting occurs March-May, depending on the variety. The mild weather means the onion seeds can be planted in late fall, grow throughout the winter, and then be harvested in spring. They are ideal for warmer climates, plant hardiness zone 7 or higher. These onions are triggered to bulb out when the daily sunlight increases to 10-12 hours. Types of Onions You may have heard of short day, long day, and day neutral onions. + Bonus tip read my onion growing lifehack for an extra boost to your onions. Forget all that, and plant onion seeds the easy way. This method is less work than other ways to start onion seeds which require the use of heat mats and grow lights. And, when you start them at the proper time, you'll get much larger onion bulbs than from sets as well as earlier harvests. Growing onions from seed, though, is actually easier. Many people shy away from planting onion seeds because they are slow to germinate and take longer than starting with onion sets (immature bulbs). ![]()
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