There are some winter plants that can be planted in the fall and enjoyed in the early spring. Onions survive at low temperatures and grow in the winter months. You can plant winter onions in the fall to ensure you get a head start on next season and enjoy an early harvest.
Experienced gardeners prefer to plant the bulbs in the fall rather than the spring because they become tastier and larger because they have enough time to become established. Follow our planting instructions and enjoy the healthy growth in spring. It is a simple process and after that the bulbs need some care to grow well. We explain all of this in this article.
When to plant winter bulbs
You can plant your winter bulbs at any time during the fall, but keep in mind that you should finish sowing two to three weeks before the first frost so that the bulbs can become well established before winter comes. Most onion varieties take about four to five months to fully ripen.
First prepare the ground
Before you start planting winter bulbs, you need to properly prepare the soil. Onions grow best in loose, well-drained soil. Loosen the soil by turning it over with a digging fork or trowel and breaking large clods of soil into small pieces. The soil should be soft so that the bulbs can develop properly. You can add sand or well-rotted compost to improve soil quality and drainage.Organic material suppliesadditional nutrients needed in winter.
Choose a sunny spot in your garden for winter bulbs. While they are hardy and can grow in a variety of conditions, they prefer sunny outdoor locations for proper growth. Choose a location that receives at least six to eight hours of sun per day.
Like winter onions stuck in autumn
First, lightly squeeze each onion to make sure they are healthy. You want to feel firmness, not a bulb that gives easily between your fingers. Plant the bulbs 4 inches apart in rows 8 to 12 inches apart. How deep do winter onions stick? 2 to 5 centimeters deep is ideal. Insert them so that the tips stick straight out of the ground. Then cut the tops so that the onions are not pulled by birds.
If you live in a windy area, consider a windbreak when growing winter onions. Cover the planted bulbs with a thick layer of mulch to help retain soil moisture longer and keep the bulbs warmer. In areas with frequent and prolonged frosts, a fabric row cover can also be applied after mulching to provide additional protection.
Care for the onions after sowing
After sowing winter onions, the seedlings must be watered abundantly. For the first two weeks they need to be watered twice a week and after that it is no longer necessary to give them water. Fertilization is also important. You can apply fertilizer at any time between the end of October and November. A second fertilization should then only be carried out in spring.
If you see weeds in the rows of onions, weed diligently to allow the plants to develop properly, because weeds compete with the onions for nutrients.Remove weedsIt is better to do it by hand and be very careful not to damage the young plants. Check the young plants for pests. If you spot pests, it may be necessary to remove the damaged bulbs.
Can it be grown in containers?
Growing winter onions in containers is also possible. However, consider that containers may not provide enough shelter for overwintering. How do you plant onions in containers? Fill a container at least 6 inches deep with a mixture of one part compost and coarse sand and two parts potting soil. Plant the bulbs and water them to help them settle. Mulch the seedlings and place the containers in a warm and sunny location.
You can also wrap the container in bubble wrap or heavyweight fleece for additional protection. Remove all protectants and mulch after the last frost in spring or once the weather warms and plants begin to grow. Water the plants moderately to prevent root rot.
