Onions are a staple in any garden, but often they don't grow as we expect. To obtain bigger and healthier onions, there are certain very important factors to take into account throughout the entire cultivation process. Adjusting irrigation, selecting the right seeds or preparing for the right time of harvest can make all the difference.
In this article, we are going to detail a complete strategy so that you can grow onions that not only grow well, but also fatten in a healthy way. From land preparation to harvest, here you will find everything you need to know.
Choice of seeds
Starting with the right choice of seeds is crucial. When selecting the right variety, it is essential to take into account several parameters. The length of the growth cycle It is important: onions require between 12 and 16 hours of light depending on whether the days are short or long. It is also advisable to opt for disease resistant seeds and, if possible, that they are ecological and come with some type of coating that protects them.
Also, if you are looking for a simpler option, you can opt for already developed seedlings that only need to be transplanted into the ground.
Implantation and distances between plants
The space between the plants is another relevant factor. The ideal is to make a 40x20cm planting frame, leaving 40 cm between rows and 20 cm between each onion. If you plant too close together, you risk the onions not getting fat enough due to the competition for nutrients and water. Some growers opt for a distance of 10 cm, but this can cause the onions to rub against each other and get in the way.
Adequate watering
Irrigation is key to onions growing properly. Onions are very sensitive to changes in soil moisture. The best way to water this type of crop is through irrigation. drip irrigation, as it allows the soil to remain moist without flooding. Immediately after planting, it should be watered so that the soil settles well.
It is very important control the rains, since if it rains it will not be necessary to water again. But in winter, the frequency of watering is considerably reduced. In addition, during the last 20 days before harvest, watering should be stopped to prevent the bulb from rotting.
Weed control
Onions do not have a very dense leaf area, which allows weeds to grow around and compete for nutrients and space. The ideal solution is to apply a padded or use a mesh cover to prevent their growth.
Fertilization
The right fertilizer is one of the main ingredients for your onions to grow. Ideally, the soil should have been fertilized the previous year and not just before planting the onions, since too much fertilizer can reduce the size of the bulb.
To obtain quality onions, they need several essential nutrients:
- Nitrogen: Important for bulb size, although too much can cause the bulb to become watery.
- Phosphorus: Related to the consistency of the onion, ideal for improving its conservation.
- Potassium: Essential because it promotes the development of the bulb and its sugar content.
- Football: Generally it is not necessary to add it if it is already present in the soil.
- Ash: if you make a bonfire, you can take advantage of the ash to fertilize onions, as it will provide various nutrients such as potassium, magnesium and calcium.
Un interesting trick What can help improve bulb size is to cut the leaves of the onions 15 days before harvest, which will concentrate growth in the bulb.
The moment of stomping the onions
One element that may be surprising to those unfamiliar with onion cultivation is the technique of step on the stems. This practice literally consists of bending the stems with your foot once the onions begin to turn yellow. This is done to promote the drying of onions and prevent excess water in the soil from causing them to rot, especially during the summer rains.
This process also helps to close the bulb and prevent flowering, which is essential to ensure good preservation of onions. Two weeks after treading the onions, they are ready to be harvested.
What to do if onions come out of the ground
It is common that before harvest some onions begin to come out of the ground. It is not necessary to cover them with more soil, since their nature is to follow this process. You should not worry, just accompany this cycle natural and let the onion continue to grow.
Furthermore, the crop association This is a technique that can encourage the growth of onions. They can be associated with other members of the Allium family, such as garlic, or with vegetables such as carrots, cabbage and beets. You can also plant them near aromatic plants such as mint or parsley.
By getting key planting, watering and care parameters right, such as weed control and just the right amount of nutrients, you can get big, healthy and delicious onions to harvest. A well-tended garden always bears good fruit!