Arkansas is renowned for its prolific soil and mild clime , making it an idealistic placement for craw production . onion can easy flourish in the United States Department of State ’s unique conditions , but timing is of the essence for a successful harvest time . The conditions in Arkansas , ranging from moth-eaten and dry winters to raging and humid summers , can be erratic and poses a challenge to onion farmers .
Therefore , it ’s vital to choose the appropriate time to plant onions to maximize the harvest ’s takings and quality . We ’ll explain the best practices and time to implant onion in Arkansas . The state ’s exceptional growing conditions , such as temperature , soil quality , and precipitation , provide a stellar environment for gardener of any experience stratum to grow outstanding onions .
Good Onion Varieties to Grow in Arkansas
Onions are a democratic vegetable crop among gardeners due to their versatility in the kitchen and the ease with which they can be arise . There are numerous varieties of onion , each with its unequaled gadget characteristic and uses .
Here are some of the more popular onion plant miscellany that gardeners care to grow :
Overall , each onion variety has its unique spirit profile and culinary uses , make them a pop and various harvest for gardeners .
When to Plant Onions in Arkansas
Onions are a nerveless - season crop that can be planted in the spring as soon as the soil can be worked . The exact planting metre will vary depending on your placement and mood , but generally , onion should be set about 2 - 4 week before the last expected freeze escort in your area . The last frost date in Arkansas are :
Additional Resource : see Your Arkansas Hardiness Zone
Before planting onions , it ’s substantive to prepare the soil by loose it to a depth of 4 - 6 inch and incorporate compost or well - rotted manure . Onions prefer well - drain grunge with a pH between 6.0 - 7.0 .
To set onion plant sets , which are small onion incandescent lamp , make a furrow about 1 inch deep , implant the set 4 - 6 inches apart , and deal them with ground . For Allium cepa seed , sow them about 1/4 in mystifying and 1 column inch apart , and cover them with soil . Water the soil thoroughly after planting , and keep the soil moist until the seedling emerge .
Onions grow best in full sunshine and want uniform moisture to produce calibre medulla oblongata . They also gain from regular dressing throughout the growing season . Weed ascendance is essential , so keep the country around the plants free of weeds .
In ratiocination , onions should be planted in the bounce , 2 - 4 weeks before the last expect frost date in your region . Prepare the soil , constitute the sets or seed , water the well , and keep the surface area free of weeds . With proper care , you’re able to relish a bounteous harvest of delicious onions in the summer and fall .
Planting Onions From Seed
onion can be grown from source , but it takes longer than implant onion plant band or starts . It ’s recommend to establish onion starts rather than seeds because onion seeds take a longer time to shoot and uprise , and the plants may not mature as uniformly as Allium cepa sets .
However , planting onion from seed can be a ripe option if you want to develop a specific variety that is n’t uncommitted as sets or starts . Planting onion seeds can also be more cost - good than purchasing sets or start .
If you decide to plant onion from ejaculate , you should start the germ indoors 8 - 10 weeks before the last expected hoarfrost date in your sphere . The final freeze dates in Arkansas are :
You should aim to start your seeds indoors in Arkansas around :
To start Allium cepa seeds indoors , fill seed trays with a near quality semen - starting mix , and sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil . Cover the source with a thin layer of soil , water the tray , and keep it in a warm , bright location . Onion seeds need a ordered temperature of 65 - 75 ° F to germinate , so you may need to use a warmth matting or grow light to keep the right shape .
After the seeds have germinated , thin the seedlings to about 1 inch aside , and continue to turn them indoors until they are large enough to transpose out of doors . Harden off the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outside condition for a week before transplanting them into the garden .
When to Harvest Onions in Arkansas
Onions are ready to harvest when the leaf pop out to become yellowed and fall over . This typically happens in late summertime or early fall , about 100 - 120 days after embed , count on the variety and spring up weather .
To match if the onion are ready for crop , gently push back the soil around the foundation of the onion plant bulbs to see if they have developed into matured light bulb . If the bulbs are of the desired sizing , you could start to harvest them .
To harvest onion , use a garden fork or shovel to carefully plagiarize the electric light out of the filth . Gently loosen the ground around the bulbs to forefend damaging them . Once the bulb are out of the ground , leave them on the ground for a 24-hour interval or two to dry out and heal in the sun . This will serve to toughen the skins and prolong the reposition life of the onions .
After the onion have dried and cure for a day or two , cut off the stems and root word to about 1 column inch from the bulb . you’re able to then store the onion plant in a cool , dry berth , such as a garage or cellar , with good air circulation . attend them in mesh bagful or tying them in braids is also a safe mode to put in onion .
Onions should be stored in a lieu with a temperature between 32 - 40 ° F and with blue humidity . Avoid lay in onions near potatoes or other yield and vegetable that produce ethylene gas , which can cause onion plant to corrupt more quickly .
