Maryland ’s climate and soil conditions can pose challenges for raise onions , but with the right timing and approach , it is possible to reach a successful harvest . However , planting onions at the faulty time could result in poor output and quality of the crop . As a consequence , it is crucial to empathise the idealistic time to plant onion plant in Maryland to maximise the benefit of onion plant cultivation . Techniques like start up your onion seed indoors can greatly increase your chances of a bountiful onion plant harvest home .
Good Onion Varieties to Grow in Maryland
onion are a popular veg craw among gardeners due to their versatility in the kitchen and the ease with which they can be grown . There are numerous variety of onion plant , each with its unique equipment characteristic and uses .
Here are some of the more pop onion varieties that gardeners wish to grow in Maryland :
Overall , each onion variety has its unique flavor visibility and culinary uses , making them a popular and versatile crop for gardeners .
When to Plant Onions in Maryland
Onions are a cool - season crop that can be plant in the spring as before long as the soil can be worked . The accurate planting sentence will motley depend on your localisation and climate , but generally , onions should be plant about 2 - 4 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area . The onion plant planting date in Maryland are :
Additional Resource : discover Your Maryland Hardiness Zone
Before planting onion plant , it ’s all important to make the soil by loosening it to a depth of 4 - 6 inch and incorporating compost or well - rotted manure . Onions prefer well - draining soil with a pH between 6.0 - 7.0 .
To plant Allium cepa set , which are modest onion plant medulla oblongata , make a crease about 1 inch deep , plant the set 4 - 6 column inch apart , and cover them with soil . For onion plant seed , sow them about 1/4 in cryptical and 1 inch aside , and shroud them with territory . Water the soil exhaustively after establish , and keep the soil moist until the seedlings issue .
Onions grow best in full Lord’s Day and require uniform wet to produce calibre bulbs . They also benefit from regular dressing throughout the growing season . Mary Jane control is of the essence , so keep the domain around the plants gratis of weeds .
In conclusion , Allium cepa should be planted in the spring , 2 - 4 weeks before the last expected frost appointment in your area . Prepare the ground , plant the sets or seeds , water the well , and keep the area free of weeds . With proper concern , you could enjoy a bountiful harvest of yummy onions in the summertime and dusk .
Planting Onions From Seed
Onions can be uprise from seed , but it take longer than planting onion sets or starts . It ’s recommend to plant Allium cepa starts rather than seeded player because onion seeds take a longer time to bourgeon and grow , and the plants may not mature as uniformly as onion plant sets .
However , planting onions from seed can be a good option if you want to uprise a specific variety that is n’t useable as sets or starts . Planting onion semen can also be more price - in force than purchasing sets or starting signal .
If you determine to plant onion plant from seed , you should start the seed indoors 8 - 10 weeks before the last bear frost date in your area . If you decide to plant onion from source , you should lead off the seeds indoors 8 - 10 weeks before the last require icing engagement in your area . The final frost dates in Maryland are :
In Maryland , start your onion seed indoors around :
To start up onion seeded player indoors , fill seed tray with a good timbre seminal fluid - start mix , and sprinkle the seeds on top of the ground . plow the cum with a thin layer of dirt , irrigate the tray , and keep it in a ardent , shining locating . Onion seeds need a consistent temperature of 65 - 75 ° F to germinate , so you may require to use a heat lustrelessness or grow twinkle to wield the right conditions .
After the germ have spud , thin the seedlings to about 1 inch asunder , and continue to grow them indoors until they are large enough to transfer alfresco . Harden off the seedlings by step by step exposing them to outdoor weather condition for a week before transplanting them into the garden .
When to Harvest Onions in Maryland
onion plant are ready to harvest when the leaves start to turn yellow and go down over . This typically pass off in late summertime or early fall , about 100 - 120 days after plant , depending on the mixed bag and growing condition .
To confirm whether the Allium cepa are quick for harvest time , gently push back the soil around the stand of the onion plant bulb to see if they have developed into ripe bulbs . If the bulbs are of the desired size , you may start to harvest them .
To harvest Allium cepa , apply a garden fork or power shovel to carefully swipe the bulbs out of the soil . Gently relax the soil around the electric light to avoid damaging them . Once the bulbs are out of the dirt , leave them on the ground for a day or two to dry out and cure in the sun . This will help to toughen the skins and sustain the storage life of the onions .
After the onions have dry out and cured for a twenty-four hours or two , cut off the stalk and stem to about 1 inch from the electric light . you may then store the onion in a cool , teetotal place , such as a garage or cellar , with dear melodic line circulation . Hanging them in mesh bag or bind them in braid is also a serious direction to store onions .
onion should be stack away in a blank space with a temperature between 32 - 40 ° F and with broken humidity . fend off storing onion near potatoes or other fruit and vegetables that produce ethene gas , which can cause onions to spoil more rapidly .
