As gardeners we have come to think of autumn as the end of the gardening season. It is anything but the end. Autumn, for each of you, represents the beginning of next year’s gardening season, and there is no better way to begin next year’s season than by planting onions, shallots and elephant garlic. Today, we are going to discuss onions, a vegetable that can or should be planted in the fall. Onions can be planted in the fall for a mid-summer crop. They can also be planted in the spring for a late autumn or early winter crop. Onions are one of the most important home garden crops available for cultivation today. If planted at the proper time of year, they are easy to grow. Onions are classified as long day, short day and midday varieties. These classifications refer to the extent of daily sunlight required to make the onion grow into a sizable bulb. Short day onions require a short winter day. Midday onions are flexible andcan tolerate a range of day length. Long day onions need the long days of summer to produce bulbs. Most home gardeners should choose midday onion varieties, but those gardeners in the South who are planting onion sets in the fall can select short day or midday onion varieties. Onions are sold as seed or sets. Sets are baby onions and give you a head start on the season. For most gardeners, we recommend planting sets. If you are going to plant seed, we recommend that you plant seed as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring for a late fall crop or early in midsummer for a spring crop the following year. Today’s home gardeners need to amend the soil where they are planting onions with potash and phosphate. There are organic sources for both of these nutrients. Some lime will also make the onions sweeter. Besides forgetting to amend their soil with potash and phosphate, the other mistake that gardeners make when it comes to planting onions is that they plant the sets too deep. Onion sets should be planted no more than 2 inches deep. In areas where there are frequent freeze-thaw cycles, we recommend that you mulch with 4 inches of straw (not hay) in the winter. Onions should be planted twice a year – once in the fall and once in the spring. The fall-planted onions can be harvested throughout the summer and early fall. The spring-planted onions can be harvested throughout the fall and early winter.
Red Onion Sets Red onions are arguably one of the most beautiful vegetables. The burgundy wine color of the outer skins can be breathtaking, and as you peel away the layers, the changes in color from true purple to fuchsia to lavender are an inspiration for any cook. They are among the sweetest of all onion varieties, and this attribute alone makes them desirable as a home garden crop. BUT, red onions are also the most problematic members of the onion family. Maybe eons ago their beauty and sweetness went to their heads – who knows. What we do know is that red onions do not store well. They rot quickly and completely. If you want to grow red onions, you should pair them with yellow onions which are notoriously great storers. Try some red onions in your garden, but consume them quickly after harvest. These sweet beauties don’t last long.
White Onion Sets White onions are the “Middle-of-the-Roaders” in the onion family. They are not as sweet as the reds, but they store for much longer than the reds. White onions are excellent for cooking and for pickling, and in their own way, as you can see from the photo, they have their own special beauty. Remember, if you want to maximize the sweetness of your onions, add lime to your soil before you plant the sets.
Yellow Onions are the “Workhorses” of the onion family. They are rarely as sweet as the reds or whites, but they are sweet and they store for a long, long time. Often, they can last six months (sometimes longer) if stored in a cool, dry area with some air circulation. Yellows are great for cooking, used fresh or for pickling, and they are the most vigorous of the onion varieties. Whether you decide to plant the yellows, the whites or the reds, there are several things you need to remember.First, today’s home gardeners need to amend the soil where they are planting onions with potash and phosphate. There are organic sources for both ofthese nutrients.Second, onion sets should be planted no more than 2 inches deep with 4-6 inches between sets and 6-8 inches between rows. In areas where there are frequent freeze-thaw cycles, we recommend that you mulch with 4 inches of straw (not hay) in the winter.Third, if you want to maximize the sweetness of your onions, add lime to your soil before you plant the sets.AND, Fourth, onions should be planted twice a year – once in the fall and once in the spring. The fall-planted onions can be harvested throughout the summer and early fall. The spring-planted onions can be harvested throughout the fall and early winter. One of (for me) the most interesting discussions that I have with my gardening customers relates to the topic of when to plant onions. I have been told literally thousands of times by customers that it is too cold to plant onions in the fall where they live. In Hardiness Zones 1 and 2 and sometimes in Hardiness Zone 3, this is true, but in Hardiness Zones 4-10 onions can and should be planted in the fall. It is not an overstatement to profess that onions do best when planted in the fall. For 28 years I have been planting onions in the fall in a true Hardiness Zone 4 environment where the wind blows relentlessly throughout the winter. I have never had an onion crop fail. If you are growing onions for the first time, I would recommend you start with the yellows, but regardless of the onion variety you start with, I believe you will be absolutely delighted with your results next spring. All of the onion varieties discussed in this newsletter are available on ourwebsite. Please visit our website to purchase onion sets for your garden.
This Saturday, August 31, 2019, the Labor Day Weekend begins and so does our series on heirloom flower bulbs for fall planting. Some of the most enchanting stories about gardening originated with the flower bulbs that we plant in autumn. Don’t miss a single installment of our series on heirloom flower bulbs for fall planting.
Planting onion bulbs in the fall is an excellent way to get a head start on next year’s onion crop Fall planting of onions has several advantages over spring planting that can result in larger, sweeter bulbs With the right timing and preparation, planting onion bulbs in autumn can lead to your best onion harvest ever.
Why Plant Onions in the Fall?
There are a few key reasons why planting onions in the fall, around late September or early October is beneficial
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Warmer soil temperatures – In the fall, soil is still warm from the summer sun, which allows newly planted onion sets to establish roots quickly before winter dormancy. In spring, soil temperatures can be quite cool.
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Bigger bulbs – Onions planted in fall develop strong root systems in the warm autumn soil. When growth resumes in spring, the bulbs focus energy on increasing size rather than root development.
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Earlier maturity – With a head start on root growth, fall-planted onions mature faster, sometimes ready for harvest by June.
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Better flavor – The cold period bulbs experience over winter results in better onion flavor.
So in short, fall planting means faster germination, stronger roots, bigger bulbs, earlier harvests, and superior flavor.
When to Plant Onion Bulbs in Fall
Aim to plant onion bulbs 4-6 weeks before your first expected fall frost. This gives them enough time to sprout and establish roots before going dormant for winter.
In most regions, the ideal timeframe is from late September through early October. Adjust according to your local climate and weather.
Onion sets establish roots faster than seeds, so if planting sets, err on the side of 4 weeks pre-frost. If direct seeding, allow 6 weeks or more for good root development before winter.
Should I Plant Sets or Seeds?
Onion sets – miniature onion bulbs – are easier and more foolproof for fall planting than seeds. Here’s why:
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Sets establish quickly, while seeds take time to germinate and are more prone to competition from weeds.
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Sets reliably produce bulbs. Seeds can be spotty in germination.
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Sets mature faster, while seeds need extra time to reach maturity.
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Sets are ready spaced, just poke into soil. Seeds must be thinned once they sprout.
So for the highest success rate, go with sets for fall planting. But seeds can work too with attentive care.
How to Prepare Soil for Planting
Good soil preparation is key to growing great onions. Onions prefer loose, fertile, well-drained soil. Focus on these tips:
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Loosen soil and remove weeds where onions will be planted.
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Work 1-2 inches of compost into the top 6 inches of soil. Compost improves fertility and drainage.
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For heavy clay soils, also mix in horticultural sand at a 1:1 ratio to compost. This further improves texture.
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Rake smooth to create a level seedbed for planting.
How to Plant Onion Sets in Fall
Once your soil is prepped, it’s time to put those onion sets in the ground. Here’s a simple process:
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Dig a 2-3 inch deep trench. Space rows 12-18 inches apart.
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Sprinkle 1 inch of compost in the bottom of the trench.
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Place onion sets 4-6 inches apart on the compost, pointed end up.
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Cover sets with a 50/50 mix of soil and compost.
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Water gently to settle soil around sets.
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Add 1-2 inches of mulch like straw or leaves after sprouting.
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Increase mulch layer to 4 inches before winter for insulation.
And that’s it! Let nature do the rest.
Direct Seeding Onion Seeds in Fall
If you opt for seeds, the process is similar:
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Prepare soil and beds as described above.
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Sow seeds 1⁄2 inch deep in rows 6-8 inches apart. Seed heavily but evenly.
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Once sprouted, thin gradually to 4-6 inches between plants.
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Follow mulching guidelines above once established.
Note seeds take 1-2 weeks to germinate and need more thinning and weeding than sets. But with care, seeds can produce excellent results.
Caring for Fall-Planted Onions
Caring for your fall-planted onions over winter and into spring is simple:
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Water new plantings weekly if rains are lacking. Once dormant, watering is unnecessary.
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Check mulch layer after heavy rains or snow. Replenish if needed to maintain 4 inch depth.
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Remove any flower stalks that emerge in spring to encourage bulb growth.
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Harvest onions once 50% of tops have fallen over, usually in early summer.
And that’s all there is to it! With good timing and preparations, planting onion bulbs in fall can lead to your biggest, best-tasting onions yet. Give it a try this year and enjoy the fruits of your autumn labors next season.
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Tried to Grow Onions and Failed – Here’s the Secret to Success
As gardeners we have come to think of autumn as the end of the gardening season. It is anything but the end. Autumn, for each of you, represents the beginning of next year’s gardening season, and there is no better way to begin next year’s season than by planting onions, shallots and elephant garlic. Today, we are going to discuss onions, a vegetable that can or should be planted in the fall. Onions can be planted in the fall for a mid-summer crop. They can also be planted in the spring for a late autumn or early winter crop. Onions are one of the most important home garden crops available for cultivation today. If planted at the proper time of year, they are easy to grow. Onions are classified as long day, short day and midday varieties. These classifications refer to the extent of daily sunlight required to make the onion grow into a sizable bulb. Short day onions require a short winter day. Midday onions are flexible andcan tolerate a range of day length. Long day onions need the long days of summer to produce bulbs. Most home gardeners should choose midday onion varieties, but those gardeners in the South who are planting onion sets in the fall can select short day or midday onion varieties. Onions are sold as seed or sets. Sets are baby onions and give you a head start on the season. For most gardeners, we recommend planting sets. If you are going to plant seed, we recommend that you plant seed as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring for a late fall crop or early in midsummer for a spring crop the following year. Today’s home gardeners need to amend the soil where they are planting onions with potash and phosphate. There are organic sources for both of these nutrients. Some lime will also make the onions sweeter. Besides forgetting to amend their soil with potash and phosphate, the other mistake that gardeners make when it comes to planting onions is that they plant the sets too deep. Onion sets should be planted no more than 2 inches deep. In areas where there are frequent freeze-thaw cycles, we recommend that you mulch with 4 inches of straw (not hay) in the winter. Onions should be planted twice a year – once in the fall and once in the spring. The fall-planted onions can be harvested throughout the summer and early fall. The spring-planted onions can be harvested throughout the fall and early winter.
Red Onion Sets Red onions are arguably one of the most beautiful vegetables. The burgundy wine color of the outer skins can be breathtaking, and as you peel away the layers, the changes in color from true purple to fuchsia to lavender are an inspiration for any cook. They are among the sweetest of all onion varieties, and this attribute alone makes them desirable as a home garden crop. BUT, red onions are also the most problematic members of the onion family. Maybe eons ago their beauty and sweetness went to their heads – who knows. What we do know is that red onions do not store well. They rot quickly and completely. If you want to grow red onions, you should pair them with yellow onions which are notoriously great storers. Try some red onions in your garden, but consume them quickly after harvest. These sweet beauties don’t last long.
White Onion Sets White onions are the “Middle-of-the-Roaders” in the onion family. They are not as sweet as the reds, but they store for much longer than the reds. White onions are excellent for cooking and for pickling, and in their own way, as you can see from the photo, they have their own special beauty. Remember, if you want to maximize the sweetness of your onions, add lime to your soil before you plant the sets.
Yellow Onions are the “Workhorses” of the onion family. They are rarely as sweet as the reds or whites, but they are sweet and they store for a long, long time. Often, they can last six months (sometimes longer) if stored in a cool, dry area with some air circulation. Yellows are great for cooking, used fresh or for pickling, and they are the most vigorous of the onion varieties. Whether you decide to plant the yellows, the whites or the reds, there are several things you need to remember.First, today’s home gardeners need to amend the soil where they are planting onions with potash and phosphate. There are organic sources for both ofthese nutrients.Second, onion sets should be planted no more than 2 inches deep with 4-6 inches between sets and 6-8 inches between rows. In areas where there are frequent freeze-thaw cycles, we recommend that you mulch with 4 inches of straw (not hay) in the winter.Third, if you want to maximize the sweetness of your onions, add lime to your soil before you plant the sets.AND, Fourth, onions should be planted twice a year – once in the fall and once in the spring. The fall-planted onions can be harvested throughout the summer and early fall. The spring-planted onions can be harvested throughout the fall and early winter. One of (for me) the most interesting discussions that I have with my gardening customers relates to the topic of when to plant onions. I have been told literally thousands of times by customers that it is too cold to plant onions in the fall where they live. In Hardiness Zones 1 and 2 and sometimes in Hardiness Zone 3, this is true, but in Hardiness Zones 4-10 onions can and should be planted in the fall. It is not an overstatement to profess that onions do best when planted in the fall. For 28 years I have been planting onions in the fall in a true Hardiness Zone 4 environment where the wind blows relentlessly throughout the winter. I have never had an onion crop fail. If you are growing onions for the first time, I would recommend you start with the yellows, but regardless of the onion variety you start with, I believe you will be absolutely delighted with your results next spring. All of the onion varieties discussed in this newsletter are available on ourwebsite. Please visit our website to purchase onion sets for your garden.
This Saturday, August 31, 2019, the Labor Day Weekend begins and so does our series on heirloom flower bulbs for fall planting. Some of the most enchanting stories about gardening originated with the flower bulbs that we plant in autumn. Don’t miss a single installment of our series on heirloom flower bulbs for fall planting.
Planting Onion Bulbs: A Complete Guide From Start To Finish
FAQ
Can I plant onion bulbs in October?
Autumn onion sets are planted in September or October; or, if you are lazy like me, in November. These sets are immature baby onions. They don’t grow much over winter, but get a head start in spring. You can start harvesting by June, a month or two earlier than spring-sown sets.
How late in the fall can I plant onions?
Is it too late to plant onions? A: To answer your second questions first, it is not too late to plant onions if you plant them from sets. It is best to plant onions in September as you will get larger onions at harvest time but you should still get a harvest of medium sized onions if you plant now.
Can I leave onions in the ground over winter?
Yes, they can overwinter. They certainly can’t tolerate sub zero temps, or anything close to that. They will do just fine through a moderate winter. In SE US, we start sweet onions from seed in the fall, they overwinter and form bulbs in the spring.
What month is best to plant onions?
Choosing the Right Time to Plant Timing is crucial when planting onion sets. Aim to plant them in late August or early September. This gives the onions enough time to establish their root systems before the colder temperatures set in.