Onion Growing Guide for Central Texas
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Onions are a long-season crop that thrives in Central Texas, providing a flavorful addition to your meals. Whether you’re growing green onions or bulbing varieties, onions are easy to cultivate with the right care.
Choosing the Right Onion Varieties
- Short-Day Onions: Texas Sweet, Southern Belle, 1015Y
- Green Onions: Evergreen White Bunching, Tokyo Long White
When to Plant Onions
- Sets or Transplants: Plant in late October to early February.
- Seeds: Sow seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before transplanting.
How to Plant Onions
- Soil Preparation: Use loose, well-draining soil enriched with compost. Onions prefer a pH of 6.0-7.0.
- Planting Depth: Plant sets or transplants 1-2 inches deep.
- Spacing: Space onions 4-6 inches apart, with rows 12-18 inches apart.
Caring for Your Onion Plants
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during bulb formation.
- Fertilizing: Use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.
- Mulching: Apply mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Pests and Diseases
- Common Pests: Onion thrips and maggots. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil to manage pests.
- Diseases: Downy mildew and rot. Rotate crops and avoid overwatering.
Harvesting Onions
- Harvest green onions when they reach the desired size.
- For bulb onions, harvest when the tops fall over and begin to dry. Cure bulbs in a warm, dry place for 2-3 weeks before storing.