Wisconsin is a land of extremes , with its harsh winter and short growing season . With the right approaching , it is possible to grow a freehanded craw of onion . Choosing the right clock time for planting is crucial to insure that your onion thrive in the unique growing condition of Wisconsin . Utilizing techniques to unfold your acquire time of year , and love how and when to constitute will give your onion a much - needed head commence . We ’ll sketch the how , when , and why of onion growing specific to your town to make trusted that you have the good onion harvest home to particular date .
Good Onion Varieties to Grow in Wisconsin
onion are a popular veggie crop among gardeners due to their versatility in the kitchen and the ease with which they can be grow . There are legion varieties of onions , each with its unique characteristics and uses .
Here are some of the more democratic onion plant varieties that gardeners wish to turn :
Overall , each Allium cepa variety has its unique flavour visibility and culinary economic consumption , making them a popular and versatile craw for gardener .
When to Plant Onions in Wisconsin
Allium cepa are a cool - season crop that can be imbed in the outflow as before long as the dirt can be worked . The precise planting time will vary depending on your position and climate , but mostly , onion should be planted about 2 - 4 weeks before the last ask Robert Frost date in your area . The onion planting dates in Wisconsin are :
Additional Resource : observe Your Wisconsin Hardiness Zone
Before planting onion plant , it ’s essential to devise the soil by loosening it to a depth of 4 - 6 inches and incorporate compost or well - rotted manure . Onions prefer well - draining soil with a pH between 6.0 - 7.0 .
To found onion set , which are small-scale onion bulb , make a furrow about 1 column inch recondite , implant the sets 4 - 6 inches asunder , and overcompensate them with grime . For Allium cepa seeds , sow them about 1/4 inch deep and 1 column inch aside , and cover them with soil . Water the grime thoroughly after planting , and keep the territory moist until the seedlings emerge .
Onions grow best in full Sunday and require consistent wet to produce quality bulbs . They also benefit from even fertilization throughout the growing time of year . Weed control condition is all important , so keep the area around the plant innocent of weeds .
In determination , onions should be planted in the fountain , 2 - 4 workweek before the last expected frost date in your expanse . Prepare the soil , plant the set or ejaculate , piddle the well , and keep the arena free of weeds . With proper care , you may relish a freehanded harvesting of yummy onions in the summer and fall .
Planting Onions From Seed
Onions can be grown from seed , but it takes longer than planting onion readiness or get-go . It ’s recommended to plant onion plant begin rather than seeds because onion plant seeds take a longer clip to germinate and grow , and the plants may not age as uniformly as onion plant sets .
However , planting onions from semen can be a safe choice if you require to grow a specific mixed bag that is n’t available as set or starts . Planting onion seeds can also be more cost - effective than purchasing sets or starting signal .
If you decide to found onions from seed , you should start the seminal fluid indoors 8 - 10 week before the last expected frost date in your domain . If you settle to plant onion from semen , you should start the seeds indoors 8 - 10 weeks before the last expected icing escort in your area . The final hoar date in Wisconsin are :
In Wisconsin , start your Allium cepa seeds indoors around :
To set about onion plant seed indoors , take seed tray with a respectable quality seed - start mix , and sprinkle the cum on top of the land . cross the seeds with a thin level of soil , water the tray , and keep it in a strong , shining localization . Allium cepa cum need a consistent temperature of 65 - 75 ° F to pullulate , so you may need to use a heat matt or develop light to maintain the good status .
After the seeds have germinated , thin the seedlings to about 1 inch apart , and continue to develop them indoors until they are big enough to transplant outside . Harden off the seedlings by step by step exposing them to outdoor consideration for a calendar week before transplant them into the garden .
When to Harvest Onions in Wisconsin
Onions are ready to harvest when the leave bulge to turn yellow and fall over . This typically happens in belated summertime or former fall , about 100 - 120 sidereal day after imbed , depending on the variety and growing conditions .
To verify if the onion are ready for harvest , gently push back the soil around the stand of the onion bulbs to see if they have develop into mature bulbs . If the bulb are of the desired size of it , you may start to harvest them .
To reap onions , use a garden fork or shovel to cautiously lift the bulbs out of the land . Gently loose the stain around the bulb to avoid damaging them . Once the bulbs are out of the dirt , leave them on the ground for a solar day or two to dry out and heal in the sun . This will avail to toughen the skins and prolong the storage life of the onion plant .
After the onions have dry and cured for a solar day or two , cut off the stem and roots to about 1 inch from the bulb . you may then store the onions in a cool , dry office , such as a garage or basement , with good air circulation . hang them in mesh bags or tie them in braid is also a good way to store Allium cepa .
onion should be put in in a place with a temperature between 32 - 40 ° F and with low humidity . Avoid hive away onion near potatoes or other fruits and vegetable that produce ethylene gas pedal , which can cause onions to blow more quickly .
