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Watch Your Garden Grow - University of Illinois

Extension

Principios para Cultivar Vegetales

Cultivando Su Huerto

Directorio de Vegetales

Glosario

Cr ditos

In English

Cebolla
Variedades | Cuando Sembrar | Espacio y Profundidad | Cuidado | Cosecha | Problemas Comunes | Preguntas y
Respuestas | Selección y Almacenamiento | Nutricion y Salud | Preparación | Preservación Casera | Recetas

Onion is a cool-season vegetable that can be grown successfully throughout most of

temperate North America. Onions may be grown from sets, transplants or seeds.

Onions start bulb formation when the day length is of the proper duration and different
varieties of onions require different day lengths to initiate bulbing. In general, most
common varieties fall into one of two classes, long-day (for northern latitudes) and
short-day (for southern latitudes). For this reason, onion varieties that are grown in the
South are not adaptable to the North and vice versa. Late plantings of the suggested
varieties also result in small bulbs or lack of bulbing altogether in any location.

High temperatures and low humidity are advantageous during bulbing and curing.
Onions have shallow roots and compete poorly with weeds and grasses. Timely shallow
hoeing and cultivation are important, especially when the onions are small.

Onions may be eaten raw, broiled, boiled, baked, creamed, steamed, fried, french fried and pickled. They are used in
soups and stews and combination with vegetables and meats.

Onions From Sets

Growing green onions from sets is probably the simplest method for the home gardener. The plants are quickly
established and become vigorous and strong. Onion sets may be used to produce both green onions and dry onion
bulbs, though production of really premium dry onions requires methods described in the following section.

Onions from Transplants

Transplanting young onion seedlings is the method of growing that most regularly produces large, dry, attractive
onions for slicing (as shown in catalog pictures). Transplants are purchased in bundles (usually 60 to 80 plants) from
garden stores and through seed and nursery catalogs (though mail-order onion plants often cost as much as buying the
60 to 80 full-size mature bulbs they may produce).

Variedades Recomendadas

Several varieties are used for onion sets. All of these varieties are widely adaptable. The home gardener has little
choice of varieties at the store, however, because sets are seldom sold under varietal names, merely by color: yellow,
white or red. Yellow sets are sometimes sold as the varieties Ebenezer or Stuttgarter.

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Purchase firm, dormant sets early - before they begin growth in heated salesrooms. Store sets in a cool, dry, dark
environment if planting must be delayed after purchase. Divide the sets into two sizes before planting. Large sets
(larger than a dime in diameter) are best used for green onions. If allowed to grow, these sets may "bolt" and form
flower stalks. The small sets (smaller than a dime in diameter) produce the best bulbs for large, dry onions; and they
usually do not "bolt." Extremely cold weather during early season growth also may condition onions from sets to
flower.

Round onion sets produce flat onions; elongated or torpedo-shaped sets mature into round onions. Most gardeners
prefer white sets for green onions, although red or yellow sets are also acceptable.

Onions From Transplants

Gardeners should try to match varieties to their location. Long-day onions are bred for best performance in the North
and short-day varieties perform best in southern locations. Short-day varieties may perform acceptably in the North if
the plants can be set out very early in the season. Long-day types may not get the bulbing signal in the Deep South
and so should be avoided there.

The normal gardencenter may offer Yellow and White Sweet Spanish (long-day varieties), Yellow and White Bermuda
(short-day varieties and a red variety that may or may not be named (Southport Red Globe, perhaps; a long-day
variety). Catalog shoppers may choose from a slightly wider variety selection, which may include Texas Grano
(short- day), Vidalia Sweet (really a Granex hybrid, short-day), Red Hamburger (short-day), Walla Walla Sweet
(long-day) and Texas 1015Y Supersweet (short-day). Prices normally are two to three times as high through catalog
sales and may be as much as ten times as high. Only individual consumers can judge if this cost is justified for trying
a new variety.

¿Cuándo Sembrar?

Onions can be planted as soon as the garden can be tilled in the spring, usually late March or early April in prime
regions for producing onions. Good fertility, adequate soil moisture and cool temperatures aid development.

Espacio y Profundidad Para Sembrar

To produce green onions, plant the larger sets 1 _ inches deep and close enough to touch one another (green onions
are harvested before crowding becomes a problem). To produce dry onions, plant the smaller sets 1 inch deep, with 2
to 4 inches between sets. Allow 12 to 18 inches between rows. If sets are 2 inches apart, harvest every other plant as
green onions so that bulb development of the remaining sets is not impeded by neighboring plants.

Onions from Transplants

Plant in fertile soil in early spring. Space the plants 4 to 5 inches apart in the row to produce large-sized bulbs (closer
spacing significantly decreases bulb size) or space 2 to 2 _ inches apart and harvest every other plant as a green
onion. Allow 12 to 18 inches between rows or space onions 6 to 8 inches apart in all directions in beds. Set the
transplants 1 to 1 _ inches deep and apply 1 cup per plant of a starter-fertilizer solution.

Cuidado

Keep onions free from weeds by shallow cultivation and hoeing. To develop long, white stems for green onions,
slightly hill the row by pulling the loose soil toward the onions with a hoe when the tops are 4 inches tall. Do not hill
onions that are to be used as dry onions. Hilling may cause the necks of the stored bulb to rot.

Onions from Transplants

Weeds and grass compete with the onion plants for nutrients and moisture during the growing season. Remove all
weeds and grass by diligent and repeated shallow cultivation and hoeing. Side-dressing with fertilizer may be
necessary.

Cosecha

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Pull green onions anytime after the tops are 6 inches tall. Green onions become stronger in flavor with age and
increasing size. They may be used for cooking when they are too strong to eat raw. Though leaves are traditionally
discarded, all parts above the roots are edible.

Remove any plants that have formed flower stalks and use immediately. They do not produce good bulbs for dry
storage. Harvest in late July or early August, when most of the tops have fallen over. Allow the plants to mature and
the tops to fall over naturally. Breaking over the tops early interrupts growth, causing smaller bulbs that do not keep
as well in storage.

Pull the mature onions in the morning and allow the bulbs to air dry in the garden until late afternoon. On especially
hot, bright, sunny days, the bulb may sunburn. On days when this is likely, remove onions to a shaded location and
allow them to dry thoroughly. Then, before evening dew falls, place them under dry shelter on elevated slats or
screens or hang them in small bunches. Tops may be braided or tied with string before hanging. Full air circulation
for 2 to 3 weeks is necessary for complete drying and curing. Keep the dry wrapper scales as intact as possible on the
bulbs, as they enhance the keeping ability.

After the bulbs dry, cut the tops 1 _ to 2 inches long (at or above the narrow spot where the stem bent over), and
place the bulb in dry storage with good air circulation. Do not try to store bulbs that are bruised, cut or diseased, or
those with green tops or thick necks. Store under cool, dry conditions. Dry onions may keep until late winter, but
check them regularly and use or discard those that begin to soften or rot.

Onions from Transplants

The earlier varieties are usually ready to harvest in July, with later varieties maturing into August. When most of the
tops have fallen over, the onions may be pulled and dried (refer back to Harvesting under "Onions From Sets"). The
length of storage time varies with the variety, with the sweeter varieties usually being the poorer keepers.

Problemas Comunes

Above 40 degrees north latitude, root maggots may attack the roots of onion plants.

Preguntas y Respuestas

Q. I harvested my onions in late summer and they began to rot by fall. Why?

A. Onions may rot at either the base or neck. Rotting at the base may be caused by soilborne fungi or carelessness in
harvesting and handling, but it is usually caused by damage from root maggots. If onion bulbs rot at the neck, either
they have been cured insufficiently before storage or the leaves have been severely infected by fungi during the
growing season. Onions that were "hilled" or covered with soil before harvest often start to rot soon after harvest.
Many of the "sweet" varieties are very poor keepers and should be enjoyed fresh soon after harvest, as no method of
storage keeps them from rotting for very long.

Q. What happens when onions are broken over?

A. They stop bulb development at that point and may be immature. As a result, they do not cure or dry properly. In
some cases, the rings also separate, yielding bulbs of poor quality.

Q. My parents came from Europe, where they braided the tops of onions. Why are onions braided.

A. Onions are braided for curing and storage. After the tops are air dried, they are braided and the onions are hung in
a dry, sheltered location with good air circulation. Incorporating twine with the braiding adds strength. Individual
onions may be cut from the braided "rope" as needed, leaving the rest of the braid intact.

Q. My grandparents grew winter onions. Can I grow these?

A. Yes. Hardy through most of the country, winter onions (Egyptian or walking onions) are planted from sets formed
at the tops of the plant in place of flowers. Plant the sets 1 inch deep during August. Space sets 4 to 5 inches apart.
The clump also may be divided in early spring (March or April) and transplanted in the same manner as other onion
plants. In either case, be sure to place the winter onion bed at the side or end of your garden because these onions are
perennials. Sets are available from a limited number of seed houses and can usually be obtained from other gardeners

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in the area.

Q. How do I grow multiplier onions?

A. Multiplier onions (sometimes referred to as "potato onions") are planted and handled in exactly the same manner
as shallots. True multiplier onions, like winter onions, are difficult to obtain, though some specialty seed houses have
begun to stock these old-style crops again. They are not normally grown from seeds.

Selección y Almacenamiento

Onions are the single most important ingredient a cook can have on hand. What versatility– choose from sweet,
sharp, mild, or pungent. Because the onion family is so diverse (chives, scallions, leeks, shallots, garlic, red onions,
yellow onions, and white onions), this discussion will be limited to scallions, green garden onions and mature garden
onions.

Scallions and Green Onions

Scallions can be harvested any time they look tall enough to use. Gently pull or dig well below the slender white
portion when the leaves are 8 to 10 inches high. True scallions have no bulb. Select healthy bright green tops that
look crisp.

Green onions or spring onions are a step above scallions although the terms are often used interchangeably. They
have a 1-2 inch bulb with green tops. The smaller bulbs are sweet while the larger ones are more pungent. Left in the
ground longer, the bulb will develop and become larger.

Scallions and green onions are best harvested as you use them. For longer storage, rinse soil from bulbs and dry,
peeling away the first layer if necessary, trim roots and store in the refrigerator for up to a week in perforated plastic
bags.

Mature Onions

Mature garden onions are ready for harvesting when the green top withers, falls over and starts to turn brown. This
usually happens in mid to late summer. Be sure to harvest before the fall rains, mature onions will rot quickly in cool,
wet soil.

Lay mature onions in a single layer on newspaper in a warm, well ventilated place to cure for a few days. Leave
undisturbed until the outer skin becomes papery and crispy dry. Select unbruised onions, rub off the stringy roots,
and braid the tops. Hang in bunches or place in mesh bags and hang away from moisture. If stored in a dry cool place
(50 to 60 degrees), they will keep for months.

Valor Nutritivo y Beneficios Para la Salud

All members of the onion family offer some protection against heart disease. Research suggests that oils in onions (as
well as other members of the onion family) help to lower LDL in the blood stream while increasing HDL levels.
Mature, dry onions are also a good source of fiber. Only scallions and green onions contain vitamin A.

Nutrition FactsNutrition Facts

(1/2 cup fresh green onions, chopped)

Calories 13
Dietary Fiber 1.2 grams
Protein 0.9 grams
Carbohydrates 2.8 mg
Vitamin A 2,500 IU
Vitamin C 22.5 mg
Iron 0.9 mg

(1/2 cup chopped, mature onions)

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Calories29
Dietary Fiber2 grams
Protein1 gram
Carbohydrates 6.6 grams
Vitamin C6 mg
Vitamin B60.2 mg

Preparación y Formas de Servir

Why do onions make you cry? When you cut into an onion, the cell walls are damaged releasing a sulfur compound
called propanethial-S-oxide which floats into the air. This compound is converted to sulfuric acid when it comes in
contact with water which is why it stings your eyes. Chilling inactivates the propanethial-S-oxide so it does not float
into the air. Thus, no tears.

To keep eyes dry when chopping onions, try chilling peeled onions in the refrigerator before chopping. To get the
onion smell off your hands, rub with lemon juice or vinegar. To freshen onion breath, chew a little parsley or a coffee
bean.

Preservación Casera

There is no successful way to preserve scallions and green onions for more than a few days. However, mature onions
can be dried and hung in mesh bags or braided together and stored in a cool (50 to 60 degrees) for several months.

Recetas

Onion and Celery Seed Relish

1 cup white wine vinegar or distilled white vinegar

2 tablespoons confectioners’ (powdered) sugar
2 tablespoons celery seeds
2 cups thinly sliced small onions, no green tops
1 cup finely chopped celery
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

In a salad bowl, stir together the vinegar and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Add the celery seed, onions, and celery
and mix well until combined. Cover and chill several hours or overnight. Serve very cold. Serve on sandwiches, as a
side for any meal, or mix with your favorite lettuce salad. Makes 3 cups.

Serving Suggestions for Fresh Greens/Scallions

Take one cup chopped or sliced green onions and scallions and saute-braise them in one tablespoon each of butter
and olive oil. Cook slowly until softened and slightly golden. As the onions cook the flavor mellows, yet it
intensifies.

Grilled green onions -- Wash and trim 6 to 8 green onions. Place on a sheet of aluminum foil. Squeeze the juice of
half a lime over onions. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme, salt and pepper to taste. Seal foil around onions.
Place on the grill, on the side away from direct heat or over low coals. Grill for 30 minutes. Serve with other grilled
foods. Delicious.

Chop fresh scallions and use to top beans, fresh lettuce salads, or use to perk up and add crunch to any cooked
vegetable.

Principios para Cultivar Vegetales | Directorio de Vegetales | Glosario | Cr ditos

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