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Please select the type of onion you wish to see.
Bunching Onions
(seed)
Bunching
onions are perennial onions which divide at ground level in the
same manner as multiplier onions. Unlike multiplier onions they
do not form large bulbs. The bases of bunching onions are slightly
enlarged like scallions. Once established, clumps need only be divided
periodically.
CULTURE: See Cultural Notes for bulb onions from seed.
Bunching onions are cold-hardy and may be left in the ground year-round
where the ground doesn't freeze. Where the ground does freeze most
varieties should be transplanted into a greenhouse or cold frame
and moved out again in the spring.
PACKET: 1 gm (about 450 seeds)
sows 25'.
Dry Bulb Onions
(seed)
CULTURE:
Onions require a light, fertile, well- drained soil with lots of organic
matter. Maintain soil pH in range of 6 to 7. Soil that is too acid or
alkaline will cause slow growth and late maturity. Sow seeds in the spring
as soon as the soil can be worked. Sow 1/4" deep, 1 to 2 seeds per inch,
in rows 12 to 16" apart. Thin to 3 or 4" apart depending on the bulb size
of the variety. Onions are heavy feeders requiring an abundance of potassium
and phosphorous for good bulb formation. Nitrogen should be abundant during
the period of active leaf growth. Onions and weeds do not mix. Experiments
have shown yield reductions of 4% per day in the presence of weeds, or
50% reduction of yield in two weeks. Cultivation should be shallow since
onion roots are near the soil surface. A layer of organic mulch will help
suppress weeds and will aid in maintaining moisture and nutrient levels.
TRANSPLANTING:
Sow seeds indoors, 1/4" deep in flats in mid-February through mid-March
and transplant outdoors 4" apart. Do not prune the tops because the harvest
will be significantly decreased.
HARVEST:
When most of the tops have fallen over, pull onions, cure in partial shade
for 2 to 3 weeks until necks have thoroughly dried. Clip tops to within
1" of the bulb. Breaking over the tops by hand to accelerate harvest harms
the keeping quality of some varieties and helps the keeping quality of
other varieties.
PESTS AND
DISEASES: Practice crop rotation of at least 3 years to control pests
and diseases. Compost all onion residues.
LONG DAY
(LD) AND SHORT DAY (SD) TYPES: Varieties are designated as LD or SD. LD
types begin to form bulbs when day length is longer than 15 to 16 hours.
Plant LD types in the spring from Virginia northward. SD types begin to
form bulbs when day lengths are longer than 11 or 12 hours. SD types are
spring or fall-planted in Virginia, and fall- planted in the South.
SEED SAVERS:
Isolate varieties by a minimum of 150'. For pure seed, cage plants or
isolate by 1/4 to 1/2 mile.
PACKET: Open-pollinated
varieties, 3 g (about 700 seeds) sows 50' direct seeded or 245' as transplants.
Hybrids, 1 g (about 225 seeds) sows 15' direct seeded or 75' as transplants.
Multiplier (Perennial) Onions
Including Potato Onions and Shallots.
NOTE:
Multiplier onions are shipped from September until early
November. Please do place orders early because we may sell out
our expected supply before September!
Check back in July for new varieties of perennial onions
not yet listed!
HEIRLOOM POTATO ONIONS
Potato
onions enjoyed widespread popularity before the turn of the century.
Nearly every gardener grew potato onions and they were available
in yellow, white, and reddish-brown varieties, the yellow being
most common. Potato onions are still a local favorite in some areas
of Virginia. Each bulb cluster of potato onions may contain many
bulbs, averaging 2 to 2-1/2" in diameter. When a small bulb (3/4")
is planted, it will usually produce one or two larger bulbs. When
a large bulb (3 to 4") is planted, it will produce approximately
10 to 12 bulbs per cluster. These bulbs of various sizes may be
used for eating, storing, or replanting. By replanting a mixture
of sizes you will have plenty of sets for next year's crop and plenty
of onions for eating during the year. Potato onions can increase
3- to 8- fold by weight each year depending on growing conditions.
Potato onions store better than most seed onions, and individual
bulbs can be grown in flower pots to produce a steady supply of green onions during the winter.
SHALLOTS
(Allium
cepa var. aggregatum)
Shallots
are planted and harvested in essentially the same manner as potato
onions. (See description for Multiplier Onions.) They have a delicate,
mild flavor and some varieties are especially valued in gourmet
cooking. Our shallots are widely adapted and do not require special
day lengths to yield well.
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Onions