North Dakota has harsh winters and a short growing season , but that does n’t mean you ca n’t uprise onions successfully . With the ripe timing and cognition of the unequalled growing conditions in the state , you could produce a bountiful onion craw . The timing of planting onions in North Dakota is important , where the weather can be unpredictable and extreme . Starting your seeds indoors is a winning scheme here as it extend the short North Dakotan growing season .
Good Onion Varieties to Grow
Onions are a popular vegetable crop among nurseryman due to their versatility in the kitchen and the ease with which they can be mature . There are numerous varieties of onions , each with its unique characteristics and exercise .
Here are some of the more popular onion varieties that gardeners like to grow :
Overall , each onion potpourri has its alone flavour visibility and culinary uses , making them a popular and various crop for gardeners .
When to Plant Onions in North Dakota
Onions are a cool - time of year craw that can be plant in the spring as soon as the territory can be go . The exact planting fourth dimension will vary depending on your location and climate , but broadly speaking , onions should be found about 2 - 4 weeks before the last expect hoarfrost date in your area . The onion plant planting dates in North Dakota are :
Additional Resource : Find Your North Dakota Hardiness Zone
Before planting Allium cepa , it ’s indispensable to prepare the soil by loosening it to a depth of 4 - 6 inches and incorporating compost or well - rotted manure . onion plant prefer well - draining soil with a pH between 6.0 - 7.0 .
To plant Allium cepa sets , which are small Allium cepa bulbs , make a furrow about 1 inch deep , plant the band 4 - 6 inches apart , and cover them with soil . For Allium cepa seed , sow in them about 1/4 inch deep and 1 column inch apart , and cover them with soil . piddle the dirt thoroughly after planting , and keep the soil moist until the seedlings emerge .
Onions grow well in full sun and want consistent moisture to make quality bulbs . They also benefit from regular fecundation throughout the growing season . Weed control is essential , so keep the area around the plants free of sess .
In termination , onions should be planted in the spring , 2 - 4 weeks before the last expected frost appointment in your area . train the soil , plant the sets or seeds , water system the well , and keep the area detached of weeds . With proper care , you could enjoy a bountiful harvest of toothsome onion in the summer and fall .
Planting Onions From Seed
Onions can be grown from seed , but it consume longer than planting onion curing or starts . It ’s advocate to imbed onion bulge rather than seeds because onion germ take a longer time to pullulate and grow , and the plants may not mature as uniformly as Allium cepa sets .
However , planting onion from seed can be a good option if you require to develop a specific variety that is n’t useable as sets or showtime . Planting onion plant seed can also be more toll - effective than purchase hardening or starts .
If you decide to plant onion from come , you should start the seeds indoors 8 - 10 weeks before the last expected frost particular date in your arena . If you decide to plant onions from seed , you should protrude the seed indoors 8 - 10 weeks before the last expected freeze escort in your area . The final frost dates in North Dakota are :
In North Dakota , start your onion plant seeds indoors around :
To begin onion seeded player indoors , fill seed trays with a good quality ejaculate - start commixture , and sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil . Cover the cum with a sparse layer of soil , water the tray , and keep it in a warm , hopeful location . Onion seeds take a reproducible temperature of 65 - 75 ° F to germinate , so you may take to use a heat mat or grow light to maintain the right conditions .
After the seeds have germinated , thin the seedling to about 1 inch apart , and continue to farm them indoors until they are large enough to transfer outside . Harden off the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor condition for a week before transpose them into the garden .
When to Harvest Onions in North Dakota
Onions are ready to reap when the leaf start to deform yellow and fall over . This typically happens in late summer or early fall , about 100 - 120 days after planting , depending on the variety and growing conditions .
To confirm whether the Allium cepa are quick for harvest , gently advertise back the soil around the base of the onion bulbs to see if they have developed into mature bulbs . If the bulb are of the desire sizing , you’re able to start to glean them .
To harvest onion , employ a garden fork or shovel to cautiously rear the electric-light bulb out of the ground . softly loosen the soil around the bulbs to avoid damage them . Once the bulbs are out of the grime , leave alone them on the ground for a solar day or two to dry out out and heal in the sun . This will serve to toughen the skins and prolong the depot life of the onions .
After the onions have dry and cured for a sidereal day or two , cut off the stems and root to about 1 inch from the light bulb . you could then store the onions in a nerveless , ironical place , such as a garage or cellar , with good air circulation . Hanging them in mesh bag or tying them in plait is also a good manner to store onion plant .
Allium cepa should be stored in a place with a temperature between 32 - 40 ° F and with low humidity . Avoid storing onions near white potato or other fruit and vegetables that produce ethylene gas , which can have onion to spoil more quickly .
