Alaska ’s rugged terrain and harsh , icy climate may not seem like ideal conditions for growing onions , but with deliberate provision and timing , it ’s possible to develop a tidy and bighearted crop . We ’ll explore the good clip to set Allium cepa in Alaska , taking into account the unequaled growing conditions of the Department of State . Below are different onion - sowing technique are explained with detailed practical instructions . This coupled with place frost dates , anyone can originate awful onions .
Good Onion Varieties to Grow in Alaska
Onions are a popular vegetable crop among gardeners due to their versatility in the kitchen and the simplicity with which they can be grown . There are legion varieties of onion , each with its unequaled characteristics and United States .
Here are some of the more popular Allium cepa varieties that gardeners wish to grow :
Overall , each onion variety has its unequalled flavor profile and culinary uses , make them a democratic and versatile harvest for gardeners .
When to Plant Onions in Alaska
Onions are a cool - time of year crop that can be planted in the spring as before long as the soil can be work . The exact planting time will change depending on your location and mood , but generally , onions should be planted about 2 - 4 weeks before the last expected hoar date in your area . The onion planting dates in Alaska are :
Additional Resource : regain YourAlaskaHardiness Zone
Before planting onions , it ’s all-important to devise the land by loose it to a depth of 4 - 6 inches and contain compost or well - rotted manure . Onions prefer well - drain soil with a pH between 6.0 - 7.0 .
To plant Allium cepa Set , which are small onion bulbs , make a crease about 1 inch abstruse , found the set 4 - 6 inches asunder , and get over them with soil . For onion seeds , inseminate them about 1/4 inch mysterious and 1 column inch apart , and spread over them with grunge . body of water the dirt exhaustively after planting , and keep the grease moist until the seedlings come out .
onion turn well in full Lord’s Day and want logical moisture to produce quality bulbs . They also benefit from regular fecundation throughout the growing season . grass control is essential , so keep the arena around the plant free of weeds .
In conclusion , onions should be planted in the spring , 2 - 4 weeks before the last bear frost escort in your area . Prepare the soil , plant the set or seeds , water the well , and keep the area free of weeds . With proper care , you may enjoy a bountiful harvest of yummy onions in the summer and dip .
Planting Onions From Seed
Onions can be develop from seed , but it takes longer than planting onion sets or starts . It ’s recommended to set onion starts rather than seeds because onion plant seed take a longer time to spud and produce , and the plant may not mature as uniformly as onion plant sets .
However , planting onions from seed can be a good selection if you want to get a specific variety that is n’t usable as set or starts . Planting Allium cepa seeds can also be more toll - efficient than purchasing sets or starting line .
If you make up one’s mind to plant onions from germ , you should start the seeds indoors 8 - 10 weeks before the last expected hoarfrost escort in your orbit . If you decide to plant onions from seed , you should set forth the seeds indoors 8 - 10 weeks before the last wait frost date in your expanse . The net frost date in Alaska are :
In Alaska , bulge your Allium cepa seeds indoors around :
To start onion plant seeds indoors , fill seed trays with a good calibre come - starting mix , and sprinkle the seed on top of the soil . insure the cum with a fragile stratum of grime , irrigate the tray , and keep it in a warm , undimmed location . onion plant source ask a consistent temperature of 65 - 75 ° F to germinate , so you may necessitate to use a heat flatness or grow light to maintain the right condition .
After the seeded player have evolve , thin the seedlings to about 1 inch apart , and keep to grow 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 Alaska
onion plant are ready to harvest when the leaves protrude to turn chickenhearted and go down over . This typically happens in late summertime or other fall , about 100 - 120 days after planting , depending on the variety and growing conditions .
To verify if the Allium cepa are ready for harvest time , gently push back the grime around the radical of the Allium cepa bulbs to see if they have make grow into fledged lightbulb . If the bulbs are of the desired size , you may start to harvest them .
To harvest onion , use a garden crotch or shovel to cautiously lift the bulbs out of the soil . Gently loosen the soil around the bulbs to avoid damaging them . Once the bulb are out of the dirt , provide them on the background for a day or two to dry out and cure in the Lord’s Day . This will help to toughen the hide and prolong the storehouse sprightliness of the onion .
After the onions have dry out and cured for a mean solar day or two , cut off the stems and source to about 1 column inch from the bulb . you’re able to then lay in the onions in a cool , dry post , such as a garage or basement , with sound atmosphere circulation . Hanging them in mesh handbag or tie them in braid is also a good path to lay in Allium cepa .
Onions should be stored in a place with a temperature between 32 - 40 ° F and with low humidity . obviate put in onion near murphy or other fruits and vegetables that grow ethylene gas , which can cause onions to botch more quickly .
