Growing onions from onion sets is widespread because it requires relatively little effort. The gardener is almost assured of a rich yield if a few basic things are taken into account.
How do I plant onion sets correctly?
Onion sets are planted in spring (end of March to beginning of April) or autumn, with a plant spacing of 5-10 cm and row spacing of 25-35 cm. The ideal location offers loose, old fertilized soil in full sun. Water well and fertilize moderately during the growth phase.
When and how do you plant onion sets?
In classic summer cultivation, the onion sets are planted at the end of March and beginning of April. However, there may be regional differences. Onion sets are also planted in autumn. These are winter onion varieties that are planted between August and October, depending on the variety.
The onion sets are placed in rows. The distance between the individual plants is around 5-10 cm, the row spacing is around 25-35 cm. The onion sets go into the soil with the germination base facing upwards, but they must not disappear completely into the soil. The tip remains visible on the surface.
What location and soil requirements do onion sets have?
Although onions are considered undemanding, some important points should not be ignored. For example, it is important that no fresh organic fertilizer is incorporated into the soil immediately before planting. A well-fertilized, loose garden soil in full sun and not protected from the wind is optimal. Overall, the onion beds should be fertilized sparingly, but watered well in the hot summer months.
How do you properly care for onion sets?
Caring for onion sets does not require much effort. Rather, the usual care instructions in kitchen gardens should be observed:
- Water well during the growing season, but stop well before harvest to harvest dry onions.
- Remove weeds regularly, which is especially important at the beginning so that the small onion plants are not prevented from growing.
- If the soil is sufficiently nutrient-rich, fertilize moderately, possibly with wood ash (€14.00 on Amazon), not too much nitrogen.
When are the onion sets harvested
The onion sets planted in the fall of the previous year can be harvested at the end of May, or from June to July at the latest. The first summer onions are ripe in July. The main harvest occurs in September-October. You can recognize the onions that are ready for harvest by the dying weeds, which yellow, dry out and break. Then the finished onions can be dug up, dried and stored.
Tips & Tricks
Leave the dried herbs on the harvested onions. In this way, the bulbs can be stored in bunches in a place protected from moisture and frost.
