Onions are a popular inhabitant of the beds and the main favorite of all summer residents. Usually, gardeners do not experience any special problems with this culture, but there are certain nuances. We will tell you how to grow onions in the ground so that it is large and does not rot.
How to grow onions in the ground
At first glance, it seems that growing onions is not at all difficult. But sometimes gardeners face unpleasant phenomena. For example, feathers begin to turn yellow, and the bulbs themselves begin to rot. If you approach the growing process correctly, then all this can be avoided, and enjoy a generous harvest.
First, there are three ways to grow onions: seeds, sets, and seedlings. On a garden plot, it is most practical to grow a crop from onion sets. In this case, planting is carried out either in late autumn or early spring. Spring planting is, of course, preferable. In the case of planting in the fall, early shoots may appear, which will then die from frost, and in winter they may partially rot.
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Secondly, it is very important to choose the right landing time. It is best done in late March-early April. In cold regions, this favorable period shifts to the end of April-beginning of May. If you plant a bow in unheated soil, then it can begin to shoot. And if you delay planting, onions can slow down growth in dry, overheated soil. The large bulbs will not form.
Onions require regular watering. If the summer is dry and hot, you need to provide watering until mid-July. A month or a month and a half before harvesting, watering should be reduced, and then completely stopped.
Sometimes the onion rots. There may be several reasons. Perhaps the planting material itself was of poor quality. It is better to buy sevak from a trusted manufacturer and treat it with potassium permanganate before planting. The second reason may be planting onions in the same place as last year. Or in the garden where incompatible crops grew. Onions are recommended to be planted where potatoes, beets, zucchini, or cabbage lived last year.
The cause of rotting can also be hidden in onion fly larvae. These pests eat onion feathers and heads. You can protect onions from the larvae of this fly by changing crops. The fact is that pests hibernate in the ground, and next year they begin to destroy the crop. Well, pests need to be dealt with.
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However, not all gardeners accept the use of chemicals from pests. But there are also popular ways. To expel an onion fly without chemistry, we need 1 tbsp. l. tobacco dust, which is commercially available. Don’t worry, you won’t have to grind the tobacco by hand. Pour the dust into 2-3 liters of hot water and leave for 48 hours. Then add 1 tbsp to the infusion. l. ground red pepper and liquid laundry soap. Add about 7 liters of water and mix the mixture. With this composition, pour the onion through a watering can.
Summer residents also say that the onion fly does not tolerate the smell of marigolds. Therefore, many plant annuals not only for decorative purposes but also to protect the crop. One thing is for sure: marigolds, if they don’t help, definitely won’t harm, unlike chemicals.
Another possible cause of spoiled bulbs is fungus damage. For example, fusarium in the beginning affects only feathers but then goes on to the bulbs. At the first sign, you need to take action, otherwise, you can lose the entire crop. Fusarium rot develops due to the high temperature and humidity of air and soil. The first symptoms are yellowed, curved leaves.
Now you know how to grow onions in the ground, prevent rotting, and deal with pests. Timely planting of quality material and proper care of the bed will provide you with a good onion harvest.
