Minnesota may be know for its insensate winters , but it is also a great place to grow onion . However , the key to a successful onion crop is selecting the correct time to imbed . The unique growing experimental condition in Minnesota can have a significant impact on onion culture . By understanding the optimum planting window and proficiency , gardeners can maximize their onion yield and lineament . We commend starting your seeds indoors , ahead of the last frost date . The immobilize clime in Minnesota can potentially kill off onions .
Good Onion Varieties to Grow in Minnesota
Onions are a popular vegetable harvest among gardeners due to their versatility in the kitchen and the ease with which they can be rise . There are numerous varieties of onions , each with its unique characteristic and uses .
Here are some of the more democratic onion plant varieties that gardeners like to grow :
Overall , each onion variety has its unique flavor profile and culinary uses , making them a pop and versatile crop for gardeners .
When to Plant Onions in Minnesota
onion are a cool - time of year crop that can be planted in the spring as before long as the ground can be worked . The accurate planting time will diverge count on your location and climate , but generally , onions should be planted about 2 - 4 workweek before the last expected hoar date in your area . The onion planting dates in Minnesota are :
Additional Resource : discover Your Minnesota Hardiness Zone
Before planting onions , it ’s essential to ready the ground by loosening it to a astuteness of 4 - 6 in and incorporating compost or well - rotted manure . Allium cepa prefer well - draining soil with a pH between 6.0 - 7.0 .
To plant Allium cepa lot , which are small onion plant bulbs , make a furrow about 1 inch deep , embed the sets 4 - 6 inches apart , and handle them with soil . For onion plant seeds , sow them about 1/4 column inch deep and 1 inch asunder , and cover them with soil . water system the grunge thoroughly after planting , and keep the dirt moist until the seedlings emerge .
onion produce well in full sun and expect logical wet to develop quality incandescent lamp . They also benefit from regular fecundation throughout the growing season . Weed control is all important , so keep the field around the plant life free of weeds .
In conclusion , onion should be planted in the bound , 2 - 4 week before the last expected frost day of the month in your area . groom the territory , set the set or seminal fluid , water the well , and keep the country free of weeds . With right care , you may enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious onions in the summer and fall .
Planting Onions From Seed
Onions can be grown from seed , but it guide longer than planting onion sets or starts . It ’s recommend to plant onion take up rather than seed because onion seeds take a longer prison term to germinate and uprise , and the plants may not ripen as uniformly as onion sets .
However , planting onion plant from source can be a beneficial selection if you want to rise a specific miscellanea that is n’t usable as hardening or commencement . Planting onion seeds can also be more cost - effective than purchasing sets or starts .
If you decide to plant onion plant from seed , you should originate the seed indoors 8 - 10 week before the last expected Robert Lee Frost date in your area . If you resolve to plant onions from ejaculate , you should start the seeds indoors 8 - 10 weeks before the last expected frost date in your surface area . The final rime appointment in Minnesota are :
In Minnesota , start your onion plant seeds indoors around :
To take off onion germ indoors , fill seminal fluid tray with a good timber seminal fluid - start mix , and sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil . insure the seeds with a tenuous stratum of grease , water the tray , and keep it in a warm , bright placement . Onion seeds need a consistent temperature of 65 - 75 ° F to germinate , so you may require to employ a high temperature flatness or grow luminosity to maintain the correct weather .
After the come have burgeon forth , thin the seedlings to about 1 column inch apart , and continue to grow them indoors until they are big enough to transplant out of doors . Harden off the seedling by step by step display them to outside conditions for a week before transplanting them into the garden .
When to Harvest Onions in Minnesota
Onions are quick to harvest when the leaves bulge out to change state yellow-bellied and accrue over . This typically go on in recent summertime or other fall , about 100 - 120 days after planting , depending on the variety and growing condition .
To retard if the onion are quick for harvest , gently push back the soil around the foot of the Allium cepa bulb to see if they have developed into mature electric-light bulb . If the bulbs are of the desired size of it , you’re able to start out to harvest them .
To harvest onions , use a garden fork or shovel to cautiously lift the bulbs out of the ground . Gently loosen the soil around the bulbs to avoid damage them . Once the bulb are out of the filth , leave them on the ground for a day or two to dry out out and cure in the sunshine . This will aid to toughen the skins and prolong the warehousing lifetime of the onions .
After the onions have dry and cure for a day or two , cut off the stem and roots to about 1 in from the bulb . you could then stack away the onions in a nerveless , dry blank space , such as a garage or basement , with full gentle wind circulation . Hanging them in mesh udder or attach them in braids is also a good way of life to store onions .
onion should be stored in a place with a temperature between 32 - 40 ° F and with low-down humidness . Avoid storing onions near white potato or other fruit and vegetables that produce ethylene gas , which can do onions to blow more promptly .
