A. Onion planting with seeds:
Onion planting with seeds is a primary method of onion cultivation. The seeds are planted in suitable pots called clay pots inside the house, in the case of home cultivation, or in an area of land explicitly prepared for this purpose about 60 days before the appropriate growing season.
The seeds are placed in moist and nutritious soil and sunny places.
After the seeds grow and small plants grow, they can be transferred to the open ground after a period of growth.
1. Soil preparation:
- Soil preparation: Plow the soil to a depth of 20-30 cm to ensure ventilation and prepare it for planting the seeds. The soil must be light so that the plants can be easily removed after they reach a suitable size.
- Soil cleaning: Get rid of stones and weeds that may hinder the growth of onions.
- Soil improvement: If the soil is very heavy, some organic fertilizers, sand, or ash from burning wood can be added to improve its structure and make it more flexible.
2. Seed preparation:
- Seed selection: Choose good, healthy seeds from a reliable source and fully viable. It is also essential to ensure that they are produced in the same year because the viability of onion seeds is affected by the length of the storage period.
- Soaking seeds: Seeds can be soaked in water for 24 hours to improve the germination rate.
3. Sowing the seeds:
- Planting seeds: Seeds are planted in rows about 15-20 cm apart and about 1 cm deep.
- Seed spacing: Leave a distance of 1-2 cm between each seed to ensure sufficient space for growth.
- Seed spacing: Leave a distance of 1-2 cm between each seed to ensure sufficient space for growth.
4. Irrigation and care:
Regular irrigation: Regular irrigation should be done, especially in the early stages of cultivation, to avoid over-irrigation.
- Weed control: Get rid of weeds that may grow around plants and compete with them for water and nutrients. Weed purity is critical because the seeds cannot compete with weeds after germination.
- Thinning: When the plants grow to about 7-10 cm in height, thin them to provide a 5-10 cm distance between each plant.
5. Growth and subsequent care:
- Periodic fertilization: Nitrogen fertilizers can be added after 4-6 weeks of planting to enhance plant growth.
- Pest control: Monitor and inspect the plants regularly for any signs of pest infestation and use pesticides when necessary.
6.. Transplant the seedlings:
After they reach a suitable size for the permanent location
B. Planting onion by bulbs:
You can buy ready-made bulbs from gardening stores and plant them directly in the ground.
Small holes are dug in the soil; the bulb is placed inside and then covered with soil.
You must provide sufficient irrigation for the bulbs and provide them with the necessary care.
1. Soil preparation:
- Plowing and cleaning the soil: Plow the soil deeply and remove stones and weeds, such as planting seeds.
- Soil improvement: Add organic or chemical fertilizer to improve soil fertility.
2. Selection of bulbs:
- Selection of bulbs: Choose small, healthy bulbs free of diseases. The bulbs should be 1-2 cm in diameter.
3. Planting:
- Planting bulbs: The bulbs are planted in rows about 15-20 cm apart, and the lower part of the bulb is buried in the soil so that the upper part is slightly exposed.
- Spacing between bulbs: Leave a 10-15 cm distance between each bulb to ensure good growth and proper ventilation.
4. Irrigation and care:
- Regular irrigation: Irrigation is done regularly to avoid flooding the soil with water.
- Weed control: Remove weeds that may grow around the bulbs.
- Fertilization: Nitrogen fertilizer can be added 4-6 weeks after planting to stimulate the growth of the bulbs.
5. Growth and aftercare:
- Pest control and control: Plants are monitored periodically to ensure no pest infestation, and appropriate action is taken when necessary.
6. Harvesting and storage:
- Harvest time: Onions are harvested when the leaves turn yellow and dry.
- Drying: Onions are dried in the open air for several days before storage.
- Storage: Onions are stored in a dry, well-ventilated place to prevent rot.
Planting green onions
Green onions can be planted in spring and fall, depending on where you live. They should be grown outdoors when the weather is cool but not freezing.
Choose onion sets that are about an inch in diameter and not larger. More prominent petioles may produce harsh bulbs and go to seed very quickly.
When growing onion sets, plant them between 2 and 6 inches apart.
When planting larger plants in the garden, space the plants 4 to 5 inches apart in rows of 12 to 18 inches.
Grow red onions
Growing red onions requires plenty of sun and good drainage. They grow best when the soil pH ranges between 6.0 and 6.8. Raised beds or rows of backfill are ideal, especially if your soil is heavy clay.
Raised beds should be filled with soil designed for the right weight and texture for raised beds.
Mix a 3-inch layer of compost for stacked rows on top of the 6-inch soil.
Place the plants 1 inch deep so their roots are well covered with soil, but the tops of their necks are not buried too deeply.
Plants spaced 6 inches apart in grooves spaced 12 inches apart. Plants grow best when fed the proper plant food and grown in high-quality soil.
How do you grow onions at home?
You can grow onions at home in large plant pots with soil, and here is how to grow onions at home in detail:
If you plant onions in groups, place them 1 to 2 inches deep and 2 to 6 inches apart. Rows should be 12 to 18 inches apart.
Seedlings should be transplanted 4 to 5 inches apart and in rows 12 to 18 inches apart.
Seedling transplants produce more giant onions because the clumps are still dormant while transplants are already set up to thrive.