How to plant onions correctly so that they grow strong, juicy and without arrows

Onions are one of the most popular garden vegetables that can be found in every garden. In order for onions to gain juiciness, strength and sweetness throughout the season, it is important to prevent the appearance of arrows. The plant puts all its energy into flowering, but there is not enough nutrition for the development of a large head. To prevent the bow from shooting, you need to follow the recommendations of experienced summer residents.

High-quality seed sets

Onion sets should not be wrinkled or show obvious signs of germination before planting. In this case, the supply of nutrients has already gone into the feather, so a strong turnip will not come out. Seed bulbs should be inspected for putrefactive damage, as diseases will interfere with the normal growth of the onion. In the worst case, the turnip will rot in the ground.

Quality is more important than cheapness, so it is better to buy good planting material. A suitable set is small in appearance, dense, with a solid, smooth and shiny skin that fits tightly to the plant. The onions should be dry and small. It has been proven: the larger the set, the more likely it is to throw out arrows. The optimal head diameter is 1-1.5 cm.

Warming up

To strengthen the turnips and the juiciness of large onions, they must be warmed up before planting. Spread the sevok onto sheets of clean white paper and leave to dry on a radiator or in the sun. Warming up is especially important for bulbs that were stored in a cool room, away from moisture or rain.

Place for sowing

Onion roots love loose, fertile soil without stagnant moisture and with medium acidity. Fresh manure should not be added to planting, as this can lead to rotting of the seedlings. For high fruiting, onions should not be grown in the same place for 2 years in a row; they should be replaced with legumes and garlic. The best predecessors are pumpkin, potatoes and tomatoes.

Sparse landing

There are three methods for planting bulbs in an open bed: seedlings, seeds and sets. The simplest and most productive third method:

• for planting, prepare furrows with distances between them of 20–25 cm;
• the planting depth of the bulbs is 4 cm;
• the space between them is 7–9 cm, and for large specimens – up to 15 cm;
• After completing the formation of the bed, mulch the surface with peat;
• The first shoots will appear in 2–8 days.

The bulbs are planted in a well-lit place and watered abundantly. The planting should not be thickened so that large and strong heads can form.

Planting onion sets in ridges

Onion sets can be planted in ridges. To do this, make a shallow furrow with a flat cutter, lay out the onions and rake the earth on both sides. In a loose, high ridge, the soil warms up better, which is important for the formation of feathers, and it is difficult for the onion fly to reach the bottom.

Watering during planting and at different stages of ripening

When planting, the sets are given a large amount of moisture so that the roots have time to take hold and the greens begin to grow. After planting, the beds must be watered, otherwise the plants will perceive the drought as a signal to begin reproduction and will begin to shoot arrows.Watering is reduced after the feather has become coarse, dry and tasteless. At this moment, the bulb forms multi-layered scales, and its outer layers become coarser. After the tops dry, watering is stopped so that the dry scales “seal” the head, the neck dries and becomes thin.

Drought and cold are the enemies of onions

Like all “roots”, onions prefer moderate temperatures; this crop is relatively cold-resistant. You can start planting after the soil has warmed up sufficiently. The reference point is the May holidays, and in a warm spring you can start working on the garden bed at the end of April.

Onion sets will grow juicy, strong and large if you choose high-quality material for planting in a small size, without damage or rot. Soak the onion, harden it, treat it with smoke and plant it in a sparse manner. Watering and fertilizing should be carried out in sufficient quantities according to a scheme suitable for the region.