Written by Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Embarking on a successful onion farming venture in Kenya requires meticulous soil preparation. This guide, in collaboration with Onion Doctor, is your key to achieving the perfect soil conditions for robust onion crops. Explore the nuances of soil types, when to prepare your soil, and expert-recommended techniques for optimal onion farming success. Timing is Everything: When to Prepare Your Soil for Onions Strategic planning for optimal results: Soil preparation isn’t bound by specific seasons; it can be undertaken when the ground is workable. This guide emphasizes that onions can be planted even in cooler temperatures. The key is to ensure your soil is in prime condition before planting, offering flexibility for farmers to plan their onion cultivation throughout the year. Soil Types Know your soil! All regions of the country are different, even from township to township. Onions grows best in a loamy, crumbly soil. Clay and silt soils are made of very small particles. They feel slick and sticky when wet. Clay and silt hold moisture well, but resist water infiltration, especially when they are dry. Often, puddles form on clay or silt soils and they easily become compacted. Loam is a mix of sand, silt or clay, and organic matter. Loam soils are loose and look dark and rich. When squeezed in your fist, moist loam will form a ball, which crumbles when poked with a finger. Loam soils normally absorb water and store moisture well. Loam soils can be sandy or clay-based, and will vary accordingly in moisture absorption and retention. Sandy soils contain large particles that are visible to the unaided eye, and are usually light in color. Sand feels coarse when wet or dry, and will not form a ball when squeezed in your fist. Sandy soils stay loose and allow moisture to penetrate easily, but do not retain it for long-term use. If your soil is so poor that it’s beyond amending, you can always create a raised bed. It can be any shape you like as long as it’s large enough to contain the number of onion sets you want to plant. The bed should be at least 6 inches deep. You can even plant onions in a container (use at least a 1-gallon size or larger) and locate the pot where it will receive sun exposure 6-8 hours each day. Container-growing is better suited to growing scallions (very young onions, also called green onions or spring onions) vs. full-sized bulbs. How To Prepare Your Soil Roots grow faster when they have ample room, and a larger root system means bigger onions! After you have amended the soil pH and/or any nutrient/mineral deficiencies (if needed), prepare the area in which you want to grow your onions. They will grow best in raised beds or raised rows at least 4? high and 20? wide. If you need to improve the soil in your planting bed, mix composted cow manure, garden compost or peat moss (up to 1/3 concentration) into the soil. Make sure the peat moss you get is either baled sphagnum or granular peat. You can also add our Coco-Fiber Potting Medium or 2 or more inches of organic material and evenly work it into your soil. Organic materials bind sandy soil particles so they retain moisture and nutrients better. They also break apart clay and silt particles, so that water can infiltrate and roots can spread. Your lawn can also provide you with ideal organic materials such as grass clippings (not treated with herbicides) and shredded leaves. Not only will the grass and leaves break down to provide soil nutrients, but they will help loosen the soil as well. You can gather these in the fall with spring planting in mind. Common soil amendments: Compost Sand Composted manure Lime Peat moss (either baled sphagnum or granular peat) Onion Doctor supports small holder farmers across Africa with quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Onion seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack, Farm management, E-extension and on-farm training for farmers to optimize on yields and get maximum profits.
Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Embark on a journey to enhance your onion farming in Kenya with Onion Doctor, your trusted partner in agricultural success. In this guide, we focus on the critical aspects of seedbed preparation, seeding rates, and proper planting techniques. Learn valuable insights that will empower you to achieve maximum yields and profits in your onion cultivation venture. Seedbed Preparation Onion seeds need firm, finely textured soil in the seed bed for good germination and stand establishment. Onions grow best in a soil with good organic matter and a pH between 6.0 and 7.8. Seed-bed preparation begins Onions will take between 45 and 60 days in the seedbed. During this time, they need close monitoring and regular watering or rainfall. Plant your seeds when the rains are expected and store some water just in case the rains fail or delay. the best time to sow seeds in the seedbed in Kenya is in August so that you will transplant them in October to coincide with the short rains. Locate your nursery in an area close to water, with good soil conditions, and not previously planted with crops like garlic, onions, tomatoes, etc. Start preparing your seedbed (tilling) a month before sowing to expose the pests hiding in the soil to the sun. Ensure your nursery has a fine tilth and that it is level. Beds should be one-metre wide and five to 10 metres long (you can make this longer if you wish). Depending on soil type and moisture conditions in your area, your nursery bed can be raised (two to four inches high), sunken, or flat. Raised beds are most common as they reduce the risk of over moistening the beds. Seeding Rates and Spacing Fields should be seeded from early March through mid-April when onion beds are dry enough to avoid compaction or germination problems during planting. Seedlings are transplanted when they reach pencil thickness which is about 6-8 weeks after sowing. The seedlings are planted in 2.5 – 3 cm deep trenches at a spacing of 30cm between rows by 8cm-10 cm between plants. A path of 45 cm should be placed after every 3 rows for easy field operations. For quality seedlings and a guidebook on how to prep and space your field , we the Onion Doctor are a call away. Planting Onions: The ideal temperatures onions need to grow are between 13 – 35 degrees centigrade. This means that onions can grow in most parts of Kenya. However, to maximize production in areas such as Ukambani and some parts in the Coastal area, one needs to invest in a greenhouse and drip irrigation. Use a bed width of 26 to 44 inches (from center to center) with 2-4 seed rows per bed. Uniform seed placement and in-row plant spacing has a major influence on bulb size and is critical to a good stand establishment. Seeds should be planted 0.5 to 1 inch deep. Avoid wide spacings which promote large bulbs with thick necks. Generally, an in-row spacing of 3 to 4 inches ensures both high total yield and a higher percentage of onions . Many types of planters are used to seed onions and all must be carefully set to maintain proper seeding depth and rate. Onion Doctor supports small holder farmers across Africa with quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Onion seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack, Farm management, E-extension and on-farm training for farmers to optimize on yields and get maximum profits.
Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Explore the art of onion seed propagation with Onion Doctor, your reliable partner in maximizing yields for onion farming in Kenya. This comprehensive guide covers the essential steps in seedbed preparation, manure application, and meticulous management practices, ensuring a successful onion cultivation venture. Onion seed propagation is a process of planting onion seeds in your nursery and later transplanting them to the land. In a bid to acquire the best results, sow the onion seed in the nursery under a mulch cover. Mulch cover allows natural fertilization. Preparation Prepare raised beds in the nursery, the beds should be one metre wide. Raised seedbeds should help to reduce the possibility of the seeds being washed away by rain. “The seed bed’s width should be one metre and the length should be as long as you wish,. For good germination and stand establishment, the seedbed soil should be finely textured. “Let the soil be very fine. Pour your seed along the line, not very deep, but an inch deep. Manure Well decomposed compost and additional rock phosphate should be added in the soil. “Onion being a bulb crop, it does not require a lot of manure. If you put a lot of manure that is not well composed, it will rot. Management The first 10 days upon sowing are very critical. A farmer should work tooth and nail to ensure that the seedbed is irrigated thoroughly. You can irrigate using a sprinkler, a hosepipe or Drip. The best time to irrigate is in the morning and not during the heat of the day. This is to avoid water loss through evaporation caused by the heat of the sun. Amount of water required per day is about five to seven litres. Mulch cover can be removed after the seedlings started sprouting. Transplanting Wait until the seedlings are at the height of 15 centimeters and when the base is thick as a pencil. Seed burying should not be done more than one inch under the soil. Avoid putting the soil back around the seedling to create space for the emerging bulb. Watering should be observed as sweeter onions result from more water. When the weather is dry, increase the level of watering. Onion Doctor supports small holder farmers across Africa with quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Onion seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack, Farm management, E-extension and on-farm training for farmers to optimize on yields and get maximum profits.
Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Unlock the secrets to successful onion cultivation in Kenya with this comprehensive guide, crafted for both beginners and seasoned farmers. Partnering with Onion Doctor, we delve into the nuances of soil preparation, sowing techniques, and expert tips to ensure a bountiful onion harvest. Let’s cultivate excellence in onion farming together. Site Preparation If adding manure or composted organic matter then add a few weeks before sowing / planting out. You can tread the soil gently to firm it up a bit prior to sowing. Sowing Onion Seed & Planting Sets Onions can be planted from seed or from sets . Sets are more expensive but they tend to be more reliable in their results and also require less work – no thinning and reduced onion fly risk. If sowing from seed then sow in drills about 2cm deep with about 1 inch between seeds. If sowing in rows then space the rows about 30cm apart. The soil should be moist before sowing so check the soil the day before sowing and water if the soil is dry. Again space rows about 30cm apart. Sow sets around 10cm apart as they shouldn’t require any thinning. Dig a small hole for each set and place the set in neck upwards. When covered back up with soil the tip of the neck should just show through the soil surface. Spring onions (scallion) can be sown from April and planting should be staggered every few weeks to ensure a continuous crop throughout the growing season. Soil type Onions will grow in almost any soil from sandy loams to heavy clay. The soil should be firm. If your soil is heavy then you can introduce some organic compost or manure into the soil to help its moisture retaining properties. Onions prefer a slightly acidic soil – PH 5.5-6.5 is a good PH for growing onions. Planting Onion Sets Onions will need a realtively fertile soil with a good tilth and good dranage. If you have a heavy wet soil we recommend using riased beds to avoid potential disease caused by damp conditions. Avoid using fresh manure. Onions will enjoy a warm, sunny site. Growing onions from sets is much easier than growing from seed and perfect for the beginner. Onion sets are just small, immature onions from the previous year. Plant the onions from early March till the end of April. Red onions are more likely to bolt and a later April planting can reduce the chance of this happening. Here are some tips to help you pick the best: You don’t want any shoots, you might think you’re getting a head start but you’ll just get a very poor quality bulb. Avoid any skinny looking ones. Discard anything with mould or brown patches on the skin. Any very big sets are more likely to run to seed. Nice, tidy and round and oval bulbs will produce an excellent onion. Planting Push the sets about 1 cm into loose soil approx 10cm apart with 25cm between rows, leave about half of the onion showing above the soil. Birds seem to love pulling them out of the ground and scattering them round the garden. You can solve this by placing enviromesh or cloches over them for the first month which I strongly recommend. Firm the bed before planting either by standing on a timber plank of leaving the soil to settle a couple of weeks before planting. If the soil is very loose the roots don’t get a firm hold, the plant thinks it’s starving and can run to seed . If you want to be clever and save weeding later on you can plant through a sheet of black plastic. Spread the plastic over your prepared bed, make a hole just large enough for each set and just pop them in. Onion Crop Care Your onions should be well rooted now so it will be safe to remove the cloche. It is important to hoe regularly around the plants as onions don’t have foliage to suppress weeds. Take care when hoeing as onions have very shallow root systems and you may damage them with deep, vigorous strokes. Hoe regularily to control weeds and to stimulate the growth of the plant. One of the best gardening tools you’ll ever buy is the oscillating stirrup hoe. It’s a very effective old fashioned tool that really works properly. Hoeing not only removes the weeds but it also breaks up the surface of the soil and creates a fine texture or ’tilth’. A good tilth lets air and moisture in to the roots of your plants thus increasing their vigour. Watering and Mulching Onions If the sun is proving hot and dry keep your onions watered. Onions have a very shallow root system and so will dry out a lot quicker than other plants. This can cause the onions to mature early leaving you with small bulbs. When watering you are better to give the area a thorough soaking to a depth of 6 inches rather than watering all the time. Also it’s better to water early in the morning as midday irrigation can evaporate quickly. Evening watering will leave the plants cold and damp over night like going to bed in wet pyjamas! Mulching onions when the tops are 10 – 12 inches tall can also help as the mulch will retain moisture. Onion Flower Stems Break off any flower stems which may appear, this is the onion trying to bolt. A hard stem will be produced inside the onion making it unsuitable for storing. Breaking the stem off will not prevent this from happening
Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Embark on a successful journey of onion farming in Kenya with the expert guidance of Onion Doctor. Learn the essential steps, from seedbed preparation to transplanting, and discover the key practices that lead to maximum yields. This comprehensive guide is your gateway to successful onion cultivation. Onion seeds are first grown on a raised seedbed for germination and then transplanted to the main field for harvest. It is encouraged to prepare a seedbed two to three weeks before sowing seeds near the planting site to make it easier during transplanting. Making Seedbed For Onion Farming The following guidelines are on how to make a seedbed for onion farming: 1. Prepare a raised seedbed of 12 cm wide with your chosen length. It should be in the shade to protect the seedlings from direct sunlight. 2. Add organic fertilizer and mix the soil. 3. Irrigate the raised seedbed one day before sowing the seeds. 4. On the seedbed, make rows of 15 cm apart and drill seed thinly to a depth of 1 cm. 5. Cover seeds using soil and mulch for 7 to 10 days to germinate. 6. Water the seedbed daily in the morning and evening. After the germination, remove the mulch to allow the seedlings to grow upright and strong. How to Grow Onions in Kenya Drain the Seedbed if There Are Excess Water When the farmer approaches the day of transplanting seedlings, it is advisable to reduce the watering of the seedbed to make the structure of the seedlings strong. Also, remove the shade that is covered in the seedbed to get the seedlings more used to stronger sunshine. Irrigate the Seedbed Before transplanting, the seedbed is irrigated to avoid damage to seedlings when pulling them from the seedbed. The field is watered on the day you intend to transplant the seedlings. In Kenya, onions grow well in well-drained soil, fertile sandy loam soil, and non-compacted soils with a PH of 6.0 to 7.0. Onion farming requires an ideal temperature of 13 to 24 degrees, especially during germination, which is helpful to the onion seeds. Prepare and Plough the Land The land is prepared and ploughed one month before transplanting onion seedlings. The soil should be reduced to fine particles for two weeks before transplanting to make planting easier. Put the ripe animal manure in the field. This will make the soil rigid and increase moisture retention for an extended period. Thereafter, mix the organic fertilizer well with the soil and make furrows for planting onions. Transplanting Transplanting of onion seedlings is done six to eight weeks after sowing seeds. Similarly, you can transplant onions when they have produced three to five well-formed leaves. It is done early in the morning or late in the evening when the sun is not burning hot. Using a shovel, uproot seedlings from the seedbed and plant them in the already prepared land for onions. The seedlings are planted in 2.5 to 3 cm deep trenches at a space of 30 cm between rows and 8 to 12 cm from one seedling to another. Organic manure is added to the holes when seedlings are planted. Select healthy seedlings and free from pests from seedbed to plant and then firm up the seedlings with the surrounding soil. After you are done with transplanting, water the seedlings and continue watering in the morning and evening until the seedlings hold well in the soil. Onion Doctor supports small holder farmers across Africa with quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Onion seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack, Farm management, E-extension and on-farm training for farmers to optimize on yields and get maximum profits.
Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Unlock the secrets to successful spring onion cultivation in Kenya with Onion Doctor’s expert guidance. Discover the best varieties, ecological requirements, and step-by-step procedures for growing, transplanting, and harvesting spring onions. Read on to optimize your yields and achieve maximum profits. Varieties of Spring Onions Grown In Kenya White lisbon. Spring green bunching. American flay. Italian giant. Ecological Requirements for Growing Spring Onions Light and well drained soil with a pH of 6.0- 7.0. Temperature range between 15-30°c. Well distributed rainfall between 500-700mm. Altitude of 500-2000m above sea level. Nursery Preparation & Planting The first step is to prepare raised beds about 1 metre wide and furrows which should be 5cm apart and 2cm deep. Apply organic manure/well-decomposed manure on the prepared land. You can also add phosphate fertilisers to enhance soil fertility. Plant the seeds in the furrows at a spacing of 15cm apart. After planting, add a thin layer of mulch above the planted seeds. Germination will occur after about 10 days. At this stage, you can remove the mulch and place it above the seed bed to provide a partial shade. Transplanting Transplanting is done after 4-6 weeks of sowing, when the seedlings have developed thick bases and attained a height of 10-15 cm. It should be done early in the morning or late in the evening when it is still cool. Proper watering needs to be done before and after transplanting to provide enough moisture for the plants. 4 weeks after transplanting, topdressing should be done using CAN. About 9kg is enough for an acre. Pests and Diseases Common pests that attack spring onions include leaf miners, onion fly and onion thrips. Diseases include downy mildew, purple blotch, onion rust and fusarium wilt. The pests and diseases can be controlled by using recommended pesticides & insecticides, practising proper field hygiene and crop rotation. Harvesting Spring onions take about 2 months to be ready for harvesting. They can be harvested once the leaves are green and succulent. Harvesting is done by simply uprooting the entire plant or lightly cutting the succulent leaves. One acre of land can yield about 8 tonnes of spring onions depending on the spacing used. Onion Doctor supports small holder farmers across Africa with quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Onion seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack, Farm management, E-extension and on-farm training for farmers to optimize on yields and get maximum profits.
Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Unlock the full potential of onion farming in Kenya with the guidance of Onion Doctor. From soil considerations to overcoming challenges, this guide equips you with essential insights for a successful onion harvest. Embrace the journey of year-round onion cultivation with optimal results through irrigation. Let’s explore the key elements that contribute to onion farming success in Kenya. Onions perform well in well drained, fertile, sandy loam, non-compacted soils. The ideal pH is 5.8 to 6.8. Onion farming is a worthy venture since it’s possible to grow onions throughout the year via irrigation. Soil test with accredited laboratories is advised. The ideal temperatures onions need to grow are between 13 – 35 degrees centigrade. This means that onions can grow in most parts of Kenya. However, to maximize production in areas such as Ukambani and some parts in the Coastal area, one needs to invest in a greenhouse and drip irrigation. This is because greenhouses will optimize the temperatures since these areas are hot and irrigation will provide the much needed water. Onions are a cool season crop. Most areas in Ukambani and the Coastal region are extremely dry. In terms of requirements, apart from land that is an obvious fact, other requirements are DAP Fertilizer and seedlings. 1 kg of seedlings can be used in 1 acre while 20 grams of DAP Fertilizer is applied per square meter. You should note that there are different seed varieties and they perform differently under different conditions. Common hybrid varieties available in Kenya include Red Coach F1 and Malbec F1. The most popular seed variety in Kenya is the Red Coach F1 since it produces high yield and the size and color of its onions are most ideal for the Kenyan markets. Challenges facing Onion Farming in Kenya Rains or Excess Watering: Too much rains or excess watering can water log the crop. If the rain in your area is too much, focus on growing the crop during the short rains. You can also raise the beds to ensure the water flows out of the field. Avoid excessive watering of your onions. The best type of irrigation on onions is drip irrigation. Overhead irrigation should be avoided as it causes fungal diseases. Diseases: Common diseases that affect onions include Downy Mildew, Bacterial Soft Rots, Pink/White Root, Botrytis, and Rusts. . Pests: Common pests that attack onions include maggots, thrips, nematodes and the leaf miner. Weeds: Weeds are a big challenge in onion farms. . Harvesting onions The best time to do the harvesting is during the dry season. Keep a calendar and record the essential dates to ensure you harvest at the right time. Bulb onions are ready for harvesting once they form a shiny membranous cover around the bulbs or when the foliage withers. Spring onions are ready for harvesting when they are 15 centimeters tall and 1.5 centimeters thick. Harvesting is done by pulling the bulbs and then chopping off the leaves. You then dry the bulbs in the sun before storing the produce. Onion Doctor supports small holder farmers across Africa with quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Onion seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack, Farm management, E-extension and on-farm training for farmers to optimize on yields and get maximum profits.
Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Unlock the secrets of thriving onion cultivation in Kenya through the game-changing approach of drip irrigation. Onion Doctor, your trusted partner, introduces you to a sustainable and profitable experience in large-scale bulb production. Delve into the advantages, profitability, and essential components of onion drip irrigation farming, transforming arid lands into fertile and productive havens. Step into the world of Onion Doctor, your dedicated companion in onion farming. Learn how Onion Doctor’s expertise and support can elevate your farming journey. Whether you seek guidance on kit selection or comprehensive services, Onion Doctor is here to ensure your success at a competitive price based on your acreage. How profitable is Onion Farming in Kenya? Onion farming is highly profitable, with the current cost of onion bulbs increasing. The growing of onions under drip irrigation is a good venture with a high output when well maintained. An acre of onions can produce 3–6 tonnes of onions under drip irrigation. Advantages of Onion Drip Irrigation Farming Diseases are less spread on onions grown under drip irrigation systems, a better step to lower chemical reliance on insecticides and pesticides. Such diseases as fungal infections and leave burns, cases that can occur on overhead irrigation of onions. Drip irrigation is easier to manage and unlike rainfall or furrow irrigation, you can control the rate of water flow to the onion farms. Onions need water during the planting period, but the ground should be dry when harvesting nears to prevent the bulbs from damage. Therefore, you need to stop irrigation 2–3 weeks before harvesting. Another benefit of working with drip irrigation is the low labour requirement and cheap cost of maintenance. Few labours force is required for simple tasks of opening and closing valves and taps, maintenance and checking the water flow. Onion Drip Kits The components for drip irrigation can include basic drip components to complex drip irrigation kits. The components include: HDPE mainline pipes Sub main line pipes or laterals Drip lines Drip Connectors End caps Ball valves Filters Fertilizer tanks Water tanks Tap connectors Connector fittings Male and female adaptors Thread tape or Glue seal Elbow, clamps or straight connectors. Onion Doctor supports small holder farmers across Africa with quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Onion seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack, Farm management, E-extension and on-farm training for farmers to optimize on yields and get maximum profits.
Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke Unlock the secrets of successful onion farming in Kenya, where the onion, a versatile vegetable, takes center stage in local cuisine. This guide explores the nuances of cultivating onions, from varieties and planting techniques to overcoming challenges, with a spotlight on the indispensable support provided by Onion Doctor. Understanding Onion Varieties: In Kenya, bulb onions and spring onions reign supreme. Bulb onions, with a maturity period of 3 to 4 months, thrive during short rains, offering harvest opportunities between January and February. On the other hand, spring onions, celebrated for their health benefits, present an easy-to-plant option for kitchen gardens. Despite their unique attributes, bulb onions steal the spotlight, boasting a longer shelf life and a sweeter taste. Planting Techniques for Optimal Yield: To achieve optimal onion yield, careful consideration must be given to the planting method. Starting with a nursery is crucial for success. A raised nursery bed, enriched with well-decomposed manure and DAP fertilizer, provides an ideal environment. Shallow furrows, spaced appropriately, serve as the canvas for planting seeds mixed with dry ash, sand, or soil. Transplanting seedlings with a pencil-thick base after six weeks ensures a successful transition to the main field. Conditions for Successful Onion Farming: Creating the right conditions is paramount for successful onion farming. Onions thrive in well-drained, fertile, sandy loam soils with an ideal pH range of 5.8 to 6.8. The versatility of onion farming is highlighted by its ability to be practiced throughout the year via irrigation. Critical requirements include DAP fertilizer and quality seedlings, with popular hybrid varieties like Red Creole, Red Pinnoy, Jambar 1, and Red Bombay dominating the market. Challenges and Solutions in Onion Farming: While onion farming in Kenya holds great promise, it comes with its set of challenges. Excess watering, diseases like Downy Mildew, pests such as maggots and thrips, and the constant threat of weeds can jeopardize the crop. Mitigating these challenges involves strategic irrigation practices, disease prevention through herbicides, pest control using accredited pesticides, and regular weeding sessions. Harvesting Techniques for Maximum Yield: Timing is everything in onion harvesting. Bulb onions, ready for harvest during the dry season, display a shiny membranous cover around the bulbs or withered foliage. Spring onions, at their prime when 15 centimeters tall and 1.5 centimeters thick, undergo a simple harvesting process involving pulling the bulbs, chopping off the leaves, and sun-drying before storage. Onion Doctor: Empowering Farmers for Maximum Profits: In the quest for onion farming success, Onion Doctor emerges as a trusted ally. Providing smallholder farmers across Africa with quality and affordable onion and garlic seedlings, farm planning services, soil testing, drip irrigation installation and maintenance, agronomic support, onion and garlic value packs, farm management, e-extension, and on-farm training, Onion Doctor ensures farmers optimize yields and achieve maximum profits.
Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Embark on a journey to successful onion and garlic farming in Kenya, overcoming unique challenges through an integrated weed management program. Discover the significance of tailored weed control strategies and how Onion Doctor’s expertise revolutionizes crop management for smallholder farmers. Explore the intricacies of planting densities, weed competition, and effective pre-planting weed management methods. An integrated weed management program is essential for onion and garlic production because of the unique challenges posed by their planting densities and susceptibility to weed competition. These crops are slow-growing and shallow-rooted, planted at high densities, and susceptible to severe yield loss from weed competition. Their narrow, upright leaves do not compete well with weeds, and their long growing season allows for successive flushes of weeds. Weed control is often challenging in these crops because few herbicides are registered, mechanical cultivation is often limited in high-density plantings, and hand-weeding can be costly. A good integrated weed management plan can increase the ease and effectiveness of these management tactics. Planting densities for onion and garlic pose unique challenges to weed management. These crops are sown at high plant densities and are not thinned to produce the greatest possible yield per acre. Onions are planted with 4 to 10 seed lines on beds that are 40 to 80 inches wide (furrow to furrow), or 36 inches wide in the intermountain area. Garlic is typically planted with 2 to 4 seed lines on 40-inch beds. These planting configurations limit cultivation to the furrow and narrow row middles on the bed top. Emphasis must be placed on techniques that reduce weed pressure before planting, such as the use of the stale seedbed method, weed-free seed, or soil solarization. Any method that reduces the amount of weed seed in the soil will reduce weeding costs during crop production. Another good way to prevent weed problems is to control existing weeds before they go to seed. Weed Management Before Planting Nonchemical control options are primarily limited to the preplant period in onion and garlic production. For most weed control methods, timing is important because small weed seedlings are easier to kill than larger weeds. Crop Rotation With Cover Crops: Cover crops are rarely used in onion and garlic production. However, they can provide a variety of benefits to the crop when used in crop rotations, especially if they are grown in the fall prior to planting Alliums. Timing is the key to whether cover crops promote or inhibit weed growth. If cover crops become established quickly, they will suppress weeds. Adequate seeding rate of the cover crop is also an important factor in providing rapid ground cover and suppressing weeds. Vigorous cover crops that provide complete ground cover in the first 30 days of the cover crop cycle are very competitive with weeds and greatly limit weed growth. Avoid slow-growing cover crops, including legumes and many cereal-legume mixes, which allow substantial weed growth and set seed early in the growth cycle of the cover crop. Cover crop residues must have adequate time (at least 3 to 4 weeks) to break down in the soil before planting onion and garlic, which require shallow, precise seeding depth with good seed-to-soil contact. Cover crop residues can increase pressure from certain diseases and insect pests. For example, cover crops can increase seedcorn maggot numbers. If a cover crop is used, incorporate the cover crop three to four weeks before planting onion or garlic to avoid tilling in green residues that attract this pest. Cover crops also have the potential to increase weed pressure for the following reasons. Annual weeds frequently establish themselves at the time of the cover crop. Depending upon the species, weeds can grow in the cover crop and set seed unnoticed. Weeds often decompose before the end of the cover crop cycle, making their detection difficult. In such cases, the cover crops act as nurse crops to weeds, making substantial contribution to the weed seed bank. It is important to monitor your cover crops, particularly in the first 40 days following seeding, to make sure that they are not creating a weed problem for subsequent plantings of onion and garlic. Onion Doctor supports small holder farmers across Africa with quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Onion seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack, Farm management, E-extension and on-farm training for farmers to optimize on yields and get maximum profits.