Winter onions are very large and hardy vegetables that can survive cold temperatures. Typically, much of their growth occurs during the winter months. Most winter onions are called "walking onions" because they produce a top bulb that, if left undisturbed, falls to the ground and replants, causing the onion to "walk" around the garden. Winter onions of all varieties are easy to plant and care for. Start with small pre-grown bulb clusters for best results.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Implant
Step 1. Prepare the soil in late summer or fall
You can plant onion bunches starting in August, but many gardeners prefer to wait until October when the weather is noticeably cooler. You can also plant them in early winter, as long as the soil has not yet become firm.
Step 2. Choose a sunny area of your garden
Winter onions are hardy enough to grow in a variety of conditions, but they prefer to stay in full sun.
Step 3. Loosen the soil
Use a rake or shovel to loosen the soil in your garden. Winter onions do best in loose, well-drained soil. Avoid sandy soils, however, since sand causes the soil to lose moisture a little too quickly, which prevents the onions from absorbing all the nutrients they need to thrive.
Step 4. Mix of organic matter in the soil
Sterilized compost is a popular choice. Organic matter provides additional nutrients and can improve the soil's ability to retain suitable moisture levels.
Step 5. Plant each bunch 2, 5 to 5 centimeters deep
Gently push it into the soil until it is just below ground level. Cover with extra soil if necessary, gently coating the bulb with soil.
Step 6. Leave a space between 10 and 15 centimeters between the decks within each row
The rows should be spaced approximately 30 centimeters apart.
Step 7. Cover the planted decks with a heavy layer of mulch
Mulching allows the soil to retain moisture longer and also keeps the onions a little warmer than they would be if the soil remained exposed.
Part 2 of 2: Care and Collection
Step 1. Water the onions twice a week for the first two weeks
After that, avoid watering them altogether, especially once the soil is frozen. When the weather warms up again, water them only if a dry spell occurs and the soil feels hard, cracked and dry.
Step 2. Give the onions two doses of fertilizer
The first dose should be given just before the first heavy frost. If you live in an area where there is no frost, apply the first dose of fertilizer anytime from late October to November. The second dose should be given in early summer, before harvest.
Step 3. Remove the weeds
During most of the growing season, weeds aren't a big deal. When you see any, however, you should rip them off immediately, either by hand or using a sharp hoe. Weeds compete with onions for nutrients in the soil, resulting in a scarce and dehydrated crop.
Step 4. Watch out for parasites
You won't have much pest problems most of the growing period, but if you notice their presence once the weather warms, use a non-hazardous pesticide to kill or drive them away.
Step 5. Collect onion leaves anytime during the spring
Once the leaves reach about 10 cm in height, you can cut them with shears. They have a mild flavor, but they look good in many recipes that call for onions.
Step 6. Collect the onion bulbs once the buds turn brown
This usually occurs anytime from late spring to early fall, depending on when you planted the bouquets. Due to the long growing period, winter onions have particularly large bulb roots. Pull the buds until the bulb pops out of the ground or pry with a garden fork. Dust off as much soil as possible before setting the bulbs to dry.
Step 7. Allow some of the bulbs to "walk"
The most common winter onion is the "walking onion," which produces a top bulb. Once this has gotten large enough, its weight causes it to sink into the ground and plant itself. Often, you can still cut the root and bulb into the soil after this occurs. Allowing the bulbils to replant ensures a harvest for next year.
Advice
- Hang the onions to dry or put them in a mesh container. Keeping them off the ground will allow them to dry out more thoroughly.
- Remove as much peel as possible before storing the onions. The more peel you remove, the more yours will dry out. Dried onions can be stored for long periods of time.
