Overwintering Onions

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I found this interesting article on Johnny Seeds earlier today entitled "Overwintering Onions for Spring Harvest".

Basically, they start the onions in August and plant in October in their greenhouse under 2 layers of AG19 cover. They grow slowly over winter and then take off come spring, producing a nice harvest come late spring.

They state issues had- bulb splitting, bolting due to extended low temperatures and weather variation (messes with onions), and blight. But supposedly their "Bridger" onion variety proved resistance to all of these issues, including only 7% bolting. Interesting!

Keep in mind they are in zone 4 in Maine.

All that past, I thought this was a very interesting idea. Most people around here have their fall crops (broccoli, cabbage, etc.) harvested by the beginning of Oct. this would allow me ample time to squeeze out some fall crops and then throw in some onions, then cover with a low tunnel, etc. before the ground freezes come Nov.

It doesn't seem much worth it due to all of the risk factors when I could just start in spring, but I'll have salad tunnels going anyways, and it certainly wouldn't hurt to reserve a small amount of space for onions in those tunnels.

I'd be interested to see the amount of problems I'd have here in zone 6 vs. their zone 4, and I'd imagine it would be largely determined on the severity of the winter.

Thoughts?

The link to the article on Johnny Seed:

http://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/vegetables/overwintering-onions-from-seed.html

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Comments (5)

Jamie
8 years ago
Jacob- I have some info from one of Eliot Coleman’s books that might help you. I’ll write up a longer summary tomorrow.
jacoblockcuff (z5b/6a CNTRL Missouri thanked Jamie
jacoblockcuff (z5b/6a CNTRL Missouri
Original Author
8 years ago
Jamie, I've been meaning to order a book of his. What's your favorite? (Talking overwintering)

I love to watch his old "Gardening Naturally" show online. Great show
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Jamie
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
This is the one that I like the best

https://www.amazon.com/Four-Season-Harvest-Organic-Vegetables-Garden/dp/1890132276/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1528278737&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=eliot+coleman&dpPl=1&dpID=61m58X8QxFL&ref=plSrch

Also, it seems that most all of the books and articles I’ve found deal with overwintering in colder areas. There isn’t as much information for the warmer zones. Of course we don’t have the same probalems as a zone 5 gardener and we can get away with less protection. That book does give information that you can apply to any zone.
jacoblockcuff (z5b/6a CNTRL Missouri thanked Jamie
randy41_1
8 years ago
i did this one year in zone 6a. i planted them outside using one layer of ag19 set up like a low tunnel. i don't remember the variety or the severity of that winter. i ended up with very early and fairly large (leaves not the bulb part)onions that bolted but were great for green onions. they sold very well at the farmers market. if you have the space its worth trying. the timing of starting from seed in august and setting out in october is the way to go. this also works for leeks except they don't bolt and grow to maturity.
jacoblockcuff (z5b/6a CNTRL Missouri thanked randy41_1
jacoblockcuff (z5b/6a CNTRL Missouri
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Bolting is really my main concern. They claim their "Bridger" onion has a great tolerance to bolting in a cold zone 4, so I've considered trying it if I do this. I was worried it may not grow with our daylength, but according to their site it's viable from latitude 35 and up. We're 36-37ish so it certainly could work.

Thanks for the book link Jamie. Ordering it today!