Summer residents, who love to experiment on their beds, have already paid attention to the Chinese method of planting onions. This idea came to Russia recently, but it has already been appreciated by domestic gardeners. After all, the method not only allows you to get an incredibly large head, but also facilitates further planting care.

Chinese way

The Chinese have not invented anything new. Their method is based on the well-known system - ridge cultivation. Only in Russia, using this technology, they plant mainly potatoes, sometimes root crops and tomatoes. And the Asians began to plant sevok. True, the bulbs are large, but flattened in shape (this does not in any way affect the taste of the product).

Method advantages

  • the onions exposed to the sun grow faster, so the turnip turns out to be larger than the usual sizes, which significantly increases the yield;
  • due to the elevation of the soil, the friability remains for a long time, contributing to the better development of the roots of the turnip;
  • even on depleted soils, the Chinese version gives 25% higher fertility than with other methods; in fertile areas, this figure increases to 40%;
  • in the growing onion, the top is open to the sun, and ultraviolet light helps to raise immunity against fungal diseases;
  • ridges prevent the leaching of useful microelements from the soil, which saves on fertilizers;

Ridge growing

  • with this method of cultivation, the risk of damage from an onion fly is reduced; the elevation of the fruits makes them inaccessible to the nematode and bear;
  • you can plant onions in the ridges earlier than usual, since the soil in this case warms up faster;
  • it is easier to water and loosen the soil, weeding is reduced, practically, to zero.

Those gardeners who have already tried Chinese onion planting on their plantation are unlikely to return to the traditional method, having appreciated all the advantages of the bulk option.

Ridge planting technology

The comb technique is not a Chinese invention (but it was the Asians who applied it under the bow). Previously, in Russian villages, in this way, fields were planted for tubers after plowing the land. City summer residents took up the shovel - it is not so difficult to process small areas with a spade.

Since the method of growing vegetables on the ridge is a lightweight version of agricultural technology, they began to actively return to it. After all, this method, indeed, gives larger fruits than on flat beds.

Large fruits

Before forming the ridge, it is necessary to prepare the site; it is better to do this work in the fall. To begin with, they get rid of weeds by walking around the site with a cultivator. You can treat the weed with chemicals like "Hurricane", and then dig up the earth (on a large area - plowing with a walk-behind tractor).

When digging, fertilizers are applied taking into account the crop that will be grown. In this variant, the onion plantation is prepared. Therefore, apply (per 1 sq. M.) 5 kg of rotted manure, 2 tbsp. chalk or dolomite flour, 1 tbsp. superphosphate, 1 tsp. nitrophosphate.

When spring comes, and the soil warms up enough, they begin to form beds, taking as a basis the step-by-step algorithm described below:

  • the site is thoroughly loosened (harrowed);
  • the earth is leveled with a rake;
  • outline the number of rows (you can use a twine marker), based on the size of the beds;
  • form embankments, raking the topsoil from both sides to the center of the marked rows.

The higher the ridges, the better the vegetables will be. For onions, the best option for elevation is 15-20 cm.The distance between the ridges must be maintained about 30 cm.

For the convenience of caring for the beds, it is better to form them in 3 mounds, especially if a joint planting is planned, where the carrots will occupy the central ridge, and the seedlings will settle on the extreme ones. True, some gardeners do it differently: onions are planted at the top of each ridge, and root seeds are sown at the base.

Root vegetable seeds

When the ridges are ready, shallow holes are made in them (under the size of the set) or a neat groove along the entire length. Usually the sowing depth is kept within 3 cm.

Since it is planned to get a larger head than in standard cultivation, the distance between the sets is left a little more - at least 12 cm. Before planting, it is recommended to make a "perinka" of wood ash under the bulbs (for fertilization and protection from insects). Planting material is also prepared, which is pre-sorted.

Sevka preparation

First you need to think about choosing a variety. Since the onion is planned to be grown for long-term storage, they take an exceptionally sharp variety of Liliaceae. To get a large head, you only need to plant single-nested varieties. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to "Buran", "Voronezh", "Golden Semko", "Rostov onion", "Yukont", etc.

Important! Having taken out a planting beam from a winter storage (or purchased on the market), they first carefully examine it, rejecting damaged, rotten, soft and dry ones. You need to pay attention to the bottom and top. If they are weak, or there are signs of fungus, this onion should not be grown.

Those that are suitable for planting are divided into fractions - they have different dates for planting:

  • seedlings, with a diameter of 10-15 mm, are sent to the ridge in early or mid-April (depending on the weather);
  • onions of 15-20 mm should be planted in the first half of May.

Turnip is not grown from larger heads - these sets are used for forcing greens and sent to the garden by the end of May. But it is better not to plant the smallest fraction in the spring, but leave it for planting before winter.

Additional Information. The Chinese do everything according to Feng Shui, therefore they are guided in agricultural technology by the Lunar calendar. It is also worthwhile for domestic gardeners to pay attention to the influence of the night luminary on the formation of the crop, choosing the most favorable days for planting onions in the ridges.

Do not forget about the link to the peculiarities of the regional climate. Suitable soil temperature for planting is 5 degrees Celsius.

2 weeks before disembarkation, boxes with onions are placed near heating devices (radiators, stoves) in order to warm them well. This will protect against rotting and shooting.

Onion boxes

Before planting the onion in Chinese, excess scales are removed from the turnips and the dry ends are cut off. But this must be done carefully so as not to damage the neck, otherwise the seed will not be suitable for growing.

To stimulate the root system to grow rapidly, the onions are poured with 40-degree water a day before planting. If you add a little more slurry to the liquid, then the seedlings will germinate earlier.

The prepared bulbs are taken out to the beds and begin to be distributed over the holes. It is impossible to completely fill up the heads - they only slightly crush them with earth. The seal will prevent oxygen from reaching the set.

Growing rules

Caring for onions on the ridges is not much different from the standards, but much easier. As soon as the planting of the sevka on the hills is over, the garden is watered. Subsequent irrigation is carried out as needed, without waterlogging.

With the Chinese method of growing onions, fertilization is carried out three times, at certain points of the growing season.

Fertilizing culture

PeriodNutrition
Second decade of May10% infusion of mullein with the addition of 5 tsp for each bucket of solution. urea
Mid juneDissolve in a bucket of water 15 g of urea and phosphorus fertilizer, plus 40 g of potassium
During the formation of headsFor 10 liters of water, 15 g of potash and 25 g of phosphorus fertilizer are needed

Top dressing is applied exclusively at the root, trying not to get on the feather. The nutrient solution bucket is evenly distributed over 4 square meters. m.

Ridge beds usually do not need weeding. But if weeds have hatched somewhere, they should be removed immediately so that the grass does not draw on moisture and nutrition.

Important! In June, it will be necessary to carefully scrape off the top layer of soil from the bulbs into the grooves of the rows, opening the fruits "on the shoulders". The sun will dry the bulbs and they will not get sick.

As the heads grow, the rest of the earth from the ridge will crumble by itself. At the time of harvest, the mounds are almost equal to the soil level.

Pest and disease control

Despite the fact that Chinese technology does not allow the onion fly to harm plantings, preventive measures will not hurt. For this purpose, frequent loosening of the soil is undertaken.

The Chinese method of growing onions does not give the fly the opportunity to lay eggs on the set, since it is still in the ground at this point. When the onion sprouts, when it comes out, the larvae are thrown down together with a clod of earth, and the onion pest dies.

Pests

It is necessary to protect the culture from the development of diseases. When the feathers reach a height of 15 cm, the onion is sprayed with an aqueous solution, which contains (per 1 bucket): 7 g of copper sulfate and 20 ml of liquid soap. Half a liter of this composition is enough for 1 sq. m.

Tips and tricks for gardeners

Knowing how the Chinese plant onions, which at the same time get an amazing harvest, summer residents will definitely want to try the technique on their site. You should not hope that the method will save you from the hassle of gardening. All the same, you should adhere to the rules of agricultural technology, so as not to regret the effort spent later.

Some recommendations:

  • ridges are best formed on flat areas or on hills warmed by the sun, but lowlands do not fit - then the onion develops in the shade, and there is water in the aisles;
  • the key to future success is the preliminary preparation of the site, carried out in the fall; the "fluffier" the soil, the more actively the onion grows;
  • thorough processing of the site before digging with "Medvetoks", "Zemlyan", "Mukhoed" will save you from fighting the onion fly in the future;
  • cultivation of onions in Chinese cannot be carried out in areas where this crop or garlic has already been planted; this increases the likelihood of illness;
  • the most suitable crop precursors are tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins and cabbage; after them, the soil structure is looser;

    Tomatoes

  • if you cannot adhere to the rules of crop rotation, then before planting (after soaking) it is recommended to disinfect the seedlings by immersing them in hydrogen peroxide (ammonia) for 20 minutes or in a potassium permanganate solution (not strong) for half an hour;
  • forming ridges on wide beds, it is recommended to make some aisles wider, paving its way for moving along the embankments; in this case, it is more convenient to care;
  • it is important to monitor the moisture content of the soil, not allowing it to dry out; but you should not be zealous with watering - an excess of water provokes fungal diseases;
  • if the season is rainy, the beds are watered only 2 times; in dry summers, irrigation is increased to 3-4 calls;
  • to facilitate watering and metering the water supply, it is recommended to equip the drip irrigation system by laying hoses (or pipes) with holes between the ridges;
  • it is better not to exceed the recommended dosages of fertilizers, otherwise the bulb will begin to forcing the feather, and it will remain small;
  • a month before harvesting onions, watering and feeding stop completely.

Do not tighten with the removal of the heads from the garden. If they sit out, additional germination will begin, and the crop will become unsuitable for winter storage.

Ripe onions are easily pulled out of the ground by their feathers. If by the time of harvesting the heads are not fully ripe, do not leave them in the garden. In this case, the roots are trimmed at a depth of 8 cm with a shovel, and the bulb is removed.

It is advisable to dry the harvested crop in the sun in the beds. But if the weather is rainy, then it is better to transfer the bulbs under a canopy. After 4 days, they are brought into a ventilated room for final drying.

Important! Before storing the heads, the roots are cut off at the bottom and braided into braids for hanging. If the onions are kept in nets, then dry feathers are also cut off, leaving a neck 4 cm long.

It is important not only to grow an excellent harvest of onions - you also need to be able to preserve it until spring in order to provide the family with useful vitamins in winter. Excess crops (which will be mandatory with this method) can be put into implementation to replenish your budget.