We're starting the planting season... in rows!

These members of the Allium genus require a long growing season to reach full maturity. Also, we must sow them 8 to 12 weeks before the planned date for their transplant to the garden. 

The basics of sowingonion and his close relatives

• As with all seedlings, moisten first the potting soil before placing seeds in it.
  
• Add some biochar, mycorrhizae (if your potting soil does not already contain it) and others Amendments, your choice, likesoil activator, Mineral mix, granular algae or worm manure.
  • Prepare your soil at least a day before seedlings to give the biochar time to stabilize in the mixture.
    
• Fill out your pots or trays with the prepared potting soil up to 1 cm from the edge, pressing lightly.

• Add the onion and leek seeds on the surface potting soil, taking care not to compact them too much.
  
• Ideally, we count 2 to 4 seeds per cell or 2,5 cm2, but never more than 10, if you are severely short of space and looking to maximize it.
  
• Sprinkle a layer of compost 8 to 10 mm on the seeds, then water delicately.
  • Germination is faster and more efficient at a temperature between 21 and 27°C; if you have a heating mat, put it to use!

• When the seeds have germinated, remove the heat mat and place your seedlings under lighting lamps for plants.
  
• Water delicately, if necessary, either when the surface soil is dry to the touch.
  
• As the young plants grow, raise the lamps so as to leave 2,5 to 7,5 cm between the lamp and the top of the shoots.
  • If your grow lights give off too much heat, leave 15 to 18 cm between the lamp and the top of the shoots.
    
• When the young shoots have reached 12,5 cm in height, shorten them by 5 cm using scissors to stimulate them to grow stronger and denser.
  • Recover the tips to add to your soups, salads and sandwiches!

• At this point, the outside temperature has warmed up and you can begin to gradually accustom your young shoots to the wind and sun.
  • First, take them out during the day only and place them in the morning sunor a shelter from the wind.
    
• La transplant to the garden takes place around May 15 in zones 5 and 6 and a week later in zones 3 and 4. In the case of an early spring, the transplant can be brought forward by a week.
  
• When transplanting to the garden, plant the cells in a staggered pattern without dividing the plants. The recommended planting depth is 1,5 cm and the distance between plants is 10 cm.
  • By planting onions in bunches, you save space !
    
• From the shallot stage, harvest young onions in each bunch throughout the summer to allow only one to mature.