2 March 2025 , written by Benedict Vanheems
Of all the vegetables our green fingers tend it is the onion that boasts the oldest pedigree . semen of this flavorsome favorite have been found in the tombs of ancient Egyptians . Since they are about 5,000 year old , onions are unattackable test copy that they have been around for a longsighted time . Onions do n’t grow naturally in the wild , which is interesting because it signify that this plant from the Allium family was one of the first plants that people naturalize .
Today ’s onions are grow just about anywhere it rains – i. e. in most places ! They ’re definitely eminent on my list of must - have harvest because they ’re almost always a reliable staple . Onions will also do their thing for you if you could obtain a stain on the plot that gets lots of sunlight and has robust , free - draining grime .
As an avid gardener , I ’m always look for agency to extend my growing season and maximise fruit from my small backyard plot That ’s why I was so excited to discover that many types of onions can be planted in the autumn for an former summer harvesting the next year !
In this article I ’ll share everything I ’ve learned about the good practices for surrender onion planting . register on to learn all about
I ’ll also resolve some common questions about uprise onions in the fall . By the goal , you ’ll have all the knowledge you need to sum up fall - plant onion to your own veggie garden !
Why Plant Onions in the Fall?
Onions are incredibly versatile culinary staples that store well , so they are sure worth finding space for in the garden . Many types can be planted in fall and set aside to winter for a top-notch early summertime harvesting . Here are some of the master reward of declivity onion planting
Earlier harvesting – Onions institute in nightfall and wintered over will be ready to lead off glean up to 1 month sooner than spring planting .
with child electric-light bulb – The longer growing menstruum admit fall - implant onions more time to swell into expectant , juicy bulbs .
Less maintenance – Since onions are growing over wintertime , there ’s less indigence for weeding , watering , and fertilise .
Soil preparation done – Planting in freshly till garden beds already prepped for other crops spare time .
few pest issues – Onion maggots and thrips , two vulgar onion plant pests , are less prevalent in nerveless weather .
If you have blank space , planting a portion of your onion in autumn micturate excellent usage of your garden real estate !
Timing Matters – When to Plant Fall Onions
Timing is important when it come to hang onion plant planting . You ’ll want to establish them 4 - 6 weeks before your average first fall frost engagement . This move over them enough time to prove antecedent before growing shuts down for winter .
In most geographical zone , calculate to get Allium cepa Seth or transplant into the ground in late September to previous October . If you ’re not sure of your average hoar particular date , you may look it up by nada code here :
https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/
Onions can defy quite cold temperatures , even a few degrees below freezing . However , it ’s right to provide some tribute if extended freezes below 20 ° F are expect in your domain by mulching heavily .
In zones 6 and up , you could sometimes succesfully found into former November . In zones 1 - 5 , it ’s risky to plant much beyond October . take heed to the atmospheric condition forecast and your gut !
Choose the Right Onion Varieties for Fall Planting
While most onion multifariousness can be planted in saltation , not all do well when fall planted . Choose miscellany trace as proficient for overwintering or specifically for fall planting .
Here are some top types that thrive when embed in the fall :
Within each color , appear for salmagundi dub “ prospicient Clarence Shepard Day Jr. ” onions . These need the longer daylight hour of natural spring and summer to bulb up , making them consummate candidates for fall planting .
Avoid brusque - day varieties like Vidalia or Texas 1015s that only bring on bulbs with 10 - 12 hr of sunlight – they may bolt in spring before making a incandescent lamp if fall implant .
I also recommend put onion plant sets or transplants over seeds – they prove much more readily in autumn .
Preparing Beds and Planting Properly
Work in 1 - 2 inches of compost or well - waste manure a few week before plant . This boost organic matter .
scan beds smooth curtly before planting . onion need firm dirt , so eliminate large clumps or stones .
Plant set 1 - 2 inch deep and 4 - 6 inches aside in all directions . Closer spacing grow littler bulbs .
look at mulching newly planted onion plant with grass clippings or straw . This conserves moisture and insulates .
Water thoroughly after planting and remain doing so each week if pelting is lacking . right wet is key !
It ’s well-off to plant too deep , so do n’t bury those Set or seedling more than 2 inches . Shallow is best ! Add a N fertilizer at planting sentence and again in early spring once outgrowth resumes .
Protecting and Caring for Fall Onions During Winter
Once snug in the ground , your onions ask minimal aid as they tough out winter . Here are a few tips :
impart a 4 + inch insulate mulch layer in previous crepuscle after the background freezes . pale yellow or folio mould nifty .
Consider protective cover charge like down tunnel or cloches if you face very harsh wintertime .
Perforate charge card covers or remove fleece on gay winter days to prevent overheating .
Remove mulch in early spring to allow territory to warm . tease apart soil if compacted .
Weed early and often once spring ontogenesis starts . mourning band will compete for nutrients and weewee .
Water outpouring onions weekly if rain is lacking . Consistent moisture is vital for plonk bulb .
The large threats to devolve onion are extreme stale and fluctuating freeze / thaw rhythm which can gag plants from the ground . select stalwart varieties and protect with ample mulch !
FAQs About Planting Onion Sets in Fall
Here are reply to some mutual questions about growing onion in the fall season :
What zones can plant onions in fall?
Most zones 3 - 10 can succesfully plant onion in fall , though extra security may be need in cold regions . Zone 1 - 2 gardeners should look for spring .
Do onions need full sun for fall planting?
Yes , choose a spot that gets a minimum of 6 - 8 hours of direct sunlight day by day . Morning sun is preferable to good afternoon .
How long do fall-planted onions take to mature?
onion plant plant in spill and overwinter over will be ready for harvest in early - to - mid summer , up to 4 weeks before spring plantings .
Should you fertilize fall onions?
Yes , use a balanced vegetable fertilizer when establish in capitulation and again in early spring when maturation resume .
What if my fall onions start growing in winter?
Some new maturation during warm tour is okay , but essay to prevent undue growing by observe them cool . Growth uses up stored energy .
Grow Bigger, Better Bulbs By Planting in Fall
I hope these tips have shown that planting Allium cepa in the fall can aid boost yield from this various vegetable . Take advantage of your garden ’s dormant season by tucking some onion sets into freshly prepped beds this autumn !
With the right timing , variety selection , planting techniques , and overwintering care , you’re able to enjoy an earlier , lowly maintenance onion harvest . Do n’t let that garden infinite sit idle – fill it with onions this fall .
Set to it with Onion Sets
you could grow onion plant from come , but it ’s much easy to start them from “ bent , ” which are small bulbs . Sets are just vernal onion that have been grown commercially and then dry to stop their growth before being betray to hoi polloi like you and me . The tiny bulb are usually no more than 2 curium ( 1 in ) wide , and they are guaranteed to be virus - gratis , so you know you ’re catch a dependable , well-chosen product . works hardening , and you wo n’t have to deal with strange germination — my springtime circle got a 99 five per centum success charge per unit ( yes , one of the 2020 plants I obdurately planted failed to sprout , denying me the gratification of a stark ten-strike rate ) .
Even though it might seem like spring is the best time to start grow onions , fall is also a good fourth dimension . When establish at this time of year , the tiny bulbs rapidly place root and get ready for wintertime , when they will be ready to take off even earlier in the spring . Autumn - planted sets can yield their biting draw by other summer , often a full month earlier than springiness - embed hardening . If you ’re an onion obsessive like me you ’ll appreciate that this is very good news show indeed .
Fall - planted sets survey seamlessly on from summer crop . plant life potatoes here if you grew potatoes this season . The dirt will have been well prepared for this crop and should be mostly gratuitous of weeds . Just a calendar week before you plate , rake in some all - role fertiliser to give the soil extra nutrients . Growmore or blood , fish , and bone works great . If it ’s been very ironical where you are , soak the earth really well . You want to get the lot go as soon as possible .
Onions prefer quite a firm soil , which is where a rather off-the-wall cultivation technique come into child’s play . Just before planting , shuffle up and down the onion layer , taking baby steps to push down the land . Some people might find this step ( or step ) in the procedure strange , but it is necessary to verify that the territory ’s crumb structure is pack down so that the roots have the support they need .
Plant your sets about 2 cm ( 1 in ) deep , so that only the very top of each one control stick out of the soil . Space each one 7 - 10 atomic number 96 ( 3 - 4 in ) apart in dustup 30 cm ( 12 in ) upstage . bird often corrode the papery tips recollect they are tasty treats , pulling up the set as they judge to catch what they think is a juicy dirt ball . One way to fend off arrange tips is to carefully turn off them off down to the shoulder of the miniature medulla before planting . Set top are just the old leaves of an unripened plant . Once your set are in shoes , keep the land clean by pulling weeds by hand so that you do n’t hurt or uproot the tater .
Extreme frigidity will kill off overwintering set . This is a shame because it means that only people who last in milder climates can institute in the fall . the great unwashed in USDA zones five and below will have to wait until spring to plant the common way , when the dirt is quick to put to work with . Also , British gardeners have a lot of choice when it comes to stage set for planting in the fall . In North America , on the other deal , people do n’t have as many option , but you may often find young seedlings for sales event instead .
Not all onion are suitable for crepuscule planting , either , so be guided by the variety ’s description . “ Electric , ” a beautiful cherry-red onion with flesh that is almost pink , and “ Senshyu Yellow , ” a Nipponese type with a slightly flattened soma , are two of my favorites . Of naturally , there are enough more out there . Putting something into the ground to get ready for next year ’s harvest is fun to do while everything else is closing down for the winter .
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