How to Grow Onion Transplants From Seeds
Planting onion seedlings instead of sowing onion seed in the garden results in faster harvest. Transplanted onions mature five to 10 days faster than direct-seeded onions, according to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture. Those few days can make a difference in areas with short growing seasons, and can allow commercial farmers to beat out the competition with earlier sales. Raising your own transplants not only saves money, but allows you to control quality and more easily experiment with different varieties. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Planting trays
- Potting soil or soilless mixture for seedlings
- Plastic bucket
- Onion seed
Instructions
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1
Choose seedling trays with individual compartments or "cells" for the plants. Dump the potting soil in a plastic bucket and wet it thoroughly. The mixture should be moist enough to hold together when squeezed, but not runny.
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2
Fill the trays with the moist soil. Pack the soil firmly and evenly. Each cell should be approximately three-quarters full.
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3
Sprinkle one seed per cell. Cover lightly with a very thin layer of potting soil. Gather up a handful of soil and sprinkle it over each cell, covering evenly. Do not tamp.
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4
Place the trays in a sheltered location where they'll receive plenty of light and good circulation, such as on a bench in a greenhouse or beneath grow lights.
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5
Keep trays slightly damp but not soaked. Water in the morning to discourage the growth of mold. Thin plants to one plant per cell. Feed with a water-soluble fertilizer every four to six days.
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6
When the plants are eight to 10 weeks old, reduce the amount of water and fertilizer given. Move the trays outside to a shaded area to harden them off in preparation for planting. After two weeks, remove the plants from the trays and plant the seedlings in garden beds at a depth of about 1 inch, 4 inches apart.
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