SCIENTIFIC NAME :Allium cepa
CULTURE :
CULTURE:Onions require full sun and fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Sandy loam soils are ideal; in heavier soils, use raised beds or raised rows to promote soil drainage.
DIRECT SEEDING:In April or early May, or as soon as the soil can be prepared in early spring, sow in a 2″ wide band, about 2 seeds/in., 1/4– 1/2″ deep, rows 12–18″ apart. Thin to 1 1/2–2″ apart for highest yields in fertile soil. Thin to 3-4″ apart for larger onions.
TRANSPLANTING:In short-season areas, sow seeds indoors in flats in late February to mid-March. Broadcast 1/2″ apart and cover 1/4″. Tops may be clipped to 5″ tall. Transplant to the garden 4″ apart, or sow 5 seeds in each cell of 1–1 1/2″ diameter plug trays, thinning to 3 per cell. Transplant each cell 6″ apart.
CULTIVATION:Keep onions well weeded with shallow cultivation.
WATER:Onions are shallow-rooted and grow best with at least 1″ per week of rain or irrigation, especially during the bulbing phase.
DISEASES:Adequate air circulation and crop rotation aids in reducing the risk of foliar disease.
HARVEST:When necks become soft and tops are falling over, pull and sun-cure at least 2–7 days, depending on weather. Move to a protected location to finish drying.
STORAGE:When dry, clip off tops and roots and store in onion bags or shallow boxes at near freezing and 65–70% humidity.
DAY LENGTH:Onion bulbing is triggered by day length, and maximum day length during the growing season increases from south to north. Short-day onions are grown at lower latitudes in the South, while intermediate and long-day onions are grown at higher latitudes. Refer to “Adaptation” in each variety description for details.
DAYS TO MATURITY:From direct seeding; subtract 10–15 days for days to maturity from transplant.
AVG. DIRECT SEEDING RATE:1 oz./25′, 1M/50′, 5M/250′, 25M/1,250′, 580M/acre @ 20 seeds/ft., in rows 18″ apart.
TRANSPLANTS:Avg. 1 oz./4,900 plants, 1 lb./78,750.
SIZED SEEDS:Standard on all varieties.SEED SPECS:SEEDS/LB.: 96,900–127,700 (avg. 112,000).
PACKET:250 seeds, sows 12′ or makes 140 plants.
