Types of Onions

Storage Onions

"Yellow" types store well and last until late spring under good storage conditions. Onions are actually easier to grow from seeds than from sets - they don't bolt as quickly. Start indoors in March or from direct seed in April.

Scallions

Scallions are a year-round crop. For an extra early crop, start as transplants, sowing 5-10 seeds per container, and set the whole clump into the garden 10cm (4") apart to produce instant bunches! From April on, seed .5-1cm (1/4-1/2") apart in short rows. Add more rows as needed, planting into August for fall and winter.

Shallots

Shallots grown from seed will be much larger than those grown from sets.

Mild Sweet Onions

Mild sweet onions are usually used raw or lightly cooked. Eat within a few months of harvesting as they are not suited to long-term storage. Start indoors in late February or early March.

Overwintering Onions

Overwintering onions are started in August and thinned to 10cm (4") apart in February when they are also side dressed with a nitrogen fertilizer. They survive where temperatures do not get lower than -23 degrees Celsius (-10 degrees Fahrenheit). Keep weeded through spring, add more nitrogen in April, and watch them fatten in May. Tops down in June, just in time for summer salads!

Long Day Onions

Long-day onions are better suited to the North, and need 13 hours plus of daylight for the best development, while short-day varieties need less and thrive in regions with a mild winter climate.

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