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Vegetable Gardening

Started too early...?

11 years ago

First timer, here! One of my gardening books said that I could start my onions as early as 15 weeks before the last frost date. I started mine 14 weeks before (which was last week) and now I'm super worried that this is too early. I'm planning on doing raised beds. Will these be too mature for hardening off/transplanting when the time comes?

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Comments (8)

stuffradio
11 years ago
Don't think it's too early. Next Friday I'm supposed to be able to start my Sweet Onions also. Haven't done that yet though.
eircsmith
11 years ago
Thank for threads "delonwheels". Yes it's too early but don't think it. Yes you can plan to raised your bed.

This post was edited by eircsmith on Tue, Jan 22, 13 at 1:19
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That fabric will only gain about 2 or 3 degrees protection. All you can do is the best you can do in a bad situation. I can't think of something that will really help you, short of a greenhouse. If they freeze, they will have to come back from dormant eyes, which means they will be smaller than before. With no light, they aren't going to do well either. With 3 months of growing in the dark, I'm not sure what you're going have. You could very well end up with the same situation as letting them freeze. They won't stop growing, I don't think. If you don't have access to a greenhouse, I believe I would let them freeze. That way, maybe they will have more stored energy left for the spring. If you let them continue to grow, they will use up a lot/most of their stored energy. Maybe someone else has a better idea. bk
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Hello, I'm in the same zone as you, and I typically start mine in November/December. Since it's only one more month, I'd recommend trimming the foilage back so that they can be kept under the lights. I've kept mine in much smaller pots with 5-15 seedlings in a pot, and have waited to plant in the fall before. (Mind you, I lost a few from doing that before) If you would rather them be outside, I'd recommend covering them at night with a frost blanket. For the first week, you might just want to take them out in the morning (when it is warm) to someplace shady and in at night to harden them off.
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planatus
11 years ago
I don't think it's too early for onions. I try to get all of my big bulb onions and shallots started before the end of January. I often then direct-sow bunching onions and cippolinis in March.

My onion seedlings looked like yours until last night, when I gave them their first haircut, back to 3 inches. Keeping them trimmed to 3-4 inches and positioning them so they are almost touching the light will help them push out new leaves. I set up an onion day care center out on the deck, basically a low cold frame, so I can move the seedlings outdoors on sunny days in late Feb and March. March 15 in my tomato/pepper start date, so I need to get the onions hardened off enough to stay outside in a cold frame 24/7 by then, having only so many grow lights.

Onion seedlings just grow slowly until they get real sun and spring warmth. Good luck!
sunnibel7 Md 7
11 years ago
Could someone explain the reasoning behind the "haircut" for onions? I've never done it and they push out new leaves regardless. I generally start mine right around now and transplant at the same time I put out peas and potatoes and such. Anyway, it seems like onions can be pretty large and still be transplanted, judging by the size of the sweet onion transplants I buy. Cheers!
ltilton
11 years ago
They look fine. You'll be wanting to plant them out in 6 weeks or so, and they should be just right.
mandolls
11 years ago
I just started mine yesterday which is probably to early for my zone, but plan on putting them out under a low hoop cover in April. I have just been itching to get some things started so that I feel like spring is on the way. We had a "high" today of -2F
jonfrum
11 years ago
Onions can be transplanted at scallion size, so I wouldn't worry about planting them a couple of weeks early.
planatus
11 years ago
If I don't keep them trimmed the little darlings fall over, and once they do that they don't grow as well as their upright neighbors. I gradually raise my trimming height as the onion seedlings grow.

Here is a link that might be useful: cool old film on onion germination

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