15130

Long-day variety. Large, firm bulbs with crisp, white flesh, deep tan skins, and exceptional storage quality. Uniform, 3-4 inch tall globes are fabulous caramelized or slow-cooked into savory French onion soup.

The common practice is to break or crush the onion stems if there are signs of flower heads. When the stems are dry, dig the bulbs, which can be left on top of the ground to cure and dry for several days.

Setting out onion plants that are too large, planting too early or using the wrong varieties usually causes onions to bolt or form undersize bulbs.

The rest of the onion family; garlic, leeks, and shallots, should be planted in the fall if you're in the South and in late winter/early spring in the North. Gardeners in plant hardiness Zone 7 and further south will be mostly fall planters. From Zone 6 north check with the local Extension office for recommended planting times. Leeks, though not a traditional southern crop, are very easy to grow as a winter vegetable from the Gulf Coast, south. The same can be said for garlic. 'Early Italian' and 'Extra Select' are softneck varieties of garlic best adapted to most gardens in the U.S. In Zones 4 and above the hardneck garlics may be worth a try.