How does weather affect harvest timing?

"You have no weather powers whatsoever," you say. The onion is directly dependent upon the whims of the weather; maturity and harvest time are conditioned by it. Heat waves hasten it by weeks by hastening photosynthesis. Cold spells delay bulb forming by slackening growth. Heavy rains cause a loss, as the harvest must occur sooner to prevent the bulbs from rotting. Prolonged breezes cause a crop to fall over a few days too soon. Always "watch the weather" late in the season.

Heat needs protection from. Suppose the temperature is above 90°F when harvesting, the bulbs can sunscald. Shade cloth should be used. I learned this the hard way and lost a crop to the Arizona heat. I now take the soil temperature at the bulb level. Above 85°F, and I take action.

Rain calls for hurried schedules. Check necks daily, or more often, in threatening weather. Pick every dry opportunity, even if the bulbs are small. Use garden forks to carefully lift the plants out of the muddy soil; do not pull them up by the tops. My Pacific Coast harvests increased in size when I accompanied the rain.

*Choose varieties suited to your weather*. In southern climates, select a heat-tolerant short-day onion. In northern regions, grow a long-day type that is "cold hardy." Match the genetics of your onion to your local growing conditions. This is the best way to avert weather hassles at harvest time. Your onions will mature right up to the point of weather disruptions.

The forecasts are your friends. Urbano says 10-day forecasts should be checked starting about three weeks before the expected harvest day. See mention of rain and 90-degree temp spikes. Water less so when the inevitable rain comes, it's curtains. I have a weather app with a soil moisture meter reader attached to her phone, and I am no longer caught scrambling as things roll in unexpectedly.

Read the full article: When to Harvest Onions: Ultimate Guide