Onion Planting Timeline for Massachusetts Gardeners: A Comprehensive Guide for the Growing Season
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In the cool, verdant landscapes of Massachusetts, growing onions can be a rewarding endeavour. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you cultivate delicious, long-lasting onions in your garden.
Choosing the Right Onion Varieties
When selecting onion varieties for Massachusetts' cool climate, focus on long-day onion varieties suited to northern regions with longer daylight in summer. Some popular options include Red Wethersfield, Copra, Stuttgarter, and Redwing, all of which have proven long-day storage qualities and do well in northern climates.
For those seeking onions with excellent storage life, consider varieties like Red Wethersfield, Copra, and Stuttgarter, which can store for up to 12+ months. Redwing onions store for 8-10 months.
Planting Onions
Onions prefer temperatures between 55°F and 75°F for optimal growth, avoiding extreme heat which can cause bolting. In Massachusetts, onions should be planted about 2-4 weeks before the last expected frost date, typically in mid to late April.
When planting onion sets or seeds, they should be planted 1-2 inches deep for sets and 1/2 inch deep for seeds, with a spacing of 4-6 inches apart. For a head start, onion seeds can be started indoors about 8-10 weeks before transplanting outdoors.
Caring for Your Onion Plants
Keeping the garden well-weeded minimizes competition for nutrients. To prevent onion crops from falling prey to pests and diseases, frequent monitoring is essential, and proper watering, fertilization, and soil drainage are crucial. Onions thrive in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with a pH balance between 6.0 and 7.0. Spacing onion rows at 12 inches apart helps prevent overcrowding and reduces the likelihood of diseases and pests.
Harvesting Your Onions
Onions mature in about 90-100 days and are less prone to diseases. Harvest after about 100–150 days from seed or 60–80 days from sets, when tops begin to yellow. Apply nitrogen and potash nutrients, with the last nitrogen application 4 weeks before harvest.
Popular Long-Day Onion Varieties for Massachusetts
- Red Wethersfield: Long storage, up to 12+ months
- Copra: Good storage, 10-12 months
- Stuttgarter: Long storage, 10-12 months
- Redwing: Storage 8-10 months
Conclusion
Growing onions in Massachusetts can be a delightful experience, yielding mild to moderately pungent bulbs that store well through winter. By selecting long-day onion varieties and following the planting tips provided, you'll be well on your way to a successful onion harvest. Happy gardening!
[1] Onion Growing Guide for Massachusetts [2] Choosing the Right Onion Varieties for Your Garden [5] Onion Planting and Care Guide
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