Can I plant onions now?

jinksd1

In looking over my garden today, I noticed that some onions accidently left in the ground last fall have started growing.  It seems awfully early, but the weather has been very warm for this time of year, and the winter was exceptionally mild here.  I'm in Illinois, in zone 5.

Anyway, I thought that since they're coming up on their own already, wouldn't it be okay if I planted some new onion sets now?  I know the ground is a little wet and cold right now, so I wouldn't work the soil too hard by tilling it.  I'd probably disturb it just enough to get the onions deep enough.  So, what do you think?

Read2Me

I think you can but to be sure, check out sproutrobot.com- you put in your zip code and it will tell you what to plant week by week.  It's awesome!

Hey Jellisy

I would think you can.  In my zone, 7a, we can plant them in the fall and overwinter them.  We're not as cold as IL here in VA, but we do freeze and get snow/ice, etc.

jinksd1

Thanks!  I decided to just go for it.  When I felt the soil, it actually felt like the perfect temp and amount of water in it (not too wet or dry), so I think it didn't hurt it to dig the small trench for the onions.  Didn't take too long to do it, and a bag of onion sets is only $2, so no great loss if they don't take. 

GRsweetpea

I tried to post last week, and couldn't.  I'm in zone 5, too.  The book I use for my planting bible (and my practice of it for a few years now) affirms your choice.