Learning how to plant onion is one of the easiest horticulture project you may do . Allium cepa are easy to grow and the reward are delectable . you may grow a serious harvest if you know when to embed , whether to apply onion plant sets or seeds , and how to get the territory ready . When spring comes , little unripe sprout appear . In just a few month , they turn into juicy , tasty bulbs .
One of my biggest passions in life has been gardening . I really worship there , and I really require to deal what I ’ve learned over the year with other people . This is exactly why I wrote my first book , The First Time Gardener : I desire to help people who are just starting out .
you could learn a lot by doing things . In fact , I always say that failure can be our best teacher . But there are plenty of mistakes you could avoid by plainly having a guide .
Onions are a various vegetable that can be spring up in gardens across most of the United States If you know in zone 7 , you have the ideal climate postulate to grow delicious onions from seed . This comprehensive template will provide you with everything you postulate to get laid about planting onion plant cum successfully in zone 7
An Overview of Zone 7 Climate
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map divides North America into 13 zones based on each region ’s average annual minimum winter temperature Zone 7 has an average annual minimum temperature of 0 to 10 ° F ( -178 to -12,2 ° C ) ,
Some of the key feature of zone 7 ’s clime let in :
This temperate climate makes zone 7 nonesuch for arise a wide kind of fruit , veggie , and ornamentals .
Why Grow Onions in Zone 7?
Here are some of the top understanding you should consider add together onions to your zone 7 vegetable garden :
Allium cepa maturate exceptionally well in zone 7 . The moderate temperatures and long growing season let ample meter for bulb to full suppurate .
you may harvest onions in zona 7 several week earlier than in cooler area , fetching premium prices at marketplace .
Onions fund well , provide you with homegrown flavor through wintertime after the grow season ends .
Many sweet and soft Allium cepa varieties prefer zone 7 ’s warmer mood .
Onions are easy to maturate from seeds , sets , or transplanting .
Vertical growing surface area intend onions are majuscule for small spaces .
onion are an essential cooking ingredient , so have your own supply saves money .
Selecting the Best Onion Varieties for Zone 7
One of the keys to produce great onions is select varieties fit to your local climate . Here are some recommend onion cultivars for garden in geographical zone 7 :
Short Day Varieties :
Intermediate Day Varieties :
Long Day Varieties :
I indicate try several Allium cepa types to see which perform well in your specific microclimate .
When to Plant Onion Seeds in Zone 7
Onion seeds can be planted in either spring or settle in zone 7 :
leap planting :
Fall planting :
Fall planting overwinters onions to get a head commence on growth when outpouring arrives . outflow planting is best for seedling or sets .
Starting Onion Seeds Indoors
onion plant come can be sown indoors to give plant an early showtime before transplanting outside . Here are some tips :
works seeds 8 - 10 weeks before your last expected spring freeze appointment .
expend a germ starting mix and inseminate seeds 1/4 inch deep .
Keep filth moist and provide great deal of light .
Thin seedling to 1 inch apart after sprouting .
indurate off plant for 7 - 10 days before transplanting outdoors .
start onion indoors leads to bigger bulbs at harvest time .
How to Direct Sow Onion Seeds Outdoors
you’re able to also inseminate Allium cepa source instantly in your garden bed :
Prepare soil and mix in compost or fertiliser . onion prefer nutrient - rich , well - draining soil .
produce rows or thin seam 1/4 – 1/2 inch abstruse and space 6 - 8 inches apart .
Sow seed closely together in rows .
Cover with soil and water lightly .
Once seedlings are 2 inches marvellous , thin to 4 inch apart .
Consistent moisture is fundamental to direct sowing winner .
Onion Seedlings and Sets
For fall planting , onion sets or transplantation are the best option as seeds need too much time to suppurate before wintertime .
Onion Sets :
Small onion electric-light bulb that build quickly after planting .
sell by cultivar for light variety selection .
freestanding sets and flora 1 - 2 inch deep , 4 column inch aside in rows .
organ transplant :
Choose disease - liberal seedling around the size of a pencil .
Harden off before plant .
organ transplant into rows 4 inches apart and 6 inches between plant life .
Water transplants daily for the first week .
How to Care for Onions
Giving your onions the proper care and get conditions will ensure a bountiful harvesting . Here are some tips :
sun : Onions call for full sunlight – at least 6 hours per day .
weewee : Keep soil moist , allow for 1 - 2 inches per hebdomad . logical water is key .
Weeding : Mulch around industrial plant and stay on top of weeds . They contend for water and nutrients .
Fertilizer : apply balanced fertilizer at planting and side dress with nitrogen mid - season .
pestilence : ascertain for onion maggots , thrip and other pestis . apply quarrel covers if ask .
harvest home : When 75 % of tops are dark-brown and fall over , displume bulb and set aside to dry out before hive away .
Storing Your Onion Crop
the right way cured onions can be stash away for 2 - 3 months in zone 7 :
Allow onion to dry out of direct sun for 1 - 2 weeks after harvesting .
curve back tops to 1 - 2 inches and roots to 1/4 column inch .
heal bulbs for 2 + weeks in a warm , ironic spot out of sunlight .
Store cure onions in a nerveless , dry location around 40 ° F .
Avoid storing onions in high humidness or pie-eyed condition .
How to Use Your Fresh Onion Harvest
The beauty of growing onions yourself is enjoying their tone fresh from the garden . Here are some delicious ways to utilise your geographical zone 7 onions :
suffer your own supply of onions means you may try out with formula all season long . Any extras can be diced and frozen for using through the winter .
Troubleshooting Common Onion Problems
raise a young character of vegetable always comes with a scholarship curve . Here are some likely egress and how to cover them :
Poor sprouting : Ensure grunge is moist when sowing seeds . scratch seeds indoors .
beetle off : Plant resistant variety and at the right times for your mood .
sparse , small bulbs : Improper store the prior twelvemonth or deficiency of food . Fertilize fittingly .
Rotting : Avoid overwatering and harvest incandescent lamp promptly once quick .
Pest terms : Use dustup natural covering as needed to protect plants .
With proper preparation and care , you’re able to overcome these challenge and grow a beautiful onion craw in zone 7 .
Enjoying Homegrown Onions Year-Round
How to Prepare the Soil for Planting Onions
Successfully grow works really comes down to the soil timber , so do n’t skip this important step . Read this post about the Berkeley 18 - day method acting of building compost to larn how to make your own .
We did n’t have our compost plenty ready when I was quick to plant my onions , so we buy compost to improve the ground .
When Is the Best Time to Plant Onion Sets
onion plant sets and garlic need to get roots before a hard freeze , even though they are very hardy . When I lived in zone 7b , I plant my onions in January .
The month you might embed will change according to which growing zone you live in . This is something I talk about in my post on the basics of garden provision . It will aid you visualise out what turn zone you survive in and has lots of other utilitarian gardening information .
Make trusted your soil is workable and not frozen . If there is a possibility of a frost after you establish , wrap up them with wheat mulch for protection .
It was late January when I planted my crop on our fresh farm in South Carolina . The conditions was complete , and then we had a immense cold-blooded press stud . Although my onions did nt snuff it , come spring all they wanted to do was go to seed .
There ’s nothing incorrect with this in and of itself , but onions that seek to go to seed are no longer good for longsighted - full term storage . I consider the onions had a heavy clock time because they were used to warmer weather and then the temperature drop quickly , which shocked them .
In Arkansas , it was cold , but my onion did fine — even colder than this winter in South Carolina . I think it has something to do with letting the onions get used to the colder weather ahead of time .
If you know that a gruelling halt or cold snap is coming , do n’t plant your onions until the peril has passed .
Growing Onions from Seed – Zone 7a
FAQ
Which is the best month to sow onion seed ?
When can you plant onions in geographical zone 7 ?
How farsighted do onion plant take to grow from seed ?
