Is it possible to store leeks and onions in a cellar or basement for the winter? Growing onions for a feather in the basement Growing onions for a feather in the basement

As soon as summer vegetables and fruits disappear from store shelves and cold weather sets in, our body begins to experience an increased need for vitamins. In winter, you can compensate for the lack of nutrients with the help of greens, for example, green onions. It can be eaten either alone or as an additive to various dishes. Winter green onions are saturated with a huge amount of vitamins; their feathers, unlike summer onions, are more fleshy and healthy.

Green onions are an unusual product that is available at any time of the year. In addition, it has many. This is what this vegetable is famous for all over the world.

The history of green onions

The history of its appearance is very interesting. It first appeared in Asia. Wild green onions were the most favorite delicacy of nomadic shepherds. They were immensely happy if on their way they found thickets of this magnificent plant. Initially, only green feathers were eaten, but a little later it became clear that the bulbs could also be eaten.

Actively developing trade led to the fact that green onions from Asia came to Egypt. It was in Egypt that he gained great fame, he was worshiped and immortalized in the form of golden sculptures. At that time, one could often find images of green onions on frescoes.

From Egypt, onions travel along trade routes to Greece. Here it is being used as a medicine. Athletes used green onions to rub their muscles before competition. The ancient Greeks believed that green onions gave strength and strength.

The Romans ate onions as they gave them strength, stamina and helped solve intestinal problems.

Growing onions in the basement with your own hands

Green onions are quite expensive if you buy them in markets or stores. It’s much cheaper to do it yourself, and it’s very easy to do.

Of course, the ideal place for growing green onions is heated and bright greenhouses, but not everyone can afford it. Therefore, an alternative to greenhouses can be the basement of your home or garage. All that is needed for growing in the basement is onions with a diameter of up to 3 cm and shelving.

Shelving is a convenient device that saves space in a small basement area and allows you to get a good harvest. You can make racks with built-in niches or with shelves on which the boxes with onions will stand.

Onions will grow equally well both in the ground and in the sand. In order for the bulbs to produce good strong green feathers, the planting material must be properly prepared. For this purpose, cut off the top about 1 cm from the bulb and keep it in warm water for several hours.

Before planting onions, the soil is fed with fertilizers. The second time green feathers appear, 2-3 weeks after planting.

Growing onions in the basement will be effective if certain conditions are met:

First, you need to ensure optimal air temperature. Onions feel comfortable at temperatures from +18 to +22 degrees.
The second important condition is lighting. Since natural sunlight does not penetrate into the basement, it is necessary to organize artificial lighting. Good lighting is the key to bright green feathers.
The third, important factor is wind. Turn on a fan in the basement periodically to improve air circulation.

Useful properties of green onions

Thanks to its unique composition, green onions are truly a real folk remedy. Despite the hot taste, onions contain sugar. It turns out that it contains even more sugar than apples and pears by 14%.

Onion phytoncides can defeat all microbes and infections. That is why doctors recommend leaning on green onions in winter.

Iron occupies an important place in the composition of onions. Salads with green onions will not only please the taste buds, but will also help increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood. Eating boiled liver with green onions has the same effect.

In general, green onions are very beneficial for the cardiovascular system. With constant consumption of it in food, the level of bad cholesterol in the blood decreases and the risk of developing vascular atherosclerosis decreases. Thanks to the potassium content, the rhythm of contraction of the heart muscle improves.

Green onions are an excellent natural antioxidant that helps prevent cancer.

Onions also have a beneficial effect on the genitourinary system, as they have an excellent diuretic effect. This effect is explained by the high content of sodium and potassium, which successfully interact and remove excess fluid from the body.

Nowadays green onions are used as a prevention and treatment of vitamin deficiencies. This is a real storehouse of vitamins: onions contain vitamin C, provitamin A, protein, vitamins B and PP, and essential oils. And growing this vitamin box with your own hands will not be difficult.

Meanwhile, different varieties of onions differ not only in taste, pungency and color, but also differ in the properties of best preservation.

Storage capacity

This angular specific term defines the ability of collected vegetables and fruits to retain their qualities and appearance.

As for onions, keeping quality is genetically inherent in the variety.

The most suitable for storage are the late spicy varieties, the least suitable are the early sweet ones, including the famous red Yalta onion.

The latter should be used first; in the third month of storage they will begin to sprout and deteriorate.

Yellow onion

The most popular member of the onion family. Actually, the bulbs themselves are white, but their thin skin-husk is yellowish-brown.

The majority of varieties of this type are considered the hottest, but after cooking the dish the spiciness softens and the aroma comes first.

Lasts longer than others. Under favorable conditions, it can last for about six months, and in some cases until the next harvest.

White onion

Very popular in Spain and Latin America.

Typically larger than yellow, the white skin is thick, like wax paper.

It is considered a salad, but it can also be stored.

True, “pale-faced” is more demanding on conditions such as dryness of the room. The timing directly depends on the variety, for example, the late-ripening Snowball easily lasts for 6 months, and the early-ripening White King variety does not last long, although the taste is not so spicy.

Red onion

The most popular sweets are called “Crimean”, “Yalta”, “pink”, “violet”. It has the most delicate, sweetish taste. In Crimea, thanks to the climate and the peculiarities of economic traditions, they know how to save it until the beginning of the next season.

Unfortunately, the shelf life of Yalta under normal conditions does not exceed 2 months. But there are other red varieties that last well until spring.

Winter types of red onions are sweeter.

Preparing for storage

We take the first step to preparation right in the garden.

The fringe of the rhizomes and the dried “forelocks” of the stems should be cut off from the dug up bulbs, leaving a shoot of about two fingers.

Dispose of the trimmings into compost (a very useful component).

Carry out a preliminary screening here. Set aside the shot, soft, empty onion, touched with a shovel or pitchfork, for immediate use and processing into spicy preserves. You can make it delicious

In good dry weather, leave conditioned bulbs on the ground to dry overnight (before dew falls). Then transfer it to the prepared room.

If the yard is damp and rainy, spread the crop directly under the canopy on straw. But this will not save you from damp air; the bulbs will accumulate atmospheric moisture, some of them will inevitably germinate or begin to rot. It’s better not to rush to the garden with a shovel and not take risks, but look at the long-term forecast and wait until the weather gets better.

At the same time, it should be remembered that overripe onions of any kind will not be stored for long. And this rule also applies to. To start cleaning on time, it is recommended to keep a diary and write down the planting date. Harvesting should be done in accordance with the ripening period. If you don’t have personal experience yet, look for recommendations on gardener forums in your region.

Before that, let's start preparing the storage.

How to store onions in the cellar in winter?

The best place to store onions after harvesting is the cellar (basement).

Based on the expected volume, prepare special racks ahead of time: durable lattice shelves with high, breathable sides.

It is better to make the rack from a metal corner, the shelves from wooden beams with slots to ensure unhindered air circulation.

The load on the sides of the shelves will be minimal; they can be covered with fine-mesh plastic mesh or burlap. For ease of access, the sides can be folded down.

We don’t paint, we whitewash!

Wooden parts should not be painted. The coating will provide the structure with protection from mold, but in this case a different solution is needed. The smell of paint or drying oil can easily be absorbed into the onion.. It is customary to protect wood in cellars from fungus with slaked lime whitewash. No other chemicals or antifungal agents should be used in storage.

Remember the smell

Another condition: arrange onion racks as far as possible from shelves and drawers with other vegetables or fruits stored in the room. Apples, which may also be in cellars, as we know, with an onion flavor, no one will like, and it will no longer be possible to rid the fruits of a persistent foreign smell.

Ideally, a separate sector fenced off from the penetration of odors with good ventilation is required.

Let's go through

In autumn and winter, don’t be too lazy to sort through your onion treasures in the cellar 2-3 times. This procedure will greatly extend the shelf life of supplies. The heavy “onion spirit” will tell you about its long-overdue need. Its appearance should not be allowed: the “spirit” means that the bulbs on the shelves are beginning to rot.

Put the turnips that cause concern in a separate box for use in the coming days.

Take a dozen or two sprouted bulbs into the house and place them in jars of water on the windowsill.

Or even plant it in the ground in a container.

For a few days they will provide you with green shoots for a fresh, vitamin-rich salad.

Long-term storage conditions

Ventilation, absence of dampness and sunlight - these are the three pillars on which the success of storing any vegetables is based.

Before storing onions on the rack, you should clear any lumps of dried soil, sort out and discard damaged “turnips.”

The layer of root vegetables on the shelf should not exceed 30-50 cm, so as not to impede the movement of air flows.

It is important to know at what temperature to store onions. Indicators should not fall below 0°C and exceed + 5°C. Frozen onions lose their marketable appearance and beneficial properties. In addition, low temperatures weaken the bulbs' resistance to diseases caused by putrefactive bacteria.

Short-term exposure to low temperatures has a great effect on the taste of onions - it becomes sweeter. But you should eat it soon - it won’t last long.

The bulbs perceive elevated temperatures as a signal for germination. Their internal structure changes irreversibly, forming sprouts. But without the sun, full-fledged metabolism of plants is impossible; they begin to collapse and rot. This process gives rise to that very unpleasant “onion spirit”.

How to store onions in winter at home?

In private houses, cellars and basements are usually provided, which cannot be said about apartments in high-rise buildings.

Of course, you can’t make strategic reserves of onions in urban areas.

Even if there are mezzanines and a storage room, where it has long been customary to store onions in an apartment, it is impossible to place them in impressive quantities, as in a cellar.

The temperature and concentration of vapors will not allow it.

The onion should be spread out. For containers, prepare:

wicker baskets (they are environmentally friendly and perfectly breathable);
shallow wooden boxes (plastic ones are worse, but possible);
cardboard boxes (make holes for ventilation);
loose canvas bags (small in size: in large bales the bottom layer of onions will certainly be blocked);
paper bags (put in a little onion);
propylene nets for storing vegetables (excellent ventilation, convenient to inspect and promptly detect specimens close to spoilage).

Another way to properly store onions in an apartment is familiar to everyone - keep it on a glassed-in balcony, but only if the temperature allows.

Is it possible to store onions in the refrigerator? Of course you can! This is an excellent place in the apartment - there are simply ideal conditions, but even the largest unit will not fit much.

Let's not let the harvest go to waste!

If, when inspecting your supplies, you find suspicious bulbs, collect them in a group, carefully remove the damaged specimens and place them on a pen.

In order for decorative onion braids to please you longer, the air temperature in the kitchen should not exceed 25°C.

If you decide to braid your hair yourself, do not cut off the tops of the bulb, but start the braiding process when the ponytail is still elastic. You can also weave in heads of garlic - onions and garlic can be stored together if you use this method.

Another popular storage method. Place the bulbs in worn nylon stockings or tights. Create an individual “box” for each bulb, separating it with a tightly tied rope from the previous and subsequent ones. To use, cut the bulbs as you would for a braid.

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Growing onions in the basement

Green onions are an unusual product available at any time of the year. In addition, it has many healing properties. This is what this vegetable is famous for all over the world.

The history of green onions

The history of the appearance of green onions is very interesting. It first appeared in Asia. Wild green onions were the most favorite delicacy of nomadic shepherds. They were immensely happy if on their way they found thickets of this magnificent plant. Initially, only green feathers were eaten, but a little later it became clear that the bulbs could also be eaten.

Actively developing trade led to the fact that green onions from Asia came to Egypt. It was in Egypt that he gained great fame, he was worshiped and immortalized in the form of golden sculptures. At that time, one could often find images of green onions on frescoes.

The Romans ate onions as they gave them strength, stamina and helped solve intestinal problems.

Growing onions in the basement with your own hands

Green onions are quite expensive if you buy them in markets or stores. It is much cheaper to grow it yourself, and it is also very easy to do.

Of course, the ideal place for growing green onions is heated and bright greenhouses, but not everyone can afford it. Therefore, an alternative to greenhouses can be the basement of your home or garage. All that is needed to grow green feathers in the basement is a planting onion with a diameter of up to 3 cm and shelving.

Shelving is a convenient device that saves space in a small basement area and allows you to get a good harvest. You can make racks with built-in niches or with shelves on which the boxes with onions will stand.

Before planting onions, the soil is fed with fertilizers. Fertilize the second time when green feathers appear, 2-3 weeks after planting.

Growing onions in the basement will be effective if certain conditions are met:

First, you need to ensure optimal air temperature. Onions feel comfortable at temperatures from +18 to +22 degrees.

The second important condition is lighting. Since natural sunlight does not penetrate into the basement, it is necessary to organize artificial lighting. Good lighting is the key to bright green feathers.

The third, important factor is wind. Turn on a fan in the basement periodically to improve air circulation.

Useful properties of green onions

Thanks to its unique composition, green onions are truly a real folk remedy. Despite the hot taste, onions contain sugar. It turns out that it contains even more sugar than apples and pears by 14%.

Onion phytoncides can defeat all microbes and infections. That is why doctors recommend leaning on green onions in winter.

Green onions are an excellent natural antioxidant that helps prevent cancer.

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If you have opened this article, it means that you are faced with a specific task - to grow a good harvest of green onions in your basement. Therefore, we will immediately get down to business, reserving the final part of the material for interesting facts and general points.

Construction of shelving

It is also very convenient to work with racks, since it is easy to attach various additional equipment to them (for example, lighting systems), and if you correctly plan their location and size, you can significantly simplify further processes of care and harvesting.

Dimensions and number of tiers

Of course, first of all, the dimensions of the racks will depend on the size of the room itself. However, it is still possible to outline the basic recommendations that should be followed.

Conclusions. The length of the rack can be any, but other parameters should be selected taking into account how comfortable it will be for you during the work process. The distance between adjacent racks should not restrict movement; the width and height should not make it difficult to work with the crop. Growing onions should not turn into “hard labor”; try to ensure proper comfort.

What are the racks made of?

In order for our racks to be stable, reliable and strong, in addition to dimensions and convenience, we also need to choose the right materials used for their construction.

Wooden shelving is the simplest option, which is perfect for beginners. If you want to try your hand at this for the first time and growing greens is new to you, you can choose this material for the first time.

cheapness;

predisposition to the appearance of mold and mildew, rotting.

Metal shelving is a much more “solid” option. Suitable if growing greens brings you additional income or you know for sure that you will do this constantly for your own needs.

more difficult to work with than wood.

Preparation of planting material and planting

Optimal conditions

A little trick recommended by some experts. At the initial stage, keep the temperature in the basement around +15 °C. At this temperature, root systems actively develop. When the green onions begin to sprout, raise this indicator to the optimal value indicated above.

It should be noted that the basement is an excellent option for maintaining a good temperature. In summer it may well be in the region of the required indicators, and in winter it will be enough to only additionally heat the room.

Onions will grow well if you create optimal conditions for them in the basement.

Another factor that is of utmost importance in the process of growing green onions relates to the lighting system. This point is often considered a disadvantage, since it implies increased costs, including electricity. But we cannot do without additional lighting, since our greenery requires sufficient light to grow. Onions are plants whose development accelerates significantly with increasing daylight hours (photoperiod).

The minimum length of daylight hours for onions is about 10–15 hours. It is advisable to get closer to the second value, since with a lack of light we will not only slow down the cultivation, but also get an almost tasteless yellowish harvest.

Another trick. Cover surfaces that absorb light with reflective material. For example, foil. This simple trick will significantly improve your lighting efficiency.

Finally, let us mention the importance of good ventilation in the basement. Among other things, it will help cope with the unpleasant odor that often accompanies the process of growing green onions.

Interesting facts and useful properties

The harvested crop can be sold or used for cooking.

Many people consider growing this plant as a source of additional income. It turns out something like a family home business. In this case, the crop is planted taking into account the main holidays, when the demand for products is high. In some cases, entrepreneurs manage to achieve very decent profitability.

But it also makes sense to do this exclusively for your own needs. Green onion “feathers” are very beneficial for health, we believe this is no secret to anyone. It fights microbes, contains a lot of useful substances and is also an excellent antioxidant, and in winter it serves as an additional means to help overcome vitamin deficiency.

No wonder people say that onions and sauna rule. We wish you a good harvest and good health!

Technology for growing onions in the basement

Some people harvest onion feathers for their own needs, others for sale on the market, but everyone is looking for the most convenient ways to obtain greens.

Some are interested in how to grow onions using hydroponics or sawdust, others are interested in the technology of growing onions in a basement or cellar. Let's find out how onion feathers are grown in basement conditions in order to provide ourselves with a good harvest of delicate spicy feathers.

How to grow onions in the basement

Onion racks

Feather forcing is carried out on wooden or metal multi-tiered racks, saving space in the basement. Lamps are attached to the racks to illuminate the plantings.

There should be about a meter of free space between the racks so that you can easily move between them to care for the plants.

The length of the structures can be any, the width can be from 0.5 to 1 m, depending on access to the rack (if it can be approached from both sides, you need a larger width), and the height can be as convenient as possible for you: you should easily reach the bow without stepladder. The distance between tiers equipped with side boards 7-10 cm high (they turn the racks into planting boxes) should be 50 cm.

We put polyethylene on each tier-box, wrapping it over the edges of the sides: soil is poured onto it to force the onion feathers.

If the rack is made of metal, be sure to paint it, protecting it from the humidity that comes with growing onions.

Now we will learn how to grow onions in the basement.

Growing onions in the basement

Preparing and planting onions

Most often, onions are grown in the basement by planting them in the ground - fertile garden soil, flavored, if necessary, with sand and peat. Some gardeners plant onions in special soil purchased from garden stores.

Onions are prepared for planting as follows:

We choose medium-sized onions, the diameter of which does not exceed 5 cm.

We sort through the planting material, rejecting bulbs with mold and damage.

Trim the top part - 0.5 - 1 cm.

Soak the onion in warm water for a couple of hours and start planting.

We plant the onions in the ground, pouring them into shelving compartments on a polyethylene backing. We place the planting material at a distance of 5 cm from each other. The top of the bulbs should be above the soil; you cannot sprinkle it on it - it will rot.

Caring for onions in the basement

The technology for growing onions in the basement is not very different from forcing onions in open ground. We care for onions in the basement in this way:

Temperature

It is the temperature that determines how quickly the onion will grow green mass. Ideally, the temperature in the basement should be 20-25 degrees Celsius: with this regime, feathers will grow within 20 days.

But it’s better to stick to +15 degrees at first so that the onion develops a strong root system. As the onion germinates, we raise the temperature level to the recommended level above.

Fertilizer

We fertilize the soil with mineral and nitrogen fertilizers 2 weeks after planting the onions.

Caring for onions in the basement

Lighting

Growing onions in the basement will require adequate lighting: low light will result in a crop of thin, pale feathers without a distinct flavor. The longer the daylight hours last, the better the onion grows and the better quality it turns out.

The ideal daylight hours for onions last 15 hours: if possible, we approach this figure. We illuminate the plantings with phytolamps or fluorescent lamps, placing them only from above: the onions will grow straight and beautiful.

To get a greater effect from lighting, we cover surfaces that absorb light with foil. It reflects light and gives the beam additional illumination.

Watering

It is equally important to moisten the soil in which the onions grow in a timely manner. We provide it with timely watering without flooding the soil, otherwise the roots will rot. We make sure that the soil remains loose, giving a good flow of oxygen to the roots.

In addition, the basement should be well ventilated: ventilation relieves the room of the not very pleasant smell that often accompanies the cultivation of onion feathers, and does not allow fungi to develop.

Now you know how simple the technology for growing onions in the basement is, and you can easily master this process. The main thing is to follow all the recommendations for preparing bulbs for planting and caring for them, and you will get an excellent harvest of fragrant onion leaves, rich in vitamins and minerals!

Growing green onions in the basement - subtleties and secrets

How to grow green onions in the basement - a practical guide

So, we have to build the right racks for growing onions, prepare planting material, plant them and ensure that optimal conditions are maintained to obtain excellent results. Read on to learn about everything in order. Let's get started!

Perhaps, the racks can be considered the most suitable device for organizing the cultivation of green onions in the basement. Let's start with the fact that the ability to arrange shelving in several tiers is a great advantage that will help you make the most efficient use of the available space.

By placing shelves in several tiers you can significantly save space.

Making shelves and racks in the basement is an easy task. You can also build racks for growing onions with your own hands without much effort.

Since our website has separate detailed material devoted to the construction of shelves and racks in basements, in this article we will focus only on the key differences and features of preparing racks specifically for green onions.

So, our main task is to increase the usable planting area, while minimizing the space occupied by shelving as much as possible. As mentioned above, this can be achieved by building a structure in several tiers.

Use of reflective surfaces.

Distance between racks. If you are building several racks side by side, plan the distance between them. The minimum gap that does not impede passage and work with the crop is considered to be a distance of about 1 meter.
Rack length. It can be any, depending on your tasks and how much space is allocated in your basement for growing.
Width. It is important not to overdo it with width. This setting may vary. If the rack can only be approached from one side (for example, it fits close to the wall), then its width can be from 0.5 to 1 meter. If there is access from both sides, the width can accordingly be doubled. It is important to choose a design width that will not complicate further work.
Height. Here, too, it is important to choose the most convenient option for work. Most often, it is recommended to make shelving in two tiers, so that you do not have to care for the crop and harvest it while standing on some high and unstable structure. Make the height of the first tier about 1 meter, the second tier can be placed after about 0.5 meters.

Wooden shelving is an easy option to implement.

Wood is relatively easy to work with (process and fasten with self-tapping screws).

less reliable design (compared to metal);

Each tier of the rack must be equipped with side skirts. The permissible height of the side is no more than 10 cm. A plastic film is laid on the tier (can be wrapped over the edges of the sides). We will later pour the growing substrate onto the film.

Pay special attention to the overlap of the tiers. They bear the pressure of the substrate, onion and moisture, so ensuring maximum strength is critical. The thickness of the floor boards should be at least 30–50 millimeters. You can lay the boards at small intervals (about 2 centimeters), then less material will be required. It is important to strike a balance between economy and reliability.

more durable and reliable design;
durability.
high cost;
susceptibility to corrosion (although the problem of rust, as you probably know, is completely solvable);

Let us outline the principles of constructing a metal rack, which differ from those described above.

To fasten the structure, you can use welding or a metal drill and fasteners. It is important to understand that in the first case you will end up with a non-demountable rack.

The construction of metal racks requires compliance with safety and precautionary measures (as well as wooden ones, however). Treat sharp edges to avoid cuts, use angles of at least 50x50x5 to increase reliability, use a level to load all posts evenly.

Be sure to paint the metal rack to protect it from the moisture that inevitably accompanies growing green onions.

And a couple more useful tips. First, you can use scrap metal for extra savings. Secondly, remember the possibility of combining different materials to achieve the same result - it depends on your imagination and skill.

Green onions can be planted either on the ground or using hydroponic installations, which have already been mentioned several times on our website. However, due to the unpretentiousness of onions (from this point of view), it is easier to plant them in the ground.

Plain garden soil is usually used. You can add sand and peat. You can also use a special substrate.

Carefully cut off the top of each onion.

It is advisable to choose relatively small bulbs themselves (about 3–5 centimeters in diameter). Carefully sort through and remove spoiled and moldy specimens. The tops of the selected bulbs are cut off (about 1 centimeter), after which the planting material is placed in warm water for several hours.

Then you can start planting. The bulbs can be placed quite close to each other, leaving gaps of a few centimeters. Do not bury them completely in the ground, leaving the top of the bulb above the surface.

Let's start with the temperature regime. This is one of the most important factors that directly affects the speed of obtaining green onion “feathers”. The optimal temperature for achieving the fastest results is +20 - +25 °C. In this case, you will get green sprouting after about three weeks.

Make sure that the temperature of the top and bottom racks (which are closest to the ground) is approximately the same. Otherwise, consider the difference in ripening speed.

Hydration also plays a significant role. Water the onions intensively, but avoid the formation of “stagnant” water. If the onion is over-watered, an unwanted process of rotting may begin. It is quite problematic to implement a drainage system on multi-tiered racks. But we covered the tiers with oilcloth, so it will be quite easy to ensure that the water has time to evaporate and does not stagnate, adjusting the intensity of watering.

Finally, let’s mention a few interesting facts and talk about the beneficial properties of green onions.

Proper cultivation of leeks in open ground

The taste of many salads would not be as subtle without such an ingredient as leek. Thanks to its excellent gastronomic qualities and rich vitamin composition, the plant is grown by many gardeners. An annual crop native to the Mediterranean, it has unusual greenish-blue feathers with a characteristic aroma. The lack of pungency and sweetish taste elevate the variety to the category of aromatic spices.

When to plant leeks

Due to the long growing season (about six months) and the climate characteristics of central Russia, it is better to grow leeks using seedlings. It is being sown in the second half of February or early March into prepared boxes, pots or cups.

To obtain seedlings, watering and temperature conditions must be observed. If you sow seeds in open ground, you may not get a harvest due to the death of the plant due to frost and snow (the danger of freezing exists in both spring and autumn). Some gardeners practice growing leeks to produce greens, which are harvested in July.

Some gardeners grow leeks for greenery

One way to plant onions involves sowing seeds in late autumn (usually in November). It is important to ensure that the weather forecasts are not warm, this will provoke rapid germination.

Planting seeds for growing seedlings at home

Proper preparation of soil and seed material

Used to plant seeds a mixture of turf and compost soil with the addition of humus. Leeks love nutritious and light soil; in a dense substrate, the seeds may not sprout.

Leek seeds

When using a peat base, you should not forget to feed it with any additives:

dolomite flour;
urea;
double superphosphate;
potassium sulfate.

Spring sowing is usually done in March to produce onions by September. The timing and pattern of planting and sowing can be adjusted depending on the time of harvest.

How to plant seeds

Before you plant the seeds soaking at home in water at room temperature and kept for a day, and then dried.

Another preparation option involves keeping the seeds in a thermos with water (40 degrees) for 2-4 hours followed by rinsing under a cool shower and drying. Boxes 35 x 50 cm are used as containers.

The consumption of seed material for such a container is 2-3 grams. After filling the container, the soil surface is covered with a 3-5 mm layer of sand and moistened.

First shoots from sprinkled leek seeds

To obtain good germination of planting, it is necessary to create favorable conditions. Among the main ones:

correct temperature within 22 degrees before emergence;
temperature adjustment after emergence (in the daytime up to 18-20 degrees, at night up to 8-14 degrees);
carry out watering heated water;
provide good lighting for photosynthesis.

Picking and hardening

It is better to grow crop seedlings without picking, there is no need to plant them in separate containers. The seedlings will be ready for planting in open ground after reaching the age of 2-2.5 months.

For 6-7 weeks after the shoots appear, seedlings need harden. To do this, boxes or pots should be taken outside and left in partial shade for several hours, gradually increasing the time spent in the air. In strong winds, aerial procedures are not recommended.

Planting onion seedlings in open ground

Seedlings are planted in open ground in the first half of May, for example, this applies to the Moscow region. Before the important stage, it is necessary to thoroughly moisten the soil so as not to damage the root system of the plant. It is better to do the work in the evening or in cloudy weather. Active sun can destroy young shoots.

The soil for planting must be neutral reaction, quite loose. If the soil is acidified, it must first be limed.

It is advisable to start preparing the beds in the fall. To do this, the area is dug up and cleared of roots and weeds, after which processed with Nitrophoska(2 tbsp per 1 m2). In early spring, the beds are enriched with humus and compost without additional digging of the soil.

Furrows are prepared for planting seedlings

When the seedlings are ready to be transplanted, furrows are prepared in the selected area. Their depth is 10-15 cm, interval – 25-30 cm. A distance of 10-20 cm is maintained between shoots, depending on the variety.

Before being immersed in the ground, each root is treated with a special mash, which is prepared from clay, manure and water (all components are taken in equal proportions). Sprouts too long shortened to 4 cm. The seedlings are sprinkled with soil in small quantities. Replanting work ends with abundant watering.

Leek care after transplantation

Leeks are not very demanding to care for, but it will take some effort to get a harvest. To grow a good harvest that will not be afraid of transportation and will grow healthy, you need to care for it properly.

regular watering;
weeding;
hilling (3-4 times during the growing season);
bait;
loosening;
treatment against diseases and pests.

For a good harvest, it is necessary to regularly remove weeds and loosen

Leeks are fed during the season 3-4 times. The plant responds well to organic fertilizers: mullein, compost, bird droppings. Mineral complexes rich in potassium, phosphorus and other micro and macroelements are also suitable. It is recommended to combine each hilling with the introduction of ash.

Once every 2 weeks you need to loosen the soil around the shoots until the stem becomes as thick as a pencil. Further, the procedures become more frequent and expand into the furrow zone to saturate the soil with oxygen and prevent soil compaction.

Leeks respond well to feeding with mullein solution

Harvesting and storage

The plant should be cleaned of damaged and dried leaves, remove the top of the feathers(about 1/3 of the length), trim at the root part by 1 cm.

The harvest is well preserved in the refrigerator, wrapped in cling film. Before packaging, the stems need to be cooled so that condensation does not form under the polyethylene. Basements, cellars or pits with a temperature regime of no higher than 2-5 degrees are also suitable as storage.

For preparations for the winter, leeks are placed in the freezer. After defrosting, it retains its properties and is quite suitable for consumption.

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Growing green onions is a universal activity and possible even with minimal investment. The profitability of a business directly depends on the volume of plants produced, and onions can be grown almost anywhere: on a windowsill in a residential building, in a greenhouse, in a garage, in a basement.

Technology for growing green onions - what kind of room should there be for growing green onions?

Growing onions, as well as, in closed equipped premises guarantees year-round income. In this case, human participation in the process is reduced to the simplest actions: primary processing of raw materials and collection of greenery.

Despite the unpretentiousness of the plant, general growing recommendations should still be followed. This will reduce time costs and get a good harvest.

There are three characteristics that determine ideal conditions for the growth of green onions:

Comfortable air temperature.
Sufficient room lighting.
High-quality soil irrigation.

The size of the business premises is also important, which affects the volume of products produced.

The room must be dry, not infected with mold or fungi and, if possible, light.

Here are possible room options for growing green onions:

Greenhouse

The simplest summer greenhouse is made of a wooden frame, which is covered on top with a thick plastic film. You can assemble such a structure yourself using available materials and tools.

In the warm season, greenhouses and greenhouses do not require additional lighting or heating. Natural air temperature and sunlight will be sufficient for plant growth.

Growing green onions in a greenhouse is the most environmentally friendly way, since such conditions are as close as possible to natural ones.

Basement and garage

An alternative to a greenhouse can be a basement or garage. However, these premises require additional preparation. The first step is to insulate them. The materials used are safe thermal insulators, for example, based on polyethylene foam or polystyrene foam.

The next stage is the installation of shelving. They can be purchased ready-made or made independently, for example, from wood. If necessary, such racks are disassembled and transported to a new location.

A good design for long-term use should be metal, for example, welded from a profile or pipes. Naturally, it will require more significant investments.

Growing green onions in a basement or garage requires the creation of the following favorable conditions:

Heating . For maximum onion growth, it is necessary to maintain a temperature range from +18 to +22 °C. Any devices can be used as heaters, but it is worth remembering that electrical devices will require significant energy costs;
Lighting . The brighter the light in the room, the richer the color of the onion feather. Therefore, if possible, the room should be equipped with fluorescent lamps;
Ventilation . The air in the basement or garage must be constantly circulated. It is advisable not just to install internal fans, but to organize the supply of fresh air from the street. This will give the plants a more comfortable environment and prevent the development of mold and mildew indoors.

Windowsill

The easiest way to grow onions is on a windowsill. A loggia is well suited for this. In the summer, no additional tricks will be needed, but in the winter, the loggia should be insulated and glazed. If the windows face north, you can arrange artificial lighting.

With good lighting and air temperatures from +23 to +27, green onions will grow 30 cm in approximately 2-2.5 weeks.

How to properly grow green onions for sale - features of planting material for growing green onions

Almost anything can be used as planting material: soil, sand, sawdust. There are options in which onions grow without soil and feed exclusively on water. This method is called hydroponics.

Earth and sand

This is the standard planting base for the plant. If you grow onions in a greenhouse on a plot of land, it is recommended to fertilize and loosen the soil.

Flaw: In all other cases, you will need to purchase special mixtures. The soil should be universal and have an acidity of 6 to 7 ph.

Sawdust

Sawdust is a cheap material. Their main property is looseness and the ability to retain moisture. However, this environmental material does not contain nutrients, so additional mineral fertilizers will be needed.

Plants planted in sawdust will not require too frequent watering. When cut, ripe green onions will remain clean (unlike those growing in soil mixture).

Sawdust has one drawback – with prolonged use, they begin to rot, and mixed with the remains of onion roots, they turn into compost and require replacement.

Growing green onions hydroponically assumes that the plant will be fed not from the soil, but thanks to the circulating medium supplied to the roots. This medium can be based on water or a solid porous substance that has excellent moisture retention and good air permeability.

Coconut fiber is ideal as a substrate. It is absolutely natural, capable of swelling greatly and accumulating water, while allowing air to pass through.

The system for planting onions must contain channels filled with a solid substrate or blown with an air-nutrient mixture. The bulbs are placed in these channels. As needed, an aqueous solution rich in minerals is released through the ducts.

The order of placing hydroponic layers is as follows:

Onion roots.
Organic substrate.
Net.
Nutrient solution.

The most important aspect of this growing method is high-quality aeration (air saturation) of the roots. Therefore, the mesh and nutrient solution should be placed at a distance of about 5 cm from each other.

The yield of onions growing hydroponically will be higher, and the cost of purchasing planting materials will be lower.

Equipment and appliances for growing green onions indoors

Growing onions for greens can be made as simple and convenient as possible by using various devices. For example, use professional phytolamps that stimulate plant growth as a source of artificial light.

Drip irrigation systems are perfect for watering onions in greenhouses. With their help, water consumption is noticeably reduced, and the liquid itself is evenly distributed throughout the planted area.

There are entire installations designed in the form of racks, into which light sources and containers for soil are built. Such equipment is already ready for use; all that remains is to place onions in it and water it until the harvest is obtained.

There are commercially available hydroponic systems that work as follows:

On the water.
On the substrate.
On aeroponics (air).

This equipment can be used immediately; all that is needed is to purchase the raw materials and prepare the nutrient mixture.

Planting and growing green onions on a feather - how to grow green onions in winter?

Green onions can be successfully produced at any time of the year. However, this will entail considerable additional investments - at a minimum, you will need to organize heating and lighting. Even if you use a garage or basement for business, in which it is already necessary to install sources of artificial light, you will need heating devices.

If the volumes in the soil are relatively small, you can pre-treat the onions before planting. This will speed up the germination process several times.

The procedure is:

The bulbs are placed in a container and completely filled with cold water.
After one hour, all the water is drained.
Planting in the ground is carried out within a day.

To grow green onions in a greenhouse in winter, you should pay attention to the quality of the structure and organize favorable conditions inside it.

If you plan to run a business for the long term, it is advisable to build a greenhouse thoroughly:

The frame is made of metal or durable wooden profile.
Make the base of the greenhouse.
Coat all floors and structures with paint or primer.
Cover the greenhouse with durable polycarbonate film.

The growth rate of green onions directly depends on the ambient or room temperature:

At 12C ° Onions ripen for about four weeks.
At 17C ° – about 26 days.
At 20C ° – about 22 days.
At 22C ° – about 20 days.
At 25C ° – about 2.5 weeks.

It is better to grow green onions in the cold season using winter and frost-resistant plant varieties. They adapt better to lower temperatures and will be able to produce higher yields under less favorable conditions.

Is winter and summer cultivation of green onions profitable - the real reasons for selling an onion growing business

This business is considered quite profitable, but there are always parameters that can greatly influence profitability. Naturally, due to the unequal amount of mandatory expenses, summer and winter onion cultivation has noticeable differences.

In summer:

In the greenhouse – plants develop only due to sunlight. Auxiliary sources of heat and light are not needed.
In the basement and garage – heating devices are either not required at all, or must operate at minimum power (for example, in a cold basement).
On the windowsill – Green onions grow on their own using sunlight. The room temperature does not need to be adjusted.

In winter:

In the greenhouse – the structure itself must be made of more expensive and durable materials. Inside the greenhouse you need to create a comfortable microclimate using additional sources of heat and sometimes light.
In the basement and garage – higher quality thermal insulation materials may be required. You also cannot do without heating devices.
On the windowsill – if you use a loggia for growing onions, it will need to be glazed, insulated and, possibly, heated.

During the cold season, the market value of green onions increases, which compensates for the necessary expenses. An undoubted advantage is the possibility of longer storage of already cut greens. Not every activity is necessarily successful.

There are a number of reasons that may hinder the development of the business and prompt the owner to think about selling the business:

Lack of personal vehicles . If onions are grown in a greenhouse outside the city, and for marketing they need to be transported, one passenger car will not be enough. In this case, it is appropriate to use a small cargo transport, since the harvest volumes can be impressive, and the greens must retain their presentation and not be wrinkled. If there is no opportunity to purchase a vehicle, doing business can be very difficult.
Unprofitability . Growing onions in winter entails another cost item - lighting and heating. If your greenhouse, garage, or basement is located in an inconvenient location or in an area with high energy rates, the cost of maintaining the desired temperature can have a significant impact on profit margins.
Increase in price of raw materials . In a lean year, the price of onions increases greatly, which adversely affects the cost of green products.
Lack of market . Not every green onion producer has its own retail outlet for selling the grown product. Very often, finished products are sold in bulk at prices 1.5-2 times lower than retail prices. If supply exceeds demand, the purchase price may be reduced to an unacceptable minimum, making the business unprofitable.

Real business plan for growing green onions for sale

All initial potential costs can be divided into three categories:

Purchase or rental of premises/land.
Improvement of the premises (construction, insulation).
Technical equipment (racks, instruments, installations, containers).

These costs are in addition to regular expenses:

For the purchase of raw materials (bulbs, mineral fertilizers, water).
For transportation of finished products.
To maintain the necessary microclimate (lighting, heating, ventilation).
For workers' wages.

Not all points are mandatory, since the premises for growing onions may be owned, and additional labor will not be needed.

Business advantages:

Unpretentiousness to conditions and rapid plant growth.
Minimum financial investment.
Fast payback for small volumes.

Example of a business plan for growing onions in a greenhouse:

Name	Options
Land area	100 sq. m.
Effective area	75 sq.m.
Average growth period of green onions	3 weeks (21 days)
Volume of grown products for 1 month	350 – 550 kg green feathers
Wholesale cost of planting material	8 RUR/1 kg
Cost of 1 kg of green feather	from 10 to 60 rub.
Possible losses of green crops (due to climate, weather, etc.)	30%
Wholesale cost of selling 1 kg of onions in summer	30 - 50 rub.
Wholesale cost of selling 1 kg of onions in winter	200 rub.
Amount of onions sold per day by large producers	1000 – 3000 kg
Amount of onions sold per month by average producers	1500 kg
The amount of start-up capital required to start a business	100 – 150 thousand rubles.
The amount of monthly profit at the very beginning of the business when using an area of 75 sq.m.	20 thousand rubles.
Monthly profit for growing 3000 kg of onions per month	150 thousand rubles.

The profitability of a business for growing onions in a greenhouse is about 30% in winter and more than 50% in the warm season

This difference is explained by the costs of heating and renting a greenhouse. Depending on the scope of the activity, a business can pay for itself in a period of several months to several years.

Green onions are deservedly considered the most popular greens in the autumn-winter period. Remember how in childhood we grew it on the windowsill in jars. But if you want to build your own business growing green onions, jars are no longer enough.
Green onions can give very good profit. Sometimes profitability reaches 400-700%, but for this you need to work hard. Although there is nothing fundamentally difficult about this.

Ideally, green onions should be grown or grown in heated and light greenhouses. Growing or forcing green onions in a greenhouse is the topic of a separate article, so now I will focus on the method of producing greens in the basement, cellar or garage. When I decided to start my own business of forcing green onions, I was faced with a problem: I don’t have money for a greenhouse! Then I seriously thought about my cellar.

So, my cellar or basement, in my opinion, was ideal for growing onion greens. The dimensions of the basement working area, which I allocated for myself for gardening, were only 2 by 2 meters. That is, only four square meters of total area, including the space between the shelves.

I decided to grow onions on racks. For this purpose, two three-tier racks were built.

About what is written here. Growing greens on racks is the best way to get maximum profit from a minimum amount of space. And if you are going to force green onions in the basement, cellar or garage, then you simply cannot do without racks. You won't plant onions directly on the floor, and you won't pour soil directly onto the floor, will you?

Among the positive aspects of growing green onions in basements and cellars, it is worth noting the ease of heating the premises. In a normal basement the temperature is always above zero. While it can be 20 degrees below zero outside. Accordingly, it is much easier to heat the air from +5 to +20 than from 20 degrees below zero to 20 degrees above zero.
The second advantage of a basement (if it is under the house) is ease of use.
And among the main disadvantages is the need for artificial lighting. Artificial lighting is vital for obtaining high-quality onion greens.

When you have resolved all the technical issues of arranging your basement, cellar or garage, you can begin to directly plant onions.
Onions grow in the basement the same way as in the greenhouse. Onion planting technology for forcing onto a pen it is no different. Just as it is no different technology for its collection.
The economic side of the business of forcing green onions is also quite extensive. In short, we can only say that if you make at least minimal effort, you will not be left at a loss.