I tried to plant them high but after planting I added a layer of mulched leaves for mulch.
Now it seems they are too deep.
I know the bulbs need sunlight to grow. Should I remove the mulch and more dirt from around the base of each bulb?
Also, what spacing should I be looking for?
Another thing… They are forming scapes already which I thought didn't happen until right before they were done. Any thoughts?
Thanks so much for any and all suggestions. You all have helped me so much!
by northcarolinabirder
9 Comments
Supposedly removing the dirt from the top of the bulb and even the sides of the bulb allows for larger bulb production as they are less compressed by the surrounding soil. I am growing onions for the first time now so I can attest to this working but I do plan on removing the soil from around the bulb.
The plant will start to bulb whether the bulbs get sun or not. If you see them beginning to push dirt up around the plant, then you should brush away some of the soil. Please be sure to feed them with ammonium sulfate or calcium nitrate, the first has an NPK of 21-0-0 and the second is 15-0-0. Onions are nitrogen hogs so be sure to feed them at least twice if possible. What you’re trying to accomplish is growing between 12 & 13 green shoots which corresponds with the number of layers the onion has..short day onions have a maximum of 13 layers. The more layers you can grow, the larger your onions will be at harvest.
Also remove the whole flowers stalks if you want to harvest big onions .
The one’s bolting are done you can remove them now for use.
Those look great
Garlic flowers are scapes, not bulb onions. Once onions flower thats basically game over. I assume this is planted from sets? Ive personally had bad luck with that route and recommend people to try from seed; less likely to flower and better overall results
Dixondale sells onion starts but they also have a wonderful planting guide. I have went from horrible to good to now a great harvest just going by their suggestions.
Not too deep . They still need to bulb out . Make sure you have the right type of onion – short or long day variety. Once they start bulbing cut any fertilizer and continue to water
Btw, unrelated but cool thing to do:
You can cut the green stalks and use them as green onion in food 🙂 including the flower stalk!