Planting Dates for Spring
| Crop | Based on Frost Dates Based on Moon Dates | |
|---|---|---|
| Start Seeds Indoors | Start Seeds Outdoors | |
| Onions | N/A | Apr 10-May 1 Apr 10-18 |
| Oregano | Feb 26-Mar 27 Feb 26-Mar 7, Mar 21-27 | N/A |
| Parsley | N/A | Apr 10-24 Apr 19-24 |
When can you plant onion bulbs in Nova Scotia?
It is almost the end of January after all! February or March is the best time to start onions from seed. I like to start mine by mid-February if at all possible.
What can I plant now in Nova Scotia?
Always start with cool-season crops that can handle some frost. One can never be 100% certain that the winter frost has finished for the season – especially in Nova Scotia! Leafy greens, peas, carrots, and onions would all be examples of crops to start in early spring.
How do you grow onions in Nova Scotia?
For optimal results, the yellow cooking onion should be grown on sand or sandy loam soil that is well drained and contains a high amount of organic matter. Coarse and heavy soils should be avoided. Generally, most onion crops will mature in 75-120 days. Onions from seed do not usually mature until mid September.
What is the best month to plant onions?
spring
In spring, plant onion sets outdoors as soon as the ground can be worked, usually in late March or April, when temperatures are no longer likely to dip below 28°F (-2°C). In spring, start onion seeds indoors about 6 weeks before transplanting to the ground (once the soil is at least 50°F).
What happens if you plant onions too early?
Timing is important, because you don’t want it to complete its life cycle now. The same goes for onions. Planted too early, they’ll make too much growth and go to seed in the spring rather than forming nice big bulbs.
Can I plant onion sets in March?
Sets are readily available in early spring and late summer in garden centres and from online suppliers. They are usually planted in spring, from mid-March to mid-April. Some cultivars are suitable for planting in October to mid March – these are less sensitive to cold, which would otherwise cause bolting.
What zone is Nova Scotia?
All of Nova Scotia (including Cape Breton) and PEI are hardiness zones 5 and 6, with a small pocket of zone 7 on the very southern tip, by Yarmouth. The higher the zone, the more plants can survive the winter here.
When can potatoes be planted in Nova Scotia?
Planting Dates for Spring
| Crop | Based on Frost Dates Based on Moon Dates | |
|---|---|---|
| Start Seeds Indoors | Start Seeds Outdoors | |
| Potatoes | N/A | May 1-22 May 6-18 |
| Pumpkins | Apr 17-May 1 Apr 19-May 1 | N/A |
| Radishes | N/A | Mar 13-Apr 3 Mar 13-20 |
What vegetables grow best in Nova Scotia?
Hardy vegetables include kohlrabi, onions, lettuce, peas, radish, spinach and turnips. Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower, though hardy, are better started in a cold frame (or purchased as transplants from the farmers market). Semi-hardy vegetables (6 – 10C) are not frost tolerant.
Should you soak onions before planting?
You can plant onion sets without soaking them, but soaked onions will sprout more quickly. You can also soak onion seed before planting to encourage germination. Soaking the sets in compost tea will give them added nutrition and protection from disease.
How long do you soak onions before planting?
They can be soaked for as little as 15 minutes or as long as several hours. You can use plain water, compost tea, or Superthrive as you prefer. Drain and pat dry just before planting to make handling easier.
Should I cover onions from frost?
Onions can withstand light to heavy frosts and moderate freezes, but hard freezes can result in onion damage. Covering the plants with a protective covering or tarp will greatly reduce freeze damage, especially if temperatures are dropping below 20˚F.
Can I plant onions in January?
Sow onion seed indoors as early as January, so they are large enough to plant out in spring. Sow seed in a pot or tray of moist seed compost, about 1cm apart. When the seedlings are a few inches tall, prick them out and transplant into fresh, peat-free multi-purpose compost.
Can I plant onions right now?
You can plant onions almost any time of year (especially if growing for green onions), but your timing will impact the size of onions you harvest and when they are harvested. Onions will get the signal to form bulbs when the day length in your area is getting the correct number of daylight hours for the variety.
What is the secret to growing onions?
It may be necessary to water once or twice a week depending on the weather. Stop watering once the tops begin to yellow and fall over to encourage the bulbs to finish maturing and to avoid rot issues. Onions tend to grow very well in rich, organic soils with a pH at 6.5-6.8.
Can you cut an onion in half and plant it?
Onions are one of the easiest vegetables to regrow from scraps. Just cut off the root end of your onion, leaving a 1’2 inch of onion on the roots. Place it in a sunny location in your garden and cover the top with soil. Make sure to keep the soil moist by watering when needed.
How deep do I plant onions?
Sets are dormant bulbs that can be planted directly into the ground. Onion sets should be planted 1 to 2 inches deep and 2 to 3 inches apart. Then, once the plants begin to grow, thin them to 3 to 4 inches apart.
Does onion like full sun?
Onions are one of the most popular vegetables in the home garden. They can be grown for green onions and dry bulbs. Onions are easy to grow. They perform best in well-drained, slightly acidic, fertile soils in full sun.
Can I plant onion sets in February?
Onion sets are best planted during February to early April when the ground is frost free, workable and not too wet. Don’t worry about frost after planting (not a problem). Plant the sets 6” apart in rows 12” across or if space is limited you can grow onion sets in a block or square, but give them 8” apart each way.
What happens if you plant onions in the spring?
Planting onion sets in the spring is a great way to both enjoy an earlier harvest, and bigger onions from your garden. Onions can be planted with bulbs (sets), transplants, or by seed. Although seed is the least expensive way to plant, spring seeds take a long time to germinate and grow.