Idaho may be renowned for its potatoes , but did you know that it ’s also a great post to grow onions ? As with any crop , the timing of planting is important to assure a successful harvest . By selecting the correct time for planting , you’re able to maximize the yield and quality of your craw and enjoy the many benefit of growing Allium cepa in Idaho . But beware – planting at the wrong time can ensue in challenges that can be easily void with the good knowledge . So let ’s get started and prod into the good practices for planting onions in Idaho .
Good Onion Varieties to Grow in Idaho
onion are a pop vegetable craw among gardener due to their versatility in the kitchen and the ease with which they can be grown . There are numerous mixture of Allium cepa , each with its unique characteristics and uses .
Here are some of the more popular onion varieties that gardeners like to grow :
Overall , each onion variety has its unique flavor visibility and culinary uses , making them a pop and various harvest for gardeners .
When to Plant Onions in Idaho
Onions are a cool - season crop that can be plant in the spring as soon as the dirt can be lick . The precise planting time will vary depending on your emplacement and climate , but generally , onion should be plant about 2 - 4 week before the last expect frost particular date in your expanse . The onion plant planting dates in Idaho are :
Zone 3 : May 1stZone 4 : April 28thZone 5 : April 16thZone 6 : April 7thZone 7 : March 20th
Additional Resource : Find Your Idaho Hardiness Zone
Before planting onions , it ’s all-important to prepare the soil by loosen it to a profoundness of 4 - 6 inches and incorporating compost or well - rot manure . Allium cepa prefer well - drain soil with a pH between 6.0 - 7.0 .
To plant onion plant sets , which are small onion lightbulb , make a furrow about 1 inch inscrutable , plant the sets 4 - 6 inches asunder , and cover them with soil . For onion seeds , sow them about 1/4 inch cryptic and 1 inch aside , and cover them with ground . Water the dirt good after implant , and keep the soil moist until the seedlings emerge .
onion grow well in full sun and involve consistent wet to produce quality bulbs . They also profit from regular fecundation throughout the growing time of year . Weed control is substantive , so keep the area around the plants free of weeds .
In ending , onions should be planted in the spring , 2 - 4 workweek before the last expected frost date in your domain . Prepare the ground , plant the sets or seeds , water the well , and keep the region free of weeds . With right guardianship , you’re able to enjoy a freehanded harvest of yummy onions in the summertime and fall .
Planting Onions From Seed
Onions can be grown from cum , but it take longer than planting onion plant sets or offset . It ’s commend to plant onion starts rather than ejaculate because Allium cepa seeds take a longer time to sprout and grow , and the plant may not suppurate as uniformly as onion sets .
However , planting onion from seed can be a practiced option if you require to produce a specific variety that is n’t usable as set or start . Planting onion seeded player can also be more cost - efficacious than purchase set or head start .
If you decide to plant onions from seed , you should startle the seeds indoors 8 - 10 hebdomad before the last expected frost escort in your area . If you settle to plant onion from seed , you should start the seed indoors 8 - 10 weeks before the last anticipate frost date in your expanse . The final frost dates in Idaho are :
Zone 3 : May 15thZone 4 : May 12thZone 5 : April 30thZone 6 : April 21stZone 7 : April 3rd
In Idaho , start your onion seed indoors around :
geographical zone 3 : March 20thZone 4 : March 17thZone 5 : March 5thZone 6 : February 24thZone 7 : February 6th
To start Allium cepa seeds indoors , fill semen tray with a good tone seed - starting mix , and sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil . underwrite the seeds with a thin layer of soil , irrigate the tray , and keep it in a lovesome , vivid position . Allium cepa seed call for a reproducible temperature of 65 - 75 ° F to spud , so you may require to utilize a heat matt or originate light to keep the right precondition .
After the seeds have evolve , thin the seedling to about 1 inch asunder , and go along to grow them indoors until they are with child enough to transfer outside . Harden off the seedlings by step by step display them to outdoor conditions for a calendar week before graft them into the garden .
When to Harvest Onions in Idaho
onion are ready to harvest when the leave start to turn yellow and fall over . This typically materialize in late summertime or early fall , about 100 - 120 solar day after planting , depending on the miscellany and grow conditions .
To see if the Allium cepa are quick for harvest , gently push back the stain around the base of the onion plant bulbs to see if they have develop into matured bulb . If the bulbs are of the desired size , you may start to glean them .
To harvest onion plant , use a garden fork or excavator to cautiously lift the bulbs out of the soil . Gently loosen the grunge around the bulbs to avoid damaging them . Once the bulbs are out of the land , leave them on the ground for a day or two to dry out out and cure in the sun . This will help to toughen the hide and prolong the storage life of the onions .
After the onions have dry and cured for a day or two , cut off the stalk and base to about 1 in from the lightbulb . you’re able to then put in the onions in a coolheaded , dry place , such as a garage or basement , with good airwave circulation . hang them in mesh bags or tying them in braids is also a good style to store onions .
Onions should be put in in a place with a temperature between 32 - 40 ° F and with low humidness . debar storing Allium cepa near potatoes or other fruit and veggie that produce ethylene gas , which can cause onions to baffle more promptly .
