When to plant onion sets in 2025
Content
Influence of climatic conditions
The time for planting seeds of any crop is determined by the following parameters:
- Varietal characteristics. Today, early, mid-season, and late varieties are distinguished, differing not only in the ripening period of the crop but also in the time of planting the seedlings;
- recommendations regarding favorable and unfavorable days indicated in the lunar calendar for a specific year;
- climatic conditions characteristic of a particular region where the crop is grown.
When determining when to plant onion sets, the climate of the growing site is the most important factor. In many regions of our country, onion sets are the primary method of growing onions.
Typically, small bulbs (sevok) are produced in the first year of cultivation. In the second year, these bulbs can produce larger, more developed bulbs. This is typical for central Russia, the Far East, and Siberia. However, in the southern regions of the country, large bulbs can be grown from seeds in just one year.
To correctly determine the planting time for this crop, it's necessary to understand its key characteristics. Onions are a cold-hardy plant. Their seeds can germinate at temperatures of 1–2°C. However, seedlings emerge most quickly in the garden at temperatures of 18–20°C.
It is worth noting that sprouted young shoots can withstand cold temperatures down to -6 °C.Therefore, onions are not afraid of the return of spring months or even snowfall in late spring. However, for optimal development, temperatures of 20–25°C are required.
Due to these characteristics, onions in many regions of our country can be planted outdoors starting in mid-spring. For example, in the central part of the country and in the Moscow region, onion sets are planted in prepared beds between April 25 and May 5.
Depending on climate, the time for planting onions may vary slightly in each region. In the southern regions, planting occurs in the second ten days of April, while in the Urals and Siberia, it begins in early May. Greenhouse onions can be planted approximately 2-3 weeks earlier than in open ground.
It's important to understand that planting onion sets in open ground too early can cause the plants to bolt. Planting them later can prevent the bulbs from fully developing by harvest time. In this case, to speed up the rooting and germination process, you can pre-soak the small bulbs in a growth stimulant solution.
If weather conditions are favorable for the plants, the first shoots will appear approximately two weeks after planting. Under unfavorable conditions, it will take about a month to see the first sprouts. To determine the optimal time to plant the seedlings, you need to determine when the soil has warmed up but still retains its spring moisture.
It's important to note that the time for planting seeds can be determined both by climate conditions and by folk wisdom. For example, this procedure can be performed when the first leaves begin to appear on the bird cherry. Besides bird cherry, coltsfoot can also be used as a guide. The small bulbs should be planted 23 days after the coltsfoot begins to bloom.
However, in addition to climate conditions, a lunar calendar, which is created for each year, can help determine the optimal time for planting.
Video: "An Easy Way to Plant Onion Sets"
This video will show you a simple and effective way to plant onion sets.
Favorable days for planting
The lunar calendar for garden crops for 2025 includes a list of both favorable and unfavorable days for planting seedlings and seeds. So, when should you plant onion sets in 2025, you ask? The most favorable days are:
- April: 7–8, 17, 29;
- May: 4–5, 14, 31;
- June: 1–2, 10–11, 18–19, 29;
- July: 7–8, 15–16;
- August: 4–5, 12–13, 31;
- September: 1, 8, 27–28;
- October: 6–7, 25;
- November: 2–3, 21–22, 29–30.
It is also worth noting that forcing this crop should occur on the following days:
- winter: December (18–19), January (24–25), February (20–22);
- spring: March (20–21), April (17);
- autumn: October (25), November (20–21).
After planting onions, the garden bed requires care, which should also be based on both weather conditions and the recommendations of the lunar calendar. For example, according to the lunar calendar, in 2025, watering should be done on the appropriate favorable days of the month. In April, these days are the 1st, 18th-19th, and 27th-28th, and in May, the 16th-17th, and 24th-25th.
On favorable days, other agricultural activities (fertilizing, mulching, weeding, etc.) should also be carried out. Such actions should be carried out either during the waxing or waning moon.
Unfavorable days for planting
As noted above, the lunar calendar includes favorable and unfavorable days. The latter, to varying degrees, include all dates not designated as favorable. It's also worth noting that any manipulation of plants is not recommended during the new moon and full moon.
It's best to stop gardening a few days before the full moon and new moon. Avoid handling plants for two days after these astronomical events.
Knowing when to plant onion sets in 2025 will help you choose the optimal time to do so and get an excellent harvest of this crop at the end of the growing season.