This means that beds may have to be irrigated several times a day with 0.1 to 0.2 inches of water. Weed Control Weed control is vital to producing high quality onions. Onions compete poorly with weeds, so weeds can drastically reduce yield and quality. Weeds make the onion crop harder to harvest and can make other pest-control measures less effective. There are several options for weed control.
Cultivation is difficult in onions because of their shallow root system.
Cultivate shallowly early in the season but avoid throwing extra soil around the plants. Avoid late cultivation because it will cut roots and break the foliage. Chemical weed control probably offers the most efficient and effective method of control, particularly for large plantings. The latest edition of the Georgia Pest Control Handbook or your local county Extension agent should be consulted for the latest information on the use of herbicides in onions. Care should be exercised in the use of these chemicals because crop damage is a real danger if rates are not followed exactly.