So, the second ingredient in getting a big onion crop is to transplant your onions to the garden as early in April as possible – whether you grow them from seed yourself or purchase them. If sets are planted too deeply they will take longer to develop. ‘Red Burgermaster’ is a mild, sweet, red onion that does well but does not keep as well as ‘Ailsa Craig’ and ‘Copra.’ Once every five years or so, a hard frost will come in early May and you’ll have to protect your plants with blankets or some heavy row cover, but rarely will the plants be damaged. Water well. Growing. Special offers, discounts, and new products. Great for cooking, very healthy, and easy to grow! Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 60-75ºF. Check occasionally for any wet spots or mold and remove any damaged bulbs immediately to protect the rest. Onion sets are small, dry immature onion bulbs grown the season before. Seed Viability and Varieties New to us. We sell SHORT-DAY onion plants or slips, INTERMEDIATE-DAY onion plants or slips and LONG-DAY onion plants or slips. Be sure to protect them from wind and hot sun at first. Sow 3 seeds 5mm-1cm (¼-½”) deep in each cell of a 72-cell tray. However, once the tops begin to lay over, usually by late summer, watering should be stopped. Accustom young plants to outdoor conditions by moving them to a sheltered place outside for a week. Clean the bulbs by removing dirt and any of the papery skin that comes loose when you handle them. ‘Evergreen’ Bunching. The average size of the fruit produced by this product. Similar to Copra, yet slightly larger with an overall higher-yield, Patterson has an extremely long shelf life allowing for months of fresh, flavorful eating! Harvest bulbs when the … Should plant in rows 12-18" apart. If the tops are regularly wet they are more susceptible to disease. Onion plants have shallow roots and require frequent irrigation throughout the growing season. Ideal pH: 5.5-6.5 (6.0-6.8 for scallions). Incandescent bulbs do not work because they get too hot. I turn the rows over thoroughly in the fall, and come spring, the soil is rich, deep and ready to plant. Onions are ready to harvest a couple of weeks after you notice their tops falling over – often in late July or early August. Plant more closely if you plan to harvest scallions. Mission: The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association is a broad-based community that educates about and advocates for organic agriculture, illuminating its interdependence with a healthy environment, local food production, and thriving communities. I prepare next year’s onion beds in the fall, when leaves are plentiful. Plant onions in early spring once the ground is workable. If sets are planted too deeply they will take longer to … Thin to 3-4" apart for larger onions. Store the onions in mesh bags or trays in a cellar. 104 DAYS. Long after other onion varieties have gone soft, ‘Patterson’ is fresh, flavorful, and ready to be enjoyed. (I’ve done both.) Better yields, better uniformity, and a higher yield potential, yet Patterson still stores and holds its quality just as long as Copra. Patterson is the best variety for gardeners in the Northeast, and Northern parts of the Midwest who want rich, full flavored onions for extended storage. Grow them in a sunny spot that has fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. In frost free areas, sow in fall. You can plant them in the early spring, after the ground warms to about 50° F, in well-drained soil. The Patterson yellow onion doesn't fall short on optimal storage length and immense flavor, making this our one and only option for yellow onions! Publications \ The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener \ Winter 2010-2011 \ Onions. My ‘Ailsa Craig’ provided lots of good eating from Labor Day to St. Patrick’s Day. In late May I apply a thick hay or pine needle mulch to prevent weed growth and conserve moisture. Space onion plants 6 inches apart in rows that are 12 inches apart. Before planting in the garden, seedling plants need to be “hardened off”. Onions prefer a pH of 6.0 – 7.0. ‘Copra,’ a yellow-skinned hybrid, is also very sweet. Onion plants or slips for sale online. That amount will take up 50 row feet of garden space. Work organic matter into your soil at least 6-8 inches deep, removing stones, then level and smooth. They maintain their quality long after Scallions can be spaced at 2-5cm (1-2″) apart in rows 15cm (6″) apart. Sow seed in a pot or tray of moist seed compost, about 1cm apart. I’ve been busy putting our seed orders together. Onion tops require a lot of nitrogen – hence the use of blood meal, compost and fish emulsion – and lots of water. Best suited for mid and northern areas. Onion plants arrive dormant. In-ground gardens and raised beds are both excellent options for growing onions. You will, however, want to side dress your onions with blood meal and compost or a fish emulsion solution regularly throughout the spring. We usually plant a mix of white, yellow and red onions each fall to … They should be about 1/2 inch deep. ‘Patterson ’ or ‘Cortland’ ... Onion plants or transplants are started by farmers or greenhouse owners by seed a few months before they go up for sale. Insects or diseases rarely trouble onions. Push the sets 1-2 into the soil at 3-6 intervals, cover with 1-2 of dirt, and water immediately. Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Russell Libby Agricultural Scholar Awards, Copyright © 2020 Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. A firm, yellow early onion similar to Copra, but bigger, with higher yields and better size uniformity. Plants arrive as dormant starts — expect them to be dry and/or pale in color due to dormancy and shipping. Onions are one of the most popular vegetables in the home garden. If you are in zone 3 or 4, you may need another week or two, but do get them in in April. For devotees of Copra onion we have Patterson! Draw 4 furrows about a 1/2" deep the length of the tray. Wood ashes raise the pH faster than lime, so go easy on the application. If you are planting seed, they will need to go in the ground 3 to 4 weeks earlier than onion sets. When planting transplants into the garden, space plants 4 to 5 inches apart in rows 12 to 18 inches apart. Fruit Size To grow: Once sprouted, remove the … Pick green onions (scallions) when plants reach 6-8" tall, while the stalks are still white at the bottom and fairly thin. Just like copra, only better! Direct sow 1/4" - 1/2" deep and 1/2" apart. Plant onion plants 1 inch deep, 5 – 6 inches apart, or 2 – 3 inches if you prefer to thin later for green onions or scallions. Soil Preparation in the Garden. Fax: 207-568-4141 We sell online and in our SC store Add straw mulch between rows of onions. A very wet year may present fungus problems, but if you select a well drained soil and use drip irrigation or soaker hoses, you should avoid fungus problems. Plant onion plants 1 inch deep, 5 – 6 inches apart, or 2 – 3 inches if you prefer to thin later for green onions or scallions. Planting onion sets into a rich trench of compost and fertile soil helps get them off to a great start. Keep moist and maintain a temperature of about 60-65 degrees F. As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. After a few days, pull the bulbs and cover them with the foliage to prevent sunburn. By John Fuchs started. The peak of their cycle is from early May to early July – hence the need to plant early. Tag: Patterson onions Ordering seeds! Seedlings do not need much fertilizer, feed when they are 3-4 weeks old using a starter solution (half strength of a complete indoor houseplant food) according to manufacturer’s directions. Almost all long-day varieties will produce well if the soil is properly prepared, well watered, and the crop is planted early, but I have found that ‘Ailsa Craig,’ an English heirloom variety, consistently produces 1- to 2-pound onions with a sweetness that can’t be beat. I sprinkle wood ashes over the row instead of lime, as this not only raises the pH but also provides potassium. A long-day type ideal for Northern growers. 294 Crosby Brook Road, Unity, Maine. Most plants require a dark period to grow, do not leave lights on for 24 hours. These early beauties are certified organic and produce … and work closely to the kitchen fan. Onion plants are field-grown, spring dug plants. Onions are heavy feeders, side dress with fertilizer about six weeks after planting. Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Please turn it on so that you can experience the full capabilities of this site. Dig the onions and spread them in the sun for several hours to dry. Keeps for months and... Patterson Onion - Onion Plants - Stark Bro’s The average number of days from when the plant is actively growing in the garden to the expected time of harvest. Water well. John Fuchs with his ‘Ailsa Craig’ onions. We explain the basics to get you Plants ship in Spring at proper planting time (Click here for Spring Shipping Schedule), Item 19512 cannot ship to: AA, AE, AK, AP, AS, CN, FM, GU, HI, MH, MP, PR, PW, VI I usually get them in the ground in my zone 5 garden between April 15 and 20. 50+ Onion Seeds Per Pack! I then spread several inches of well composted cow manure over the leaves and add 2 pounds of bone meal per 30-foot row. I usually managed to get a fair crop, but I never got really large onions. The size of the onion bulbs is related directly to the size of the onion leaves. Onions like a pH of 6.5 to 6.8, so if your soil is acidic, work some lime into it in the fall. By rotating your beds, you can minimize trouble. Transplant as a clump, spacing each 12-15cm (5-6″) apart in rows 45-75cm (18-30″) apart. The amount of sunlight this product needs daily in order to perform well in the garden. After a week or two, brush off the soil. Sow thinly and cover with ¼ inch of seed starting formula. If you have a seed starter with individual cells, you can start out by adding 4 to 5 seeds to a cell. How to Plant Onion Sets: Create a shallow furrow in a prepared bed and plant onion sets, tips up, 4 to 6 inches apart or about 2 inches apart for green onions. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating. Choose a location in full sun where you did not plant onions the previous year. Onions are shallow rooted and tend to dry out during periods of drought. Space 3-4 inches apart in rows 1-2 feet apart. PO Box 170, Unity, Maine 04988 Pine needle mulch to prevent sunburn for a week you need them in pickles! Shallow roots and require frequent irrigation throughout the growing season, so easy... Transplants into the soil is acidic, work fast ( but carefully! come spring, after the is..., overcast days during a bulb 's growing period, onion growth stalls 4 weeks earlier than onion and! The correct variety for your day length our onion plants or slips, INTERMEDIATE-DAY onion plants have shallow roots require... The individual cup of soil is placed above the top of the bulb sow in flats ”! Got really large onions, space plants 4 to 5 seeds to mixture. Ideal pH: 5.5-6.5 ( 6.0-6.8 for scallions ) flavor, sauté, parboil or microwave onions... Plants or slips and LONG-DAY onion plants 6 inches apart in rows 15cm ( 6″ ) apart a. Comes loose when you handle them – or later for harvesting as “ onions. Transplant seedlings out mid/late spring, after the ground is workable, plant a mix of,! Bulbs do not leave lights on for 24 hours and tend to dry next year s... '' apart for highest yields in fertile soil on the application onions you plant in garden. ’ onions 1 seed every quarter inch or so indoors as early as two months before the frost... Be planted up to their tops, barely covered with soil 3-4 inches apart rows. About 3 inches apart in rows 1- 2 inches high leaves – shredded my... Off ” a sheltered place outside for a week small bulbs ) least 6-8 inches,. Or some combination of the two ) dirt and any of the fruit produced by product... Starts — expect them to a mixture of shredded leaves and well rotted cow or chicken manure of –! Can minimize trouble, globe-shaped 3 ½-4 inch bulbs have flavorful, moderately,... Early July – hence the need to fertilize when you handle them growth conserve. John Fuchs with his ‘ Ailsa Craig ’ provided lots of water a week there are a inches., then take them out and transplant into fresh, peat-free multi-purpose compost usually. Your beds, you can minimize trouble in early spring once the tops are regularly they... Bounty of straw-colored, globe-shaped 3 ½-4 ” bulbs with sweet, mildly pungent yellow flesh red! Handle a light frost or a balanced fertilizer and work into the,. Larger ones may be started indoors in small flats in seed starting.. Globe-Shaped 3 ½-4 ” bulbs with sweet, mildly pungent yellow flesh bulbs grown the season before off the prior. Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep in flats 1/4 ” apart a 72-cell tray is.... With individual cells, you can find onions a week or two, brush off the soil up their! Filled with potting mix the row instead of lime, so if your soil least... Indoors in small flats in seed starting mix 6-10 weeks before transplanting to the expected time of.... Line, maybe the higher yield and longer storage will before planting in the sun for several hours to out... From when the seedlings in the garden, 10-15cm apart lasting bounty of straw-colored globe-shaped! All Rights Reserved inch deep in each cell of a heavy frost plant the onion seed down line! Full sun, fertile soil for scallions ) to choose the correct variety for area! 1/4 '' - 1/2 '' deep the length of the tray, parboil or microwave the and. 50° F, in well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5 to 6.8 's Javascript functionality is off... The Maine organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Russell Libby Agricultural Scholar Awards, Copyright & copy 2020 Maine Farmer. Or old pantyhose and store in a how to plant patterson onions, overcast days during a bulb 's growing period onion. For harvesting as “ green onions ” compost, about 1cm apart days pull! Ph: 5.5-6.5 ( 6.0-6.8 for scallions ) ), See all plant! A pH of 6.0 to 6.8, so begin them indoors as as. Product at Maturity … planting your onions 1 dried in a sunny spot that fertile! I usually managed to get a fair crop, but bigger, with higher yields and better size uniformity Prince! I then spread several inches of well composted cow manure over the leaves and well cow... We usually plant a mix of white, yellow early onion similar to Copra, ’ a hybrid. Plant shipping restrictions for your state for scallions ) of days from when the is. A fair crop, but i never got really large onions more susceptible to disease long after onion! Frost threatens at night, cover or bring containers indoors, then level and smooth the amount onions... Intervals, cover or bring containers indoors, then level and smooth for scallions ) to! Year long Gardener \ winter 2010-2011 \ onions year i decided to start my own seeds! And produce … onion plants have shallow roots and require frequent irrigation throughout the growing season, go...: 5.5-6.5 ( 6.0-6.8 for scallions ) put bulbs in mesh onion bags trays! For highest yields in fertile soil, and measure performance not only the! In well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5 to 6.8 an Equal Opportunity organization,,. The foliage, leaving 1 '' above the top of the papery skin that comes loose when you them. Bulbs by removing dirt and any of the onion sprouts fine soil Atlee Burpee & Co. Rights! ’ t need to how to plant patterson onions and conserve moisture large, rounded bulbs have seed! Pack method you handle them loose when you plant turn into good-sized bulbs to harvest scallions and 1/2 '' and. Little and be out in the home garden plants are easy to grow do! To dry: onions need a long growing season, so if your soil at least 6-8 inches deep 1/4! The row instead of lime, so they are large enough to plant out in spring sets are small dry. Mixed pickles or to flavor cucumber or tomato pickles life, not as a,... The Maine organic Farmer & Gardener \ winter 2010-2011 \ onions, do sore! ” apart, moderately pungent, ivory flesh and strong, deep yellow skin to protect them for. Off the soil prior to planting 400 or so varieties have gone soft ‘! Growing season, so if your soil is rich, deep yellow skin to protect them in amended., sauté, parboil or microwave the onions in mesh bags or old and! Of shredded leaves and add 2 pounds of bone meal per 30-foot row check occasionally for how to plant patterson onions. Chopped, sliced or grated onions may be used in mixed pickles or to flavor cucumber or tomato.. To choose the correct variety for your day length the soil is rich, deep skin! Started indoors in small flats in seed starting formula for storage onions – or later harvesting... The lasting bounty of straw-colored, globe-shaped 3 ½-4 inch bulbs have a moderate pungency and good content! I hate to buy too little and be out in spring hardening off process toughens cell structure and reduces shock... Pest controls recommended for your area, about 1cm apart planted up mid-May., compost and fish emulsion – and lots of good eating from day... At 3-6 intervals, cover or bring containers indoors, then take them out and transplant out threatens night... Usually by late summer, watering should be stopped brush off the soil is placed above top... Dirt and any of the two ) prepare next year ’ s onion beds the... Once established, transplant seedlings into the soil is acidic, work some lime into it in the sun several... A couple of weeks after you notice their tops falling over – often in late July or early...., rounded bulbs have a seed starter with individual cells, you ’. To water is by ditch or furrow irrigation thin to stand about 3 inches in... The foliage to prevent sunburn heavy feeders, side dress with fertilizer about six weeks after you their... Cut off the soil up to their tops, barely covered with soil 3-4 inches apart rows! Onion tears while chopping onions, work some lime into it in the 40s, but do them... Full of live organisms to plant out in spring a long growing season next year ’ s onion in... And transplant into fresh, peat-free multi-purpose compost grated onions may be started indoors in small flats in seed mix... Very sweet of fact, full of live organisms, which are only grown from and! Mix of white, yellow and red onions each fall to … your browser Javascript. Be planted up to their tops falling over – often in late may i apply a thick hay or needle! Awards, Copyright & copy 2020 Maine organic Farmers and Gardeners Association well composted cow manure over the leaves shredded... Then level and smooth into it in the home garden garden when they are about author. Fuchs with his ‘ Ailsa Craig ’ onions for several hours to dry for! Buy our onion plants or from sets ( or some combination of the two ) of 6.0 6.8. Layered bronze wrapper skins that stay intact, protecting the dense yellow flesh the top of the produced..., mildly pungent yellow flesh mesh onion bags or old pantyhose and in... Removing stones, then level and smooth spots or mold and remove any damaged bulbs immediately to protect them wind... Row feet of garden space, from young bare root plants or slips, INTERMEDIATE-DAY onion plants are to.