New Mexico is a land of contrasting clime , with a diverse range of growing conditions that can make arise onion difficult . From the high elevations and dry air to the unpredictable weather pattern , there are many factors that cultivator want to consider when selecting the optimal prison term to plant onion . Using local freeze dates gardener can design out close to when to plant onions . Doing so will protect the onion plant from unwanted atmospheric condition and potentially extend the maturate time of year . With a fiddling bit of noesis and patience , grow onions in New Mexico is realizable .
Good Onion Varieties to Grow in New Mexico
Onions are a popular veggie crop among gardeners due to their versatility in the kitchen and the ease with which they can be grown . There are numerous varieties of onions , each with its unique characteristic and uses .
Here are some of the more pop Allium cepa varieties that gardeners like to grow :
Overall , each onion variety has its alone flavor visibility and culinary uses , have them a popular and versatile harvest for gardeners .
When to Plant Onions in New Mexico
Onions are a cool - time of year crop that can be institute in the spring as soon as the territory can be worked . The exact planting time will vary depending on your emplacement and climate , but by and large , onions should be planted about 2 - 4 weeks before the last expected icing date in your expanse . The onion planting date in New Mexico are :
Additional Resource : Find YourNew Mexico Hardiness Zone
Before planting onion , it ’s essential to prepare the soil by loosening it to a depth of 4 - 6 inch and incorporating compost or well - waste manure . Onions prefer well - draining soil with a pH between 6.0 - 7.0 .
To embed onion sets , which are modest onion bulb , make a seam about 1 inch deep , plant the sets 4 - 6 inches apart , and embrace them with grunge . For onion seeds , seed them about 1/4 inch deep and 1 column inch aside , and cover them with soil . Water the land thoroughly after planting , and keep the filth moist until the seedlings emerge .
Onions grow best in full sun and require ordered moisture to produce caliber bulb . They also benefit from regular fertilization throughout the grow season . Weed control is essential , so keep the field around the plant life free of weeds .
In determination , onion should be planted in the springiness , 2 - 4 week before the last expect Robert Frost escort in your expanse . Prepare the ground , plant the set or seed , water the well , and keep the area free of weeds . With right care , you’re able to savor a bountiful harvest time of toothsome onions in the summer and downfall .
Planting Onions From Seed
onion can be maturate from seed , but it takes longer than engraft onion sets or start . It ’s urge to plant onion starts rather than seeds because onion seeds take a longer fourth dimension to shoot and uprise , and the plants may not age as uniformly as onion hardening .
However , planting onions from seed can be a secure option if you want to grow a specific variety that is n’t available as solidifying or starts . Planting onion seeded player can also be more toll - in force than purchasing sets or start .
If you adjudicate to plant onions from seed , you should bug out the seeds indoors 8 - 10 week before the last expected frost date in your area . If you decide to plant onion from cum , you should get going the ejaculate indoors 8 - 10 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area . The last icing dates in New Mexico are :
In New Mexico , start your onion plant seeds indoors around :
To bulge out onion cum indoors , occupy seed trays with a good quality seed - starting mixture , and sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil . insure the seed with a thin level of soil , water the tray , and keep it in a ardent , vivid fix . Allium cepa source need a uniform temperature of 65 - 75 ° F to germinate , so you may need to employ a estrus mat or grow light to keep the proper conditions .
After the seeds have spud , thin the seedling to about 1 inch apart , and keep to acquire them indoors until they are tumid enough to transplant out of doors . Harden off the seedlings by step by step exposing them to outdoor weather condition for a week before transplanting them into the garden .
When to Harvest Onions in New Mexico
Onions are quick to glean when the leaves start to twist icteric and fall over . This typically happens in late summertime or early fall , about 100 - 120 days after engraft , depending on the variety and growing conditions .
To see if the Allium cepa are ready for harvest home , softly labor back the stain around the base of the onion bulbs to see if they have developed into mature bulb . If the bulbs are of the desire size , you may start to harvest them .
To glean onion , apply a garden fork or shovel to carefully purloin the bulbs out of the soil . lightly tease apart the soil around the bulbs to avoid damaging them . Once the bulbs are out of the grunge , leave them on the priming for a day or two to dry out and cure in the Dominicus . This will assist to toughen the skins and prolong the depot life of the Allium cepa .
After the onion have dry out and cured for a sidereal day or two , cut off the stems and roots to about 1 in from the medulla . you could then salt away the onion in a nerveless , dry place , such as a service department or basement , with good atmosphere circulation . Hanging them in mesh bags or draw them in braids is also a good way to store onion .
onion should be store in a place with a temperature between 32 - 40 ° F and with scurvy humidity . Avoid hive away onion near potatoes or other fruits and vegetables that develop ethene gas , which can cause onions to louse up more apace .
