Alabama ’s unequalled mood and soil condition make it an excellent blank space to grow onions . However , to get the most out of your onion plant harvest , it ’s crucial to select the good sentence for planting . Timing is everything , and planting onion at the incorrect metre can lead to unsatisfying answer . Knowing exactly when to plant onions in Alabama , how to start the onion seeds too soon , and how to transpose them are the most critical man of information . We ’ll bring home the bacon local clime data and handy techniques to help you maximise your yield and make high - quality onions .
Good Onion Varieties to Grow in Alabama
Onions are a pop vegetable crop among nurseryman due to their versatility in the kitchen and the ease with which they can be raise . There are numerous variety of onions , each with its unique machine characteristic and uses .
Here are some of the more popular onion varieties that gardeners wish to grow :
Overall , each onion assortment has its alone flavor profile and culinary uses , making them a popular and various crop for gardeners .
When to Plant Onions in Alabama
Onions are a nerveless - time of year harvest that can be planted in the spring as presently as the grease can be worked . The precise planting time will vary depending on your locating and climate , but generally , onions should be imbed about 2 - 4 weeks before the last carry frost date in your area . The onion planting dates in Alabama are :
Additional Resource : observe Your Alabama Hardiness Zone
Before planting onions in Alabama , it ’s of the essence to prepare the grime by loosening it to a depth of 4 - 6 inches and incorporate compost or well - rotted manure . Onions favor well - draining soil with a pH between 6.0 - 7.0 .
To embed onion plant sets , which are little onion bulb , make a line about 1 inch deep , plant the sets 4 - 6 inches apart , and cover them with grunge . For Allium cepa seeds , sow them about 1/4 column inch cryptical and 1 inch apart , and cover them with territory . Water the soil soundly after planting , and keep the ground moist until the seedlings emerge .
onion grow well in full Dominicus and require reproducible moisture to produce quality medulla . They also gain from veritable fecundation throughout the growing season . Weed ascendency is indispensable , so keep the area around the plants free of weeds .
In conclusion , onions should be planted in the spring , 2 - 4 week before the last ask frost day of the month in your region . Prepare the land , implant the bent or seeds , pee the well , and keep the area free of locoweed . With proper caution , you may savour a bountiful harvest of delicious onion in the summertime and fall .
Planting Onions From Seed
Onions can be grown from seed , but it take longer than implant Allium cepa Seth or starts . It ’s recommended to constitute onion starts rather than seeds because Allium cepa seeded player take a longer prison term to spud and grow , and the plants may not suppurate as uniformly as onion sets .
However , planting Allium cepa from seed can be a dependable option if you want to rise a specific variety that is n’t available as sets or get-go . Planting Allium cepa seeds can also be more monetary value - in force than purchasing sets or starts .
If you make up one’s mind to plant onion from seed , you should set out the seeds indoors 8 - 10 weeks before the last expected freeze day of the month in your expanse . If you decide to establish onion from source , you should start the seminal fluid indoors 8 - 10 week before the last await frost date in your arena . The final frost dates in Alabama are :
In Alabama , start your onion seed indoors around :
To take up Allium cepa seeds indoors , fill source trays with a good timbre cum - starting admixture , and patter the source on top of the territory . Cover the seed with a thin layer of filth , water the tray , and keep it in a warm , bright location . Onion seed want a consistent temperature of 65 - 75 ° F to germinate , so you may need to use a high temperature mat or grow spark to uphold the right conditions .
After the seeds have germinated , thin the seedling to about 1 inch apart , and go on to spring up them indoors until they are orotund enough to transplant outdoors . Harden off the seedlings by gradually expose them to out-of-door conditions for a week before transfer them into the garden .
When to Harvest Onions in Alabama
Onions are quick to harvest when the leaves bulge out to turn lily-livered and fall over . This typically happens in former summer or other fall , about 100 - 120 days after planting , depending on the miscellanea and growing conditions .
To see if the onions are ready for harvest , gently labor back the soil around the base of the onion bulb to see if they have developed into mature bulbs . If the bulbs are of the desired size , you’re able to commence to harvest them .
To harvest onions , use a garden forking or shovel to carefully lift the light bulb out of the territory . Gently loosen the ground around the bulbs to keep off damaging them . Once the bulb are out of the soil , leave them on the earth for a day or two to dry out out and cure in the sun . This will help to toughen the hide and prolong the storage life of the onion .
After the onion have dried and cured for a sidereal day or two , cut off the stems and roots to about 1 column inch from the bulb . you’re able to then hive away the onions in a nerveless , dry place , such as a garage or basement , with expert air circulation . hang them in mesh bag or splice them in plait is also a good agency to store onions .
onion plant should be stored in a place with a temperature between 32 - 40 ° F and with low humidity . Avoid storing onion near potatoes or other fruit and veg that produce ethene gas , which can make onion to vitiate more promptly .
