The onion is one of the most important
vegetables grown and is very popular in
home gardens. Onions commonly grown are the mild types, such as White
or Yellow Sweet Spanish
onion.
Onions can be used as green onions within 30 days if grown from plants or sets; or 40 to 50 days if grown from seed. There are, however, bunching varieties that produce a true bunching onion or scallion with either small or no bulbs. For
dry onions from sets or plants, 100 or more days are required from planting, depending on the variety grown.
The potato or multiplier
onion, and the Egyptian onion are grown from vegetative parts rather than seed. In the case of the multiplier or potato onion, the underground portion is a compound bulb formed from the segregation of a large mother bulb. Each bulb in the compound bulb produces 6 to 12 plants. Their principal use is the production of early
green bunching onions.
The Egyptian onion produces clusters of small bulbs called bulbils at the top of the seed stalk in late summer. The bulbils are used to produce very early
green onions. Both multiplier and Egyptian onions are planted in the fall,
over wintered with some mulch protection, and brought into production in the early spring. Due to this method of culture, the onions are referred to as
"winter onions".
Climatic Requirements
The onion is adapted to a wide range of temperatures and is frost-tolerant. Best production is obtained when cool temperatures (55 F to 75 degrees F) prevail over an extended period of time, permitting considerable foliage and root development before bulbing starts. After bulbing begins, high temperature and low relative humidity extending into the harvest and curing period are desirable. A constant supply of adequate moisture is necessary for best results. For onions started from plants, a light mulch will help conserve moisture for uniform growth.
An important aspect of onion development
is the length of day or photoperiod. Photoperiod, along with temperature, controls when the onions form bulbs. Some
onion varieties are short-day in response, and form bulbs when the days are 12 hours or less in length. Other varieties are long-day plants, forming bulbs when there are 15 or more hours of daylight. This effect of day length makes some onion varieties unsuitable for northern climates because they begin to bulb when the plants are too small. The influence of day length also requires that Sweet Spanish and Bermuda onions be grown from plants rather than seed in Ohio.
Soil Requirements
Onions grow best in a loose, well-drained soil of high fertility and plenty of organic matter. Avoid heavier soils such as clay and silt loams unless modified with organic matter to improve aeration and drainage. Onions are sensitive to highly acid soils and grow best when the pH is between 6.2 and 6.8.
Fertilizers
As for most vegetables, lime and fertilizers are best applied using the results of a soil test as a guide. Arrangements for soil testing can be made through your local County Extension office. Fertilizers of a 1-2-2 ratio (5-10-10, for example) are good for
onion production. As the
onion plant's root system is very limited, high soil fertility is essential for good production.
Establishing the Planting
Onions should be planted early in the spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Onion seed is sown 1/2 inch deep, while sets are planted one to two inches deep. A three-inch plant spacing is desirable. Rows should be 12 to 18 inches or more apart depending on the method of cultivation. For wide row planting, plants or sets are placed on 3-inch centers. Onions are ideal for wide row planting, but keep in mind that weeding must then be done by hand.
Harvesting
Harvest onions when the tops have fallen over and dried. On sunny, breezy days, onions may be pulled and left in the garden for a day or two to dry before they are taken to a curing area. Curing must take place for the onions to be stored for any length of time.
Cure onions by placing them in a warm, well-ventilated area until the necks are thoroughly dry. With warm temperatures, good air circulation and low humidity, curing should be completed within two weeks after harvest. Onions are best stored in a cool moderately dry area in ventilated containers.
