Kansas may be recognize for its wide - undecided plains and wheat battlefield , but did you know that it ’s also a great place to originate onions ? The success of onion cultivation in Kansas trust heavily on select the right sentence to institute . Frost damage can shoot down or severely damage onions , so preparation in advance will greatly increase your chances of success . In some areas , farmers may desire to consider starting their seeds indoors to draw out the growing season .
Good Onion Varieties to Grow in Kansas
Onions are a democratic veggie crop among gardeners due to their versatility in the kitchen and the ease with which they can be raise . There are numerous variety show of onion , each with its unequaled characteristics and uses .
Here are some of the more popular onion varieties that gardeners care to grow :
Overall , each Allium cepa mixed bag has its singular feel profile and culinary uses , make them a democratic and versatile crop for gardeners .
When to Plant Onions in Kansas
Onions are a coolheaded - season craw that can be plant in the spring as before long as the soil can be forge . The precise planting time will vary depending on your location and mood , but generally , onions should be planted about 2 - 4 week before the last expect Robert Lee Frost appointment in your area . The onion planting engagement in Kansas are :
Additional Resource : line up Your Kansas Hardiness Zone
Before planting onion , it ’s essential to train the land by loosening it to a depth of 4 - 6 inches and incorporating compost or well - rotted manure . Allium cepa prefer well - drain ground with a pH between 6.0 - 7.0 .
To plant onion sets , which are small onion bulbs , make a furrow about 1 inch deep , plant the sets 4 - 6 inches asunder , and underwrite them with soil . For onion plant seed , sow them about 1/4 inch deep and 1 column inch aside , and cover them with land . pee the grime exhaustively after planting , and keep the soil moist until the seedlings egress .
Allium cepa develop best in full sun and require reproducible wet to produce quality bulb . They also do good from veritable fertilization throughout the growing season . Weed control is essential , so keep the area around the plants free of weeds .
In conclusion , onion should be planted in the spring , 2 - 4 calendar week before the last expected hoar date in your area . Prepare the soil , plant the sets or seeds , body of water the well , and keep the area free of mourning band . With proper care , you could enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious onions in the summertime and fall .
Planting Onions From Seed
Onions can be grown from seed , but it takes longer than establish onion plant set or starts . It ’s recommended to plant onion starts rather than seed because Allium cepa seed take a prospicient time to germinate and develop , and the plants may not mature as uniformly as onion exercise set .
However , planting onions from seeded player can be a unspoiled option if you want to acquire a specific variety that is n’t available as sets or first . Planting onion seeds can also be more cost - effective than purchasing sets or starts .
If you make up one’s mind to plant onions from come , you should commence the seeds indoors 8 - 10 weeks before the last expected hoar date in your area . If you decide to found onions from seeded player , you should embark on the seeds indoors 8 - 10 weeks before the last expected frost particular date in your area . The concluding frost dates in Kansas are :
In Kansas , start your onion seeds indoors around :
To set off Allium cepa source indoors , satiate seed trays with a good quality seed - starting intermixture , and spit the germ on top of the soil . Cover the germ with a thin layer of soil , irrigate the tray , and keep it in a ardent , bright location . Onion seeds need a logical temperature of 65 - 75 ° F to evolve , so you may need to apply a heat matte or originate lighter to keep the right conditions .
After the cum have sprout , reduce the seedling to about 1 in aside , and extend to grow them indoors until they are large enough to transfer alfresco . Harden off the seedling by gradually disclose them to outdoor precondition for a hebdomad before transplanting them into the garden .
When to Harvest Onions in Kansas
onion are ready to reap when the leaves start to grow yellow and fall over . This typically happens in late summertime or early decline , about 100 - 120 days after implant , depending on the variety and growing conditions .
To see if the onions are ready for harvest , lightly push back the ground around the base of the onion bulbs to see if they have developed into mature bulbs . If the bulbs are of the desired size , you’re able to start to harvest them .
To harvest onion , use a garden branching or shovel to carefully lift the bulbs out of the grease . Gently loosen the soil around the bulb to keep off damage them . Once the bulbs are out of the soil , leave them on the ground for a day or two to dry out and cure in the Lord’s Day . This will help to toughen the peel and prolong the storage living of the onion plant .
After the onions have dried and cured for a 24-hour interval or two , hack off the stems and root to about 1 inch from the bulb . you could then store the onions in a cool , dry position , such as a garage or basement , with full air circulation . attend them in mesh bags or tying them in braids is also a adept way of life to store onions .
Onions should be stored in a berth with a temperature between 32 - 40 ° F and with low humidity . Avoid storing onions near potatoes or other fruits and vegetables that produce ethylene gas , which can cause onions to spoil more quickly .
