Wisconsin ’s temperate climate and unparalleled soil stipulation make it an ideal location for growing onion plant , but success requires careful timing and attending to point . The state ’s unpredictable weather pattern and nipping wintertime can make it challenging to attain optimal yields and quality . With the right-hand knowledge and techniques , farmers and gardeners alike can harvest the reward of a openhanded onion harvest . However , establish at the wrong time can lead to challenges such as downcast yields or even crop unsuccessful person .
Good Onion Varieties to Grow in Illinois
Onions are a pop veg craw among nurseryman due to their versatility in the kitchen and the ease with which they can be grown . There are numerous varieties of onion , each with its unique characteristics and use .
Here are some of the more popular onion plant varieties that gardeners like to grow :
Overall , each onion variety has its unequaled flavor profile and culinary the States , making them a democratic and various craw for gardeners .
When to Plant Onions in Illinois
Onions are a cool - season harvest that can be plant in the bound as soon as the soil can be worked . The exact planting time will variegate calculate on your location and climate , but generally , onions should be constitute about 2 - 4 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area . The Allium cepa planting date in Illinois are :
Additional Resource : Find Your Illinois Hardiness Zone
Before planting onions , it ’s essential to prepare the land by tease it to a depth of 4 - 6 inch and incorporate compost or well - rotted manure . onion favor well - draining dirt with a pH between 6.0 - 7.0 .
To plant onion sets , which are small onion bulb , make a furrow about 1 inch cryptic , constitute the sets 4 - 6 inch aside , and get over them with soil . For onion seed , sow them about 1/4 inch deep and 1 column inch apart , and brood them with soil . Water the grime thoroughly after institute , and keep the soil moist until the seedlings egress .
Onions grow best in full sun and need coherent wet to bring on calibre bulbs . They also do good from regular fertilization throughout the grow time of year . grass control condition is indispensable , so keep the area around the plants free of weeds .
In conclusion , onions should be planted in the leaping , 2 - 4 week before the last expect frost date in your field . fix the soil , engraft the sets or seeds , water the well , and keep the area free of weed . With right care , you’re able to delight a bountiful harvesting of delectable onions in the summer and gloam .
Planting Onions From Seed
Onions can be rise from ejaculate , but it takes longer than planting onion plant sets or get-go . It ’s recommended to found onion bug out rather than germ because onion seeds take a longer time to shoot and mature , and the plants may not mature as uniformly as onion set .
However , planting onions from come can be a good alternative if you desire to spring up a specific variety that is n’t useable as sets or get-go . Planting onion seeds can also be more cost - effective than purchasing sets or starts .
If you decide to plant onions from germ , you should start the seeds indoors 8 - 10 weeks before the last expected Robert Frost date in your area . If you decide to imbed onions from germ , you should start the seed indoors 8 - 10 weeks before the last expected frost day of the month in your area . The final freeze date in Illinois are :
In Illinois , protrude your onion seed indoors around :
To pop out Allium cepa seeds indoors , fill seed tray with a good quality seed - start mix , and sprinkle the seeds on top of the grease . wrap up the seed with a thin layer of soil , water the tray , and keep it in a warm , lustrous localization . Allium cepa seed need a consistent temperature of 65 - 75 ° F to germinate , so you may need to use a heat energy mat or grow light to maintain the right conditions .
After the seeds have pullulate , thin the seedlings to about 1 in apart , and go on to grow them indoors until they are prominent enough to transplant outside . Harden off the seedling by gradually exposing them to out-of-door condition for a calendar week before transplanting them into the garden .
When to Harvest Onions in Illinois
onion are ready to harvest when the leave start to turn yellow and fall over . This typically happens in former summertime or early fall , about 100 - 120 days after planting , depending on the variety and raise conditions .
To hold if the onion plant are ready for harvest time , softly push back the soil around the base of the onion lightbulb to see if they have developed into mature bulb . If the bulbs are of the desired size of it , you’re able to start to harvest them .
To glean onions , apply a garden fork or power shovel to cautiously lift the bulbs out of the soil . mildly tease apart the grime around the incandescent lamp to invalidate damage them . Once the bulbs are out of the soil , leave them on the ground for a daylight or two to dry out and bring around in the sun . This will help to toughen the skin and prolong the storage biography of the onion .
After the onion have dried and cure for a daylight or two , cut off the stem and roots to about 1 inch from the medulla oblongata . you may then store the onions in a cool , teetotal place , such as a service department or basement , with safe atmosphere circulation . Hanging them in mesh bags or tying them in braids is also a good way to salt away onion plant .
Onions should be stash away in a place with a temperature between 32 - 40 ° F and with modest humidity . Avoid put in Allium cepa near potatoes or other fruits and vegetables that produce ethylene gas , which can get onions to spoil more quickly .
