Whether spring onions, spring onions, fine shallots, or storable kitchen onions: the variety is great and cultivation is possible almost all year round. How to do it.
Origin
The kitchen onion (Allium cepa) belongs to the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) and is one of the oldest cultivated plants: It was cultivated in ancient Egypt and even served as a means of payment there. It is also one of the few vegetable plants whose origin has not yet been clarified. The most closely related wild plant has the botanical name Allium vavilovii and is native to Iran and Turkmenistan. Many botanists, therefore, assume that the wild form of the kitchen onion also comes from this region.
Appearance and stature
All bulbs are naturally perennial. Thanks to their thickened storage organ – the onion – they are well adapted to a continental climate with strongly fluctuating precipitation and can survive dry periods well. A cross-section through the storage organ shows that it consists of a greatly shortened stem axis, which is surrounded by many layers of fused storage leaves. This means that the onion-like the more or less closely related onion flowers – can sprout quickly and form ripe seeds in a very short growing season.
Most hobby gardeners grow the vegetables by planting onions in April and harvesting the onions in July or August. While this cultivation method is convenient, it severely limits the variety of the savory plant. Those who buy seeds can choose from many more varieties. Onions are divided into four groups: mild spring or spring onions, fine shallots, normal summer or kitchen onions and thick vegetable onions. Winter onions are rarely used, but there are many astonishingly cold-resistant varieties such as the popular ‘Stuttgart giant’.
There are hardly any differences in cultivation, only the sowing dates vary. Summer onions intended for fresh consumption and storage should be sown in March if possible. Spring onions can be grown in several batches from spring to autumn. The best time to sow winter hedge bulbs is from the end of August to September, depending on the region.
Location and soil
All onions grow best in full sun, warm places in the vegetable garden. The soil should be loose, rich in humus and evenly moist. A certain amount of clay is an advantage, as the onion develops best with an even supply of water. If you have pure sandy soil, you should ensure a high humus content over the years by regularly incorporating compost.
In the youth stage, onions are extremely sensitive, one secret of success is careful bed preparation: loosen the soil deeply with a sow tooth at least one week before sowing or planting. So the soil can settle well until the sowing. Work in three liters of compost per square meter and then cover the bed with fleece.
Tips for growing on the balcony: If you want to plant onions in pots, you will need a south-facing balcony. The onions and spring onions are best for this, for example. In order for them to thrive, they need a planter with a volume of around ten liters.
Crop rotation and mixed culture
If you want to grow the onion in your own garden, you should rely on a mixed culture in the bed. And don’t forget crop rotation and crop rotation. These are important points in order to be able to harvest plenty of tasty and healthy vegetables. For example, if you planted leeks or onions in the previous year, you should not grow onions in the bed at this location for about four years. Otherwise, the vegetables are much more likely to be attacked by pests or plant diseases. Carrots have proven to be ideal neighbors. But also beetroot or parsnips, as well as cucumbers and lettuce, are suitable. However, you shouldn’t grow your onions next to cabbage, beans, or potatoes.
Sowing
“If you want thick onions, sow them to Benedict” is an old farmer’s rule. March 21st is actually recommended as a sowing date. Onion seeds already germinate at temperatures around five degrees Celsius and benefit from the winter-moist soil. You sow about two to two and a half centimeters deep and in rows of 20 centimeters. Separate the seedlings to the final distance of five to ten centimeters as soon as the leaves are about ten centimeters long. Immediate sowing at the correct distance is not recommended because the germination rate of the seeds is usually well below 100 percent.
The vegetable onions, which can weigh up to one pound, are cultivated in the Mediterranean region and do not grow any larger than normal onions in our climate. Unless they are preferred in a warm, bright place in February. The cultivation in pot plates with later planting out is practiced in commercial cultivation because of the poor germination rate and for early harvesting even with commercially available varieties. In the garden, the method is particularly worthwhile on soils that dry out slowly in spring. Layout five to seven of the angular, black kernels per pot. Put the seedlings and their roots in the bed when the third or fourth leaf appears. In the beginning, the groups are a little tight. However, as the onions continue to grow, they will create the necessary space for themselves. When sowing shallots in pots, three seeds per the desired plant are sufficient. Spring onions are sown or planted in the bed with closer spacing: three centimeters in a row and 15 centimeters in between are completely sufficient.
The sowing of winter onions for the harvest next May is carried out in the second half of August. However, cultivation is only recommended in milder regions, as the onions cannot withstand excessive frosts. Before the onset of winter, the shafts should be at least as thick as a pencil. Tip: If the bed is still occupied, you can also prefer the winter onions such as vegetable onions in pots and later simply put them in the ground with the pot balls.
Planting
If you plant onion sets in your garden, you should definitely wait until there is no more risk of late frosts. Only then should you put the onions in spring. This method is particularly suitable for regions in which soil and climatic conditions do not allow early sowing. The last cultivation date for winter onion sets is at the beginning of October. All set onions – from the summer onion to the shallot to the winter onion – are placed around ten centimeters apart in the row and a row spacing of around 20 centimeters is maintained. Press the onions so deep into the soil that the tip just barely sticks out of the soil. The growing time for onion sets is around two to three weeks shorter compared to sown onions.
Care for onions
Regardless of whether it is sown, planted, or pulled forward: weeding is one of the most important maintenance tasks in onion cultivation – especially during the youth stage. But be careful not to pull the young vegetables out of the ground. As soon as the shaft thickens, the water requirement increases: Don’t forget to water not only when growing in summer, but also on sunny autumn days. It is best to water in the morning and moderately. Onions intended for storage are not watered for two weeks before harvest so that they mature completely. Adding additional fertilizer in summer is not prohibited, but it is also not absolutely necessary. Onions are medium to low eater and are quite frugal: they usually get by with the nutrients that the compost provides, which was worked into the ground in spring. Too much nitrogen in the soil tends to make the plants fattening and difficult to store later.
Harvest and recovery
In order for the cultivation to be worthwhile and for you to be able to feed on the spicy vegetables for a long time, the onions must be harvested and stored correctly. The ideal time for harvesting stored onions has come when the leaves twist and turn yellow by themselves and the leaf roots dry out. A good guideline is: around two-thirds of the vents should be kinked. The turning of the leaves, which is still often practiced in many gardens, does not accelerate ripening and is only useful in exceptional cases. On nutrient-rich soils or in persistently damp weather, the plants form many leaves and become very tall – in such cases, you can help a little. Despite careful drying, the onions that are forced to ripen contain more water and are less storable.
Be careful when harvesting the onions: it is best to carefully loosen the soil with a digging fork before pulling the vegetables out of the ground. In dry summer weather, leave the harvested onions on the bed for a few days so that the skins dry off. Alternatively, you can braid the yellowed foliage into braids. Then hang the onions to dry in an air-dry, rain-protected, but not a too cool place. Braided like this, they can also be stored. Do not keep the stored onions in the refrigerator, because the cold stimulus will soon start sprouting again. They keep the longest in a light, dry attic or in a boiler room that is not too warm at temperatures around 15 degrees Celsius. Onions can also be stored in shallow boxes or hung in cotton bags. The important thing is: do not keep them in the same room as potatoes! The bulbs release moisture to the onions, which can rot from the inside out.
Whether as an onion cake, roasted for frying, or steamed with vegetables – onions can be used in many ways in the kitchen. The good thing about onions is not just their characteristic taste: they contain many healthy substances such as vitamins and minerals. Sulfur compounds give the vegetables an antibacterial and antiviral effect. The flavonoid quercetin is said to have a positive effect on the heart and fiber ensures a healthy intestine. Perhaps onion milk helped you with a cold? As you can see, the onion is not valued as a medicinal plant for anything. However, some ingredients are lost during cooking.
Winter protection
You should have a fleece ready for winter onions if the temperatures at the end of the season are well below zero. If it is cold below five degrees Celsius, the bed is covered for safety. Light protection with fir branches prevents the leaves of the plants from drying out in the cold east wind.
Variety tips
There is a large variety available for growing onions in your own garden. Especially when buying seeds. Only a few are available as onion sets. Overall, the varieties vary in shelf life, taste, size, shape and color. We give you a small overview of the groups mentioned above:
Summer onions
- ‘Stuttgarter Riesen’ is a well-tried and traditional variety with large, flat-round onions. They can be stored well, are medium-hot and have a spicy taste.
- ‘Zittauer Yellow’ delivers a rich harvest and is well known among vegetable gardeners. The round onion has a strong aroma and has a long shelf life.
- ‘Roter Laaer’ is a storable, purple-red variety with a flat, round onion that can be eaten directly, but also stored. Their white flesh is crossed with red rings.
- ‘Piroska’ forms a medium-sized, broad onion. It is mild in taste and has dark, blood-red skin. It is considered robust and can be stored for a long time.
Vegetable onions
- ‘Ailsa Craig’ produces large, usually round, juicy onions. The variety is considered to be very productive with sufficient preculture and can also be stored until around December.
- ‘Valencia Temprana’ is a large, precocious vegetable onion from Italy. The meat is firm and sweet, but the onion cannot be stored well.
Winter onions
- ‘White Queen’ is a winter onion that forms medium-sized, finely aromatic onions when sown in spring. They are easy to insert, but cannot be stored.
Spring or spring onions
- ‘Baja Verde’ is a fast-growing variety and does not make onions. The green and white shafts taste spicy and go well with Asian dishes.
- ‘Elody’ is resistant to cold and has snow-white, mild onions. You can sow them in spring or summer.
Shallots
- ‘Laaer Rosa Lotte’ is a tried and tested Austrian variety with pink meat and a mild taste.
- ‘Yellow Moon’ is robust, grows rapidly and has round, yellow onions with a mild, piquant aroma.
Multiplication
Onions can be propagated using onion sets or seeds. The single onion, in turn, can be multiplied by its brood onions, which it forms on its stems that grow upwards. A pole division is also possible. The clumps of the spring onions can also be divided.
Diseases and pests
One of the most common pests is the onion fly, whose larvae live in storage tissue and make the onion unusable. Although it can be fended off by a mixed culture with carrots, only vegetable protection nets are reliable protection. Downy mildew also appears on onions. Incorrect care and cool, damp weather favor the fungal disease. Some types of onions, such as shallots, multi-layer onions and winter onions are generally considered to be more robust than the kitchen onion. However, they are not completely immune to diseases and pests.
Frequently asked Questions
Where are onions planted?
Onions need a sunny, warm spot in the vegetable garden. The soil should be loose, rich in humus and evenly moist.
Can you grow onions on the balcony?
For example, multi-level onions and spring onions are suitable for growing on the balcony. You need a planter with a capacity of around ten liters. The balcony should face south.
When and how are onions sown?
For sowing onions, March 21st has proven itself. Sow flat and with a row spacing of 20 centimeters. When the leaves are four inches long, separate the seedlings to five to ten inches. When sowing spring onions, closer spacing is possible. Winter onions are only sown in the second half of August.
When and how do you grow onion sets?
Onions are set in spring when there is no longer any danger of late frosts. You place them next to each other at a distance of ten centimeters and keep a row distance of 20 centimeters. Put the onions so deep into the soil that the tip just sticks out of the soil. Winter onions are planted by the beginning of October at the latest.
How are onions preferred?
It is especially worthwhile in regions where the soil dries up slowly in spring. Layout five to seven seeds per pot and place the seedlings with their roots in the bed when the third or fourth leaf appears.
What can be planted with onions?
Carrots, beetroot, parsnips, cucumbers and lettuce are among the suitable bed neighbors for the onion.
When are onions harvested?
The ideal time for harvesting stored onions has come when the leaves twist and turn yellow by themselves and the leaf roots dry out.
How do you store onions?
Onions will last the longest if you store them in a dry attic or in a boiler room that is not too warm at temperatures around 15 degrees Celsius. They can be braided into braids or hung in cotton bags or stored in shallow boxes.
How can onions be propagated?
Onions can be propagated by seeds or onions. Some bulb plants can also be divided.
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