 Cultivating
Onion Sets
Soil Conditions
The soil for onion sets should be well-drained and firm. Onion
sets should be planted in early spring, before the last frost date,
usually in March or April. The onions need cooler temperatures at
the beginning of their growing cycle and will not be harmed by frost.
Planting
Grasping the bulb by the pointed end, push it into the prepared
soil roots down, until its full length is covered. The soil should
just cover the tops of the sets, but plant them at least an inch
under the soil. Planting them a little too deeply will not harm
them. Allow at least 3 inches around all sides of each bulb. Firm
the soil around each set after planting.
Cultivation
If birds become a problem, you may need to protect your onions
with netting. If they are heaved from the ground by frost, push
them back into the soil as soon as possible. Weed your plot regularly.
Onion sets should produce a profusion of green top growth before
they begin to produce bulbs. The more profuse the top growth, the
bigger the final neon bulb will be. It is the top growth that produces
the energy and food needed for the plant to later create the bulb.
It is essential that onion sets be planted early enough in the season
so that this vigorous top growth occurs. Once the length of day
and temperature reach a certain point, the plants will begin to
produce onion bulbs whether or not they have had time to produce
enough leaves. Those bulbs will be smaller as a result. So, plant
earlier rather than later unless you wish to stagger your harvest.
As the bulbs grow, loosen the dirt around their sides to encourage
them to expand.
Harvesting
Onions should be harvested in August and September. When your onion
bulbs are ready for harvesting the leaves at the tops will bend
over. If they don't, bend them over yourself and leave them in the
ground for another two weeks. When harvesting, lift the bulbs gently
with a garden fork and spread them out to dry in the sun for 2 -
4 weeks. Turn them frequently, so they dry evenly.
Storage
Store onions in a cool well-ventilated place. A basement or garage
is ideal. Braid the dried leaves to form thick lengths from which
individual onions can be cut as needed and hang them up, or store
them loose in trays with holes or slats. Another popular method
is to store them in mesh or net bags. Your onions should keep well
into the spring, just in time to plant next year's crop.
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