Montana is known for its picturesque landscapes and harsh winters , but it is also a prime fix for growing onions . With its singular growing conditions , including uttermost temperature fluctuations and variable haste , selecting the right time to plant onions is crucial for a successful harvest . Selecting the best meter to plant can make or break Allium cepa return . Moreover , take the correct planting window can protect onion from unwanted weather condition and poke out the available growing season .
Good Onion Varieties to Grow in Montana
Onions are a popular vegetable harvest among gardeners due to their versatility in the kitchen and the easiness with which they can be maturate . There are numerous varieties of onions , each with its unique machine characteristic and manipulation .
Here are some of the more democratic onion plant miscellany that gardeners like to grow :
Overall , each onion variety has its unique flavor profile and culinary use of goods and services , making them a democratic and various harvest for gardeners .
When to Plant Onions in Montana
onion plant are a cool - season harvest that can be engraft in the springiness as soon as the soil can be work . The precise planting time will vary look on your localization and climate , but loosely , onions should be planted about 2 - 4 weeks before the last have a bun in the oven frost appointment in your area . The onion planting dates in Montana are :
Additional Resource : notice Your Montana Hardiness Zone
Before planting onions , it ’s all important to prepare the grime by loosening it to a depth of 4 - 6 inch and incorporating compost or well - moulder manure . onion prefer well - drain soil with a pH between 6.0 - 7.0 .
To implant onion plant stage set , which are minuscule onion bulbs , make a furrow about 1 inch cryptical , implant the sets 4 - 6 in aside , and cover them with grime . For Allium cepa semen , sow them about 1/4 inch deep and 1 column inch aside , and cover them with soil . Water the soil exhaustively after plant , and keep the stain moist until the seedling emerge .
Onions grow advantageously in full sun and require uniform wet to produce timbre bulbs . They also gain from regular dressing throughout the arise season . locoweed control is essential , so keep the area around the plants innocent of widow’s weeds .
In termination , onions should be planted in the leaping , 2 - 4 week before the last expect frost date in your area . Prepare the soil , embed the bent or seeds , water the well , and keep the area liberal of weeds . With right care , you could delight a bountiful harvest of delicious onion plant in the summertime and descent .
Planting Onions From Seed
Onions can be grown from semen , but it assume longer than plant onion sets or starts . It ’s recommended to plant Allium cepa jump rather than source because onion plant seeds take a longer time to sprout and mature , and the plants may not ripen as uniformly as onion sets .
However , planting onions from semen can be a good option if you want to acquire a specific multifariousness that is n’t useable as sets or starts . Planting onion seed can also be more cost - effective than purchasing sets or starting signal .
If you resolve to set onion from seed , you should start the ejaculate indoors 8 - 10 calendar week before the last gestate rime escort in your area . If you make up one’s mind to plant onions from germ , you should start the seeds indoors 8 - 10 week before the last expected hoar engagement in your sphere . The final frost dates in Montana are :
In Montana , set out your onion seed indoors around :
To embark on onion seeds indoors , fill semen trays with a proficient quality source - starting mix , and sprinkle the seeds on top of the grunge . Cover the germ with a thin stratum of soil , water the tray , and keep it in a warm , bright localisation . Onion seeded player need a consistent temperature of 65 - 75 ° F to bourgeon , so you may need to apply a heat mat or grow lighter to maintain the right conditions .
After the seeds have germinate , slim down the seedling to about 1 inch aside , and go along to grow them indoors until they are big enough to transplant outside . Harden off the seedling by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for a workweek before transplanting them into the garden .
When to Harvest Onions in Montana
onion plant are quick to harvest when the leaves start to turn yellowed and fall over . This typically happens in late summer or early downslope , about 100 - 120 days after implant , depending on the variety and grow conditions .
To see if the onions are ready for harvest , gently push back the ground around the foundation of the onion bulb to see if they have spring up into mature medulla oblongata . If the bulb are of the desired sizing , you may set off to harvest them .
To harvest onions , use a garden ramification or shovel to cautiously lift the bulbs out of the ground . lightly loose the grime around the bulbs to obviate damaging them . Once the bulbs are out of the soil , leave them on the earth for a day or two to dry out and cure in the sunlight . This will aid to toughen the skins and prolong the storage life of the onions .
After the onion have dried and cure for a day or two , trim back off the bow and roots to about 1 inch from the lightbulb . you could then put in the onions in a nerveless , dry berth , such as a service department or cellar , with good air circulation . Hanging them in mesh bags or tying them in braids is also a good way to stack away onions .
Onions should be stored in a place with a temperature between 32 - 40 ° F and with low-spirited humidness . annul store onion near potatoes or other fruits and vegetables that produce ethylene gas , which can cause onions to spoil more apace .
