Onions are a great addition to any garden. Whether you’re growing green onions, spring onions, or yellow onions, there are several stages of growth you should be aware of.
Stage 1: Onion Germination
Onion seeds grow into onion plants.
For successful germination, warm and loose soil with plenty of organic matter is key.
Onion sets should be planted 1-2 inches deep in well-draining clay or loam soil that’s been amended with organic matter like compost.
Soil temperatures should be between 60-85°F and the soil surface should remain moist but not soggy during this stage.
Depending on the type of onions you’re growing, such as yellow onions, white onions, or long-day onions, seeds will sprout in 7-10 days.
Once the shoot system reaches the surface, it will begin to photosynthesize and produce food for the plant while also developing a mild onion flavor.
To ensure your onion crop receives enough water throughout its growth cycle, provide a steady supply of 1 inch per week during the early stages and gradually decrease as bulbs mature.
With proper care and attention, you can enjoy a delicious yield of fresh onions!
Stage 2: Seedling
After the onion seed has germinated and the shoot system begins to photosynthesize, it’s time for the seedling stage.
During this stage, your onion plants should be thinned out to around 6 inches apart in rows.
Additionally, keep weeds away from your onions during this stage as they can compete with them for nutrients and water.
Provide your onion crop with a steady supply of 1 inch of water per week.
However, be sure to avoid overwatering as soggy soil can lead to root rot and other diseases that can damage your crop.
To ensure even watering, use a soaker hose or drip irrigation system for optimal performance.
Once your onion plant reaches 3-4 inches tall, you can start harvesting green onions or spring onions!
Stage 3: Vegetative stage
The vegetative stage of onion growth is when the plants reach their mature size and begin to form bulbs.
At this point, the soil temperatures should be around 60°F for optimal growth.
Your onions will need plenty of organic matter in the soil to provide them with the nutrients they need.
Additionally, make sure your soil is loose and well-draining so that it won’t become waterlogged or soggy.
Keep your soil moist but not wet during this stage, as too much water can kill your onion crop.
Finally, fertilize your onion crop every few weeks with a fertilizer specifically designed for onions to ensure that they have a steady supply of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
This will help keep your onions healthy and increase yields.
Stage 4: Bulb formation stage
The bulb formation stage is when the onions start to form bulbs at the top of their stems.
During this time, you’ll want to make sure that your soil temperature stays between 55-65°F and that you provide a steady supply of water.
This can be done by watering your onions around an inch deep once a week or so.
Make sure to avoid overwatering, as this can cause root rot and other damaging conditions in your onion crop.
Additionally, if you’re growing green or spring onions, you’ll want to keep an eye on them during this stage as harvesting them at the right moment will give you the best flavor and texture for your fresh onion dish!
For longer-day varieties like yellow onions, it’s best to wait until the plants reach full maturity before harvesting them for a milder onion flavor.
Stage 5: Maturation stage
The maturation stage is the final stage of the onion life cycle.
During this stage, the tops of the onions will turn straw-like and may have a purple tinge.
The necks will also become well-formed but still soft enough to easily bend without breaking.
This is when your onion crop should be ready for harvesting.
For best results, it’s important to provide optimal soil conditions during this phase.
Make sure that your soil is loose, nutrient-rich, and has good drainage so that it doesn’t stay soggy for long periods.
Clay soils are not ideal for maturation as they tend to hold moisture and can cause root rot in onions.
Additionally, you’ll want to keep an eye on soil temperatures during this stage as warmer temperatures can cause premature maturing in onions and decrease their shelf life.
Finally, make sure to water your onions consistently without providing too much water or allowing them to dry out completely – aim to keep the soil surface moist at all times.
Stage 6: Harvesting stage
The harvesting stage is when you will finally be able to enjoy your onions!
Depending on the type of onions that you planted and the climate in your area, this stage can occur anywhere from mid-summer to early autumn.
It’s important to harvest them at the right time so that they don’t become too mature and lose their mild onion flavor.
When harvesting, make sure that you loosen the soil around the onions with a digging fork before plucking them out by hand.
Try not to damage any of the bulbs while doing this as it can reduce their shelf life.
Once you have removed all of your onions, it’s best to leave them lying on top of the soil to allow any excess water to evaporate before storing them.
Onions need a supply of water throughout their growing stages but when harvesting, it’s important not to over-water them; aim for about one inch deep when watering your onions near harvesting time.
If you do happen to over-water them, allow any excess water to drain away before storing your fresh onion crop.
Conclusion
Onion growing is a rewarding experience and by following the 6 stages outlined in this article, you can successfully grow onions for your consumption or sale.
Onions are a cool-season crop that does best when planted in well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter.
Depending on the type of onions that you plant and the climate in your area, harvesting can occur anywhere from mid-summer to early autumn.
It’s important to harvest them at the right time so that they don’t become too mature and lose their mild onion flavor.
When watering your onions during their growing season, make sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy as too much water can reduce their shelf life.
Once you have harvested your onions, it’s best to leave them lying on top of the soil to allow any excess water to evaporate before storing them.
With proper care and attention, you will be able to enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious onions!
