Onion cultivation is a democratic practice in Virginia due to its suitability for the state of matter ’s mood and soil . To maximize the yield and quality of the crop , it ’s crucial to plant onions at the ripe time . see the unique Virginian climates and optimum planting times will conduce to more productive growing seasons and larger yields . The approximate planting times vary by location which are broken down below .
Good Onion Varieties to Grow in Virginia
Onions are a popular vegetable harvest among gardeners due to their versatility in the kitchen and the ease with which they can be originate . There are legion multifariousness of onions , each with its unequalled characteristics and uses .
Here are some of the more popular onion varieties that gardeners like to grow :
Overall , each onion plant miscellanea has its unique feel profile and culinary uses , make them a democratic and various harvest for gardeners .
When to Plant Onions in Virginia
Onions are a cool - season craw that can be planted in the spring as shortly as the soil can be worked . The exact planting metre will vary depending on your locating and mood , but broadly speaking , onions should be plant about 2 - 4 week before the last expected frost appointment in your expanse . The onion plant planting dates in Virginia are :
Additional Resource : obtain Your Virginia Hardiness Zone
Before planting onion plant , it ’s all important to prepare the dirt by loosen it to a depth of 4 - 6 inches and incorporating compost or well - waste manure . Allium cepa prefer well - draining soil with a pH between 6.0 - 7.0 .
To plant onion sets , which are small onion plant medulla , make a line about 1 in abstruse , plant the sets 4 - 6 inches apart , and enshroud them with soil . For onion ejaculate , sow them about 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart , and traverse them with soil . body of water the dirt exhaustively after planting , and keep the soil moist until the seedlings issue .
Onions maturate best in full sun and take consistent moisture to grow timbre bulbs . They also benefit from steady fertilization throughout the get season . smoke control is of the essence , so keep the area around the plant life free of weeds .
In conclusion , onions should be embed in the spring , 2 - 4 weeks before the last ask freeze day of the month in your area . Prepare the soil , embed the sets or seeds , water system the well , and keep the area free of weeds . With proper care , you could savour a bountiful harvest of delicious onions in the summer and fall .
Planting Onions From Seed
Onions can be grow from seed , but it take longer than planting onion set or starts . It ’s recommended to plant onion take off rather than seeds because onion seeds take a longer time to germinate and produce , and the works may not ripen as uniformly as Allium cepa sets .
However , planting onions from seminal fluid can be a good option if you want to uprise a specific mixed bag that is n’t uncommitted as hardening or starts . Planting onion plant seeds can also be more monetary value - efficient than purchasing solidification or starts .
If you resolve to engraft Allium cepa from seed , you should start the seeds indoors 8 - 10 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area . If you decide to plant onion from come , you should start the seeds indoors 8 - 10 weeks before the last look frost day of the month in your area . The final frost dates in Virginia are :
In Virginia , begin your Allium cepa seed indoors around :
To start onion come indoors , fill up seminal fluid trays with a good lineament seed - start premix , and besprinkle the seeds on top of the soil . Cover the seeds with a thin level of grunge , irrigate the tray , and keep it in a warm , bright location . onion plant seeds demand a consistent temperature of 65 - 75 ° F to germinate , so you may demand to apply a heat energy Master of Arts in Teaching or grow light to keep the ripe experimental condition .
After the seeds have germinated , thin the seedlings to about 1 inch apart , and persist in to farm them indoors until they are large enough to graft outside . Harden off the seedling by gradually exposing them to outdoor condition for a workweek before transplanting them into the garden .
When to Harvest Onions in Virginia
onion plant are quick to glean when the leaf start to turn yellow and pass over . This typically happen in late summertime or early fall , about 100 - 120 days after planting , bet on the variety and growing condition .
To verify if the onions are quick for harvest , gently agitate back the soil around the base of the onion plant lightbulb to see if they have developed into fledged bulbs . If the bulbs are of the hope size of it , you’re able to embark on to harvest them .
To harvest onion , practice a garden fork or shovel to cautiously lift the bulbs out of the soil . Gently loosen the soil around the lightbulb to head off damaging them . Once the incandescent lamp are out of the soil , go forth them on the ground for a mean solar day or two to dry out and heal in the sun . This will help to toughen the skins and prolong the storage life of the onion .
After the onions have dried and cured for a twenty-four hour period or two , cut off the stems and roots to about 1 in from the bulb . you could then stack away the onions in a nerveless , ironic plaza , such as a garage or cellar , with good air circulation . Hanging them in mesh bags or tying them in braids is also a unspoiled manner to store onions .
Onions should be stored in a lieu with a temperature between 32 - 40 ° F and with low humidity . void stash away onion plant near potatoes or other fruits and vegetables that produce ethylene gas , which can cause onion to bollocks up more quickly .
