Texas is known for its rich farming traditions and diverse crop varieties , and among them , onion stand out as a staple in many Texan kitchen . Whether it ’s adding a touch of pleasantness to a spicy salsa or bestow a subtle smell to a solid chili , onion wager a critical role in Lone Star state ’s culinary scene . To reap the full benefits of these various vegetable , timing is everything .
The winner of your Allium cepa harvest depends on when you implant them , as factor like atmospheric condition pattern , soil conditions , and seasonal changes can make or die your crop . Below , we will plunge into the best practices for planting onions in Texas , include the optimal timing and technique to ensure a bountiful crop . So , take hold of your horticulture baseball glove , and rent ’s research the human race of onion plant cultivation in the Lone Star State .
Good Onion Varieties to Grow in Texas
Onions are a democratic veg crop among gardeners due to their versatility in the kitchen and the ease with which they can be grown . There are numerous varieties of onions , each with its singular feature and U.S. .
Here are some of the more pop onion varieties that gardeners care to produce :
Overall , each onion variety has its singular flavor profile and culinary function , making them a popular and versatile crop for gardener .
When to Plant Onions in Texas
Onions are a cool - season crop that can be implant in the spring as before long as the soil can be worked . The exact planting time will vary depending on your location and climate , but generally , onion plant should be planted about 2 - 4 weeks before the last expected frost day of the month in your area . The final frost date in Texas are :
Additional Resource : Find Your Texas Hardiness Zone
Before planting onions , it ’s essential to organize the soil by loosen it to a depth of 4 - 6 inches and incorporate compost or well - rotted manure . onion prefer well - draining dirt with a pH between 6.0 - 7.0 .
To establish onion plant set , which are small onion bulbs , make a seam about 1 column inch deep , plant the sets 4 - 6 inch apart , and overlay them with grime . For Allium cepa seed , sow them about 1/4 column inch deep and 1 in apart , and cross them with dirt . Water the grease thoroughly after plant , and keep the soil moist until the seedling come forth .
Onions develop well in full sun and need consistent moisture to produce quality bulbs . They also benefit from regular fecundation throughout the growing time of year . Weed control is essential , so keep the surface area around the plants free of gage .
In conclusion , onions should be planted in the spring , 2 - 4 workweek before the last carry rime appointment in your country . Prepare the soil , plant the band or seed , water the well , and keep the expanse free of weeds . With right care , you may enjoy a openhanded harvest of luscious onions in the summertime and downfall .
Planting Onions From Seed
Onions can be grown from seed , but it take longer than planting onion plant sets or starting signal . It ’s recommended to plant onion plant starts rather than seeds because onion plant seeds take a longer time to pullulate and develop , and the industrial plant may not maturate as uniformly as onion plant curing .
However , planting onions from seed can be a good option if you desire to grow a specific smorgasbord that is n’t available as sets or starts . Planting onion seeds can also be more cost - effectual than purchasing sets or starts .
If you adjudicate to plant onion from source , you should start the seeds indoors 8 - 10 week before the last expected frost date in your arena . In Texas , your final frost date will look on where you are : Northern Texas is April 3rd , Central Texas is March 28th , and Southern Texas is February 28th . So you should aim to start your seed indoors around : Northern Texas is February 6th , Central Texas is January 23rd , and Southern Texas is January 3rd .
To start Allium cepa seeds indoors , fill seed trays with a good quality semen - starting mixture , and sprinkle the seeds on top of the grunge . Cover the seeds with a thin bed of soil , water the tray , and keep it in a warm , vivid location . Allium cepa seeds need a uniform temperature of 65 - 75 ° F to develop , so you may need to habituate a heat lustrelessness or grow lighting to maintain the right condition .
After the seeds have germinate , reduce the seedlings to about 1 column inch asunder , and continue to arise them indoors until they are large enough to transplant outside . Harden off the seedlings by step by step exposing them to outside condition for a week before transfer them into the garden .
When to Harvest Onions in Texas
Onions are ready to reap when the leave begin to turn yellowed and fall over . This typically hap in previous summertime or early fall , about 100 - 120 day after planting , depend on the smorgasbord and originate condition .
To see if the onions are ready for harvest time , lightly push back the soil around the base of the onion medulla to see if they have modernise into matured bulb . If the bulbs are of the desired size , you could start to harvest them .
To reap onion plant , apply a garden fork or shovel to carefully lift the bulbs out of the soil . mildly tease the grease around the bulbs to annul damaging them . Once the bulbs are out of the soil , leave them on the ground for a day or two to dry out out and cure in the sunlight . This will help oneself to toughen the skins and prolong the depot life of the onions .
After the onions have dry out and cured for a Clarence Shepard Day Jr. or two , cut off the stems and roots to about 1 in from the bulb . you could then salt away the onions in a cool , teetotal place , such as a service department or basement , with just air circulation . advert them in mesh bags or tying them in braid is also a safe means to store onions .
Onions should be put in in a place with a temperature between 32 - 40 ° F and with low humidity . Avoid storing Allium cepa near potatoes or other fruits and veg that produce ethylene gas pedal , which can cause onion to coddle more chop-chop .
