Growing onions in Middle Georgia is relatively easy once you understand a few local gardening rules: the right variety, a little fertilizer, some attention to watering and patience. The most important one? Choose the right onions for our climate, not every onion is happy living in the South.
Short-Day, Long-Day and Intermediate
Onions are the prima donnas of the vegetable garden when it comes to daylight. Unlike some of their neighbors that are content to grow whenever the weather cooperates, onions use the length of the day to determine when to form bulbs.
Short-day onions begin forming bulbs with 10 to 12 hours of daylight, making them the best choice for Middle Georgia. Popular varieties include Vidalia-type sweet onions, Savannah Sweet, Yellow Granex and Red Creole.
Long-day onions require 14 to 16 hours of daylight and are better suited to northern gardens. Intermediate-day onions fall somewhere between the two and may perform well in certain locations, but short-day varieties remain the safest bet for Southern gardeners.
Planting Your Onions
In Middle Georgia, the ideal planting window for short-day onion transplants or sets is generally November through January. Transplants resemble little grass-like plants, while sets look like miniature onions.
Onions can also be grown from seed, but these should be started in early fall to allow adequate growth before transplanting. For most home gardeners, purchasing transplants or sets from a local garden center is the easier option. To each his own.
Choose a location receiving six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. Onions prefer loose, fertile, well-drained soil, so work compost into the bed before planting. Their shallow roots struggle in compacted soil, making proper preparation important.
Space plants approximately four inches apart, with 12 inches between rows. Keep the roots covered and the base of each plant near the soil surface. Planting too deeply can interfere with bulb development.
Feed Them, But Don’t Overdo It
Onions are hungry little plants, but more fertilizer does not mean bigger bulbs. Begin with a soil test through UGA Extension to determine what your garden needs.
Nitrogen is especially important while onion tops are actively growing. Apply fertilizer according to the product label and your soil-test recommendations, using timely applications rather than dumping everything on the bed at once. Keep fertilizer away from direct contact with the plants and water it in as directed.
As bulbs begin to enlarge, avoid excessive nitrogen. Too much late-season nitrogen can delay maturity and contribute to poor storage quality. Your onions need time to finish growing, not a last-minute jolting pep talk.
Water, Weeds and Troublesome Visitors
Onions have shallow roots, so consistent moisture is important. Aim for an inch of water per week from rainfall and irrigation, adjusting for temperature and soil conditions. A light layer of mulch helps conserve moisture and suppress weeds, which compete with onions for valuable nutrients.
Keep an eye out for thrips. These tiny insects feed on leaves, leaving silvery streaks and damaged foliage. Check plants often, especially as late winter warms into spring.
Watch for yellowing leaves, rotting bulbs and unusual spots that may indicate disease or other growing problems. Avoid overwatering and provide good air circulation. Healthy plants are better equipped to withstand trouble.
Harvesting Your Homegrown Onions
Depending on variety and planting date, onions planted during the cooler months are generally ready for harvest in spring, around April or May in Middle Georgia.
When the bulbs mature, their tops naturally begin to fall over and the necks soften. Once a substantial portion of the tops have fallen, check the bulbs for maturity. Loosen them gently and allow them to dry in a shaded, well-ventilated place.
Growing onions takes a little planning, but it is well worth the effort. Choose short-day varieties, plant at the right time, keep the soil fertile and moist, and watch for pests. Before long, you may be slicing homegrown onions for sandwiches, salads and supper.
And if chopping them brings a few tears, at least you can cry with pride. You grew those onions yourself.
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