Ordinary or edible onion is a very popular vegetable in our kitchen. Its basic parts, i.e. the bulbs themselves, are easy to store and available all year round.However, in order to learn and use a huge number of varieties, we would have to grow them in our own garden.
All varieties of edible onions, as well as related species, such as chives or the delicacy multi-story onion, are considered to be plants with low requirements. This is not entirely true, as young, delicate plants, however, require careful care.
A good yield largely depends on when you start growing. The earliest sowing date is the second decade of March and the beginning of April.Onion seeds germinate at a temperature of about 5 ° C, taking full advantage of the winter moisture in the substrate.Small spring onions are less resistant to cold and can be planted when stronger frost is no longer a threat. The exception is the salad onion, grown in Mediterranean countries, which can weigh up to half a kilogram.
In our climate, the bulbs are the size of native bulbs, unless the cultivation begins in February in a sunny and warm place.Some gardeners start growing onions earlier in multi-pots and then transplant already stronger plants into flower beds.
In your own garden, this way is especially profitable when the soil dries up very slowly in the spring. Place 5 to 7 black square seeds in one pot.Plant the flower bed with young bulbs with three or four leaves.
Conditions for a good onion cultivation
When buying spring onions, i.e. small one-year-old bulbs for planting, pay attention to their appearance and quality. They should be dry, firm and firm with a light, stain-free shell.In the case of seeds, check the expiry date on the packaging.Onion seeds retain their ability to germinate only for one year, at most two years.
Colorful harvest of exceptional vegetables
To reduce the risk of disease and pest development, onions should be grown on the same bed at least five years apart. This time frame also applies to related species, e.g. the leek. Keven damage to the onion facilitates the growth of bacteria.
Therefore, care work, such as weeding and hoeing, should be carried out extremely carefully.The best protection against onion cream is provided by a fine mesh or a thin nonwoven fabric stretched over the bed immediately after sowing or planting.
Picked, dried and undamaged onions should be stored in a cool and airy place. The storage period depends on the variety. The most durable varieties retain good quality even until the end of the year.Single onions may release leaves during this time.Do not throw them away as fresh chives are a great addition to many dishes in winter.
