When choosing which onion to grow, be aware of
the day length the onion requires. The day length for this area
is considered a Long day or an Intermediate day. Short day
varieties may be grown in this area, but they won't perform as well as
they would in the southern part of the country. Onions should be
planted six weeks before the last frost date. The estimated last
frost date for this area is May 21.
Onions prefer fertile, well-balanced soil, and lots
of light. A soil pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is considered ideal for
onions. Adding composted manure and other composted materials
will help where clay or heavy soils are involved. This should be
done two weeks prior to planting and even better, if done the fall
before planting.
Onions have two major growing steps. The first
is the growing of the top and the roots. The second is the bulb
formation. The secret to growing onions is to grow the tops as
large and as quick as possible, for the bulb below will not get any
larger the top. Foliar feeding as well as soil feeding can
encourage this. In the beginning, onions have very small roots
and tend to dry out quickly, but once the bulb is matured, stop
watering, and let the skins form. Onions for use in the green
stage are harvested as soon as they reach edible size.
Onions that are to be stored should be harvested
when most of the tops have broken over.
The onions should be placed on the ground in the sun with the tops
covering the bulbs to prevent sunscald. The length of time
required for the tops to dry depends on the weather and may be anywhere
from 3 to 10 days. After the tops are fairly well dried down,
they are cut off. Leave about 1 inch of top attached to the
bulb.
Onions that are to be stored for winter use must be
thoroughly cured. The curing means that the onions should be held
in a place that is well ventilated with good air circulation for about
3 to 4 weeks. The onions should not be placed where they can
freeze. The storage area should be well ventilated and dry.
Yellow Granex (Vidalia type)
Short Day length
This is a semi-flat onion with rounded shoulders. It is approved
to be planted in Vidalia, Georgia. It is a very sweet yellow
onion. Hybrid: A cross between 1015Y and Bermuda onions.
Matures: 75-100 days (Note: The earlier
planted, the larger they will get.)
Storage Time: approximately one month.
Walla Walla
Long Day length
This is a semi-flat, open pollinated, yellow onion. It is
considered the sweetest of all the long day varieties. It is also
the fastest growing of the Long day type onions.
Matures: 90 days
Storage Time: approximately one month.
Yellow Sweet Spanish
Long Day length
This is a globe shaped, open pollinated, yellow onion. It is
large, usually 4 to 6 inches across, exceptionally mild, and
sweet. They are excellent cooked or raw. It can be used
either as a green onion or as a mature onion.
Matures: 100 days
Storage Time: 4-5 months.
