I'm starting to plan my fall garden and really want to try growing onions from seed this time, as I had some trouble with sets earlier. I live in Texas, specifically in zone 7B, and I'm curious if anyone has successfully direct sown onion seeds in the fall for a harvest by late spring or early summer. Should I take the plunge and try directly sowing in October, or would it be wiser to start them indoors and transplant them later, like in January? I need to figure this out soon because I'd like to use the bed for something else if direct sowing isn't a good idea.
2 Answers
Just a heads up, if you direct sow your onions too late and then get a freeze, they might bolt unexpectedly. The timing is really key with these guys, so keep that in mind.
From my experience up north, we can't plant onions in the fall and expect them to bulb in the same year. They usually bulb with increasing daylight rather than diminishing light. However, they can definitely grow through winter and bulb in spring. Make sure to check the onion variety you choose, and it might be helpful to look at the Texas extension information for your area. Also, consider growing leeks as an alternative; they're great for fall planting!