Almost all gardeners grow onions in their plots. And many are aware of the benefits of planting bulbs for the winter. But what to do if the winter onion has sprouted, is it possible to save the future crop and what to do better? Let's get it right.

Is it possible to plant sprouted onions in the winter?

Many crops can be planted after both winter and fall. Onion plants are no exception. But many are skeptical about the autumn planting of this culture. They were especially cautious when approaching such agricultural technology in areas with severe unstable climates (Siberia, the Urals, the Moscow Region).

In addition, few people know that there are winter hybrids that tolerate the cold well and give a good harvest next season. However, the seed must be of good quality and healthy. If the bulb has sprouted, planting it for the winter is pointless.

Did you know? Onions have been used by mankind for more than five millennia. As a home plant began to cultivate it on the territory of modern Iran and Afghanistan. And today more than 900 varieties of this culture are known.

Advantages and disadvantages of planting onions in the winter

• Planting bulbs “in the winter”, according to competent gardeners, is preferable for the following reasons:
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• There is no need to store seed until spring. This is especially important if it is small. Usually this material dries out during the winter.
• Getting larger bulbs. The sowing planted for winter in the coming season gives larger fruits.
• You can enjoy young herbs in the spring. And by mid-summer, young, high-quality bulbs are already forming.
• Long storage. The sowing planted in autumn is distinguished by excellent keeping quality.
• Less watering. If the weather is rainy, the culture has enough natural rainfall.
• Resistance to disease. If the rhizome develops correctly, during the winter it will get stronger and will be able to withstand the onion fly. And early ripening avoids the defeat of powdery mildew.
• Effective use of beds. After harvesting, crops with a short growing cycle or spicy herbs, herbs (for example, leafy salads) can be planted in the same place.
• Harvesting weeds is easier. Shoots appear early when almost all the weeds are still “sleeping”. By the time they begin to actively develop, the plant is already becoming powerful.

• There are not so many shortcomings in the autumn landing, but they are still there:
• Norm of landing. Unfortunately, not all bulbs will take root during the winter, so you will have to increase the number of seedlings by 12-16%.
• Force Majeure. No one is safe from this factor. With snowless winters and associated frosts, up to -16 ° C, the crop may die completely.

Video: planting onions in the winter, secrets and benefits

Dates of planting onions for the winter

The optimal period for planting onion crops in regions with cold winters is the end of October - the first decade of November, a month before the onset of frost. At the same time, they are guided by the temperature: if it is kept at + 5 ° C for 5-6 days, then it's time to plant the bulbs.

Important! Weather is the main landmark in terms of planting winter crops. Before the cold comes sevc should take root, but not sprout.

If the onion is planted too early, it will have time to sprout green sprouts on the surface of the ridge and the plant will disappear in frosts. With late planting, the culture does not have time to take root and freezes. Many gardeners believe that the third or fourth decade of November is the optimal period for planting winter onions. With this planting, the crop can be harvested from the beds from June to early August (depending on the variety).

How to plant onions in the winter

The first point to emphasize is the variety. There are no special instructions for choosing bulbs for planting for the winter, any zoned varieties are suitable. Experts advise against using heat-loving species that are not able to tolerate cold.

For winter growing, these types are suitable:

• Arzamas;
• Bessonovsky;
• Stuttgart Riesen;
• Strigunovsky.

Site selection and soil preparation for planting

Onion crops prefer loose, neutral soil, with an acidity of 5-6 pH and a well-blown, lit area. It should also be borne in mind that spring water, rainfall and irrigation should not stagnate.

The soil is prepared in advance: deeply digged and fertilized (humus, mineral components). Ashes are added to the ground right before putting the onions. It is worth considering such an important moment as crop rotation.

• Preference should be given to such a place for planting onions, where in the last season were cultivated:
• cereals (exception - oats);
• legumes (peas, beans);
• siderates (rapeseed, vetch, mustard);
• beet;
• salad;
• Tomatoes
• white cabbage.

• Do not cultivate onion crops after:
• celery;
• clover reddish;
• parsley;
• potatoes.

Bulb preparation and processing before planting

Question: Do you process planting material or not? - is controversial. This factor does not depend on the temperature at which the sowing germinates. Some gardeners recommend soaking the bulbs in a solution of potassium permanganate, and some prefer to plant dry material, motivating their preferences by the fact that soaked sevoc sprouts faster.

But it is necessary to select the bulbs. Seeds are sorted out, sorting sick, damaged and dried specimens. In addition, seedlings are sorted by size. This, of course, is not important, but it is advisable to plant them separately - a large crop will not work out from a sowing of 1-3 mm in size, but the green leaves are excellent.

Did you know? Onions are considered the most common vegetable in the world. Statistics claim that it is cultivated in almost 180 countries. And this is two times more than countries growing wheat.

Direct landing

For onions it is better to make a high (17-20 cm) bed - if the level of planting soil is low, the bulbs will freeze. The earth is well loosened and made shallow, (3-4 cm), grooves.

If you plan to plant several rows, then between them leave a distance of 20-25 cm, and between seedlings - 7-10 cm. Some gardeners leave a distance of 5-6 cm, but in this case the plant will not receive sufficient nutrition.

After putting the bulbs in the grooves, they are covered with earth with humus, leveled and compacted (slightly). From above, the soil is additionally covered with mulch. Onion plantings for the winter, it is advisable to "close" with non-woven material, agrofibre or spruce branches.

Care for growing onions for the winter

Caring for a winter plant is much easier than for a crop planted in warm weather - sprouted onions are less whimsical. As soon as the soil begins to thaw, shelters are removed from the beds, and after another 7-10 days - a layer of mulch. The plot is sprinkled with ash (10 g per 1 sq.m.) and loosen the ground.

Important! Shelter must be removed on time. If you remove it too late, the plant will get wet, and the mulch will delay the germination process.

The soil is loosened after each moistening (rain, watering). Weeds are harvested at the same time. As soon as 4 green feathers appear near the seedlings, the bulb begins to develop. This means that it is time to thin out the seedlings and make fertilizing.

To do this, prepare such a mixture (norm per 1 sq.m.):

• superphosphate - 15-20 g;
• potassium fertilizers - 10-15 g.

Instead of mineral components, litter can be used. If there is a lot of rainfall in spring, you should not often water the plant. With a dry spring, watering is carried out every 3-4 days. So that the plant can withstand the onion fly, marigolds or calendula are planted around the beds.

Harvesting and storage

A sign that the bulbs have completely reached technical ripeness are onion feathers lying on the ground. The cover scales of the underground part of the spicy plant are colored in a tone characteristic of a particular variety.

Vegetable culture is dug up so as not to damage the external integument of the plant, after which it is left in a ventilated area for drying. It can be sent for storage when the bulbs dry out and the leaves and roots become completely dry.

Growing onions in the winter is very real, subject to certain rules and conditions. And in April you can enjoy fragrant greens, and in June-August to collect a generous harvest.