Onions, a staple in many kitchens, can be grown more effectively using the Chinese method of hill planting. This technique, often referred to as the “lazy” method, is popular for its simplicity and the superior quality of the onions it produces. Here are detailed instructions for implementing this method in your garden.
1. Understand the ridge planting method:
The Basics : In this method, onions are sown not in flat, level soil, but in mounds or ridges created with a hoe. These ridges are separated by shallow ditches.
Advantages :
- Faster weight gain with fruits.
- Increased sunlight and light exposure.
- Improved plant immunity and resistance to diseases and pests.
- Easier maintenance: Weeding and loosening the soil is easier.
- Protection against onion flies, especially during the pests’ breeding season.
2. Preparation and planting:
- Timing : Start sowing in spring when the soil warms up to +5 to +10 °C, usually at the end of April.
- Soil Preparation : Prepare the soil by incorporating organic matter 6–8 inches deep and maintaining a well-drained soil environment with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Add fertilizers such as superphosphate, dolomite flour, or nitroammophoska.
- Selecting and preparing bulbs : Choose bulbs with a diameter of approximately 15 mm. Warm them up 14 days before planting, ensuring the temperature does not exceed 40°C.
- Ridge formation : Form ridges 15 cm high at a distance of 30 cm from each other.
- Planting procedure : Plant the seedlings 3 cm deep and cover them with soil, ensuring it remains loose. Water immediately after planting.
3. Care and maintenance:
- Watering : Maintain consistent soil moisture and water about 1 inch per week. Adjust watering according to soil conditions and weather.
- Fertilization : Fertilize three times during the growing season. Apply a urea solution in mid-May, potash fertilizer in June, and water the beds with diluted superphosphate during the head formation period.
- Weeding and loosening : Weed and loosen the soil around the ridges regularly.
4. Harvest:
- Harvest time : Stop watering about a month before harvest, usually in late summer or early September.
- Harvesting : Bend the tips of the bulbs when 1/4 of the leaves have yellowed. After a few days, pull the bulbs out and let them dry in the garden, covered with leaves, for up to a week. Then, place them in a warm, dry place with good air circulation for 2-3 weeks to cure.
5. Additional tips:
- Spacing : Space bulbs 2 to 4 inches apart, with at least 18 inches between rows. Spacing may vary slightly depending on the onion variety.
- Planting depth : Plant the sets or transplants so that the tips are slightly above the soil.
- Pest control : Cover the bulbs with floating row covers or use diatomaceous earth to control onion root maggots.
The Chinese method of planting onions on hills is a proven technique that ensures larger, healthier onions with better storage capacity. This method requires minimal effort and offers a great way to maximize your onion yield and enjoy the fruits of your labor year-round.
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