Growing onions: Part 7

There are various ways to produce your own seedlings for transplant, including direct seeding in a seedbed and using a seedling tray. Bill Kerr discusses each of these methods.

- Bill Kerr

Continuing from last week’s discussion on onion seedbeds, you will have to apply nitrogen when necessary, based on leaf colour. The leaves may become paler as the plant reaches a suitable transplant size.

If the seeds were placed uniformly, the plants will all be ready to lift at the same time. Apply nitrogen a few days before transplanting, as the nitrogen will stimulate growth once the seedlings have been transplanted.

Thrips are always a potential threat to onion production. It is much easier to control them in the seedbed as you can wet the plants thoroughly with less effort.