new video clip: precision planting

Early in spring the farmer performs a very important task in close collaboration with the cultivation supervisor. Because only a very meticulous and thorough soil analysis of the piece of land the farmer has in mind for growing Holland Onions, determines if the plot will actually be sown. The soil characteristics such as structure, soil temperature and the moisture content of the subsoil decide the precise moment to commence the seeding process.

In the past decades the ecological precision of the time to sow has been finely tuned by the grower to the onion’s endogenous biological clock. The Holland Onion only thrives at a minimal day length of 16 hours which is attained around May 21. This inbuilt genetic clock also reacts to the far-red part of the light spectrum causing the plant to start the bulb formation.

If the weather predictions are favorable the onion seed drill is dusted off between mid-March and mid-April. Next, every seed is pneumatically planted at fixed distances from each other and at a fixed depth. Because to achieve a homogeneous growth and a uniform onion harvest, an even sowing depth is an absolute must.

More and more often the producer chooses a plant density matching the demand. Slightly less sowing usually results in coarser onions which is a product quality particularly sought after in the second half of the export season. However, sowing too little could mean a lower yield. So we are constantly searching for the right balance.

Click here to view our newest video clip More than just an onion: precision planting. If you would like to receive our newest videos automatically, you can subscribe to our own HOA YouTube channel here.