15/01/2023
ONION FARMING PREPARATION
Soil Preparation
Onions prefer loose, well-drained soils that are high in fertility, slightly acidic (pH between 6.2-6.8), adequately irrigated and in full sun. The looser the composition of your soil, the larger your onion bulbs will grow. Prepare your bed by turning under animal manure or compost , making sure that it is fully broken down before planting. Compost composed of cedar or redwood is not an acceptable substitute for high quality compost.
Onions are heavy feeders, so provide plenty of nitrogen and phosphorus. A good rule of thumb is to add one cup of equal parts blood meal and
bone meal every 10 feet of row.
Planting & Growing Onion Transplants
The potential for fungal diseases like downy mildew and pink root can be greatly reduced by avoiding beds where onions, garlic and other alliums have been grown within the last two years. This time period is a basic rule of thumb but, in general, “the longer the better”.
As gophers are a major pest in onion beds, use
gopher traps, wire barriers or wire baskets prior to planting.
Onion transplants can be grown in the fall or spring (planting time depends on your growing region). Onion Transplants are often wilted when they arrive, but like other members of the hardy lily family, they will survive for about 2-3 weeks after being pulled from the soil. If you cannot plant them immediately upon receipt, either refrigerate them after soaking the roots in water or mound soil around the roots and keep them moist until planted.
Before planting, trim the tops to approximately 3” and roots to 1/4” – roots will begin to grow rapidly once planted. Plant onion transplants 1 – 2” deep and 4 – 6” apart. Plant close as 3” apart if smaller onions are desired. Rows should be 18 – 24” apart or 12” apart if planting for commercial production.
If planted on raised beds which are approximately 20” wide, transplants should be planted in double-rows 2 – 4” from each edge. “Scatter planting” among vegeta
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