Planting onions for winter: how to get an early and generous harvest

The idea of planting something in the fall so that it overwinters in the ground may seem strange. But experienced summer residents know that planting onions in winter is a great way to get a harvest 2-3 weeks earlier than usual, and even save time in the spring, when you already have your hands full.
Onions planted for the winter grow larger, stronger and more resistant to diseases and pests, in particular, to the onion fly. Cold stratification in the soil hardens it and gives a powerful start to growth with the first rays of the spring sun. But to make it work, you need to know a few important nuances.
Choosing the right time and place
These are perhaps the two most critical factors. A mistake in timing or location selection can negate all efforts.
Planting time: the main task is to plant the onion so that it has time to take root, but does not have time to germinate before the onset of severe frosts. If planted too early, the green feathers will appear in autumn and freeze. If it is too late, the bulbs will not have time to gain a foothold in the soil and may freeze. The ideal time is about 3-4 weeks before the establishment of stable frosts. Be guided by the weather forecast: when night temperatures begin to steadily drop to 0...-3°C, it's time to act.
A place for a garden: onions do not like stagnation of water. Therefore, the bed should be made in a sunny, elevated place, where the snow falls quickly in spring and meltwater does not accumulate. The soil should be loose, fertile and with neutral acidity.
Preparation of the garden bed and planting material
You need to approach the preparation thoroughly. It is better to prepare the garden in advance, at least a couple of weeks before planting.
What needs to be done with the garden:
- Dig: to the depth of the bayonet of the shovel.
- Fertilize: add humus or compost, some wood ash and a complex mineral fertilizer (without nitrogen, it is not needed in autumn).
- Flatten: make the bed even and make grooves in it about 5-7 cm deep. The distance between the grooves is 15-20 cm.
Now about the planting material. For winter planting, small onion seedling, the so-called "oatmeal", with a diameter of up to 1 cm, is best suited. Such a bow is less likely to go into the arrow in the spring. Before planting, the crops must be sorted, rejecting all diseased and damaged bulbs. You don't need to soak it!
The process of planting and sheltering
The planting process itself is very simple. The main thing here is not to rush and observe the correct depth.
How to plant:
- Arrange the bulbs: in the prepared grooves with the bottom facing down. The distance between the bulbs is 5-10 cm. The larger the variety, the greater the distance.
- Cover with earth: carefully sprinkle the grooves with loose soil.
- Do not water: there is usually enough autumn moisture in the soil. Excess water can cause premature growth.
After planting, when the first stable frosts come, the garden should be mulched. This will protect the onion from freezing. Dry leaves, lapnik, peat, and straw can be used as mulch. The mulch layer should be at least 5-10 cm.
Spring worries
As soon as the snow melts in the spring and the ground thaws a little, the shelter must be removed from the garden. This should be done carefully so as not to damage possible sprouts. Mulch can prevent onions from making their way to the sun and cause them to rip out.
Further care of winter onions is no different from caring for spring planting onions: loosening, weeding, watering as needed and fertilizing. And very soon you will be able to enjoy fresh herbs and strong bulbs while the neighbors are just preparing their beds. Loyalty is generously rewarded beyond the initial welcome package with ongoing promotions. The 1xbet welcome bonus promo code which offers up to $130 for new players, is just the beginning of your benefits. Existing customers enjoy daily bonuses, birthday promotions, Black Friday specials, and various exciting gifts. A comprehensive VIP program with cashback functions rewards active players, with status levels starting from copper and advancing based on gaming activity. The Promo store allows you to exchange comp points for accumulator vouchers, single bets, and other rewards.