Overview

Bring the joy of homegrown produce to your kitchen with our premium red onion sets. These high-quality, non-gmo onion sets are ideal for any gardener looking to cultivate delicious red onions. Onion sets are small, immature onion bulbs grown from seed the previous year, making them an excellent choice for a head start on your onion crop. They are generally easier to grow and more resistant to disease than direct-sown seeds, offering a quicker path to harvest. Our heirloom onion bulbs are carefully selected for their vigor and ability to produce robust, flavorful red onions. Whether you are an experienced gardener or just starting, these sets provide a reliable and rewarding planting experience, yielding beautiful and tasty bulbs for all your culinary needs.

Growing your own onions provides a satisfying experience and ensures you have fresh, healthy ingredients readily available. These red onion sets are known for their vibrant color, pungent flavor, and versatility in cooking. From salads and sandwiches to stews and roasts, homegrown red onions elevate any dish. They are also an excellent choice for those interested in sustainable gardening practices and preserving heirloom varieties. Plant these sets in spring, summer, or fall, depending on your local climate and desired harvest time, and enjoy the simplicity and rewards of growing red onions.

Key Benefits

Our red onion sets offer numerous advantages for gardeners and home cooks alike:

• Exceptional Flavor and Quality: These heirloom red onions are celebrated for their rich, slightly spicy flavor and crisp texture, making them superior to many store-bought varieties. Enjoy the satisfaction of truly fresh produce from your own garden.

• Non-GMO Assurance: We are committed to providing natural and healthy options for your garden. These non-gmo onion sets ensure you are growing produce free from genetic modification, aligning with organic and natural gardening principles.

• Cold Hardy and Resilient: These onion sets are naturally cold-hardy, allowing for successful planting in various climates and extending your growing season. Their resilience makes them a dependable choice for consistent yields.

• Long Shelf Life: After harvesting, these red onions boast an excellent shelf life, allowing you to store and enjoy your bounty for an extended period. Proper curing ensures they remain fresh and flavorful for months.

• Versatile Culinary Use: The distinct taste and vibrant color of these red onions make them incredibly versatile in the kitchen. They are perfect for raw salads, grilling, pickling, and adding depth to countless cooked dishes.

• Ease of Planting: Planting heirloom onion bulbs is straightforward and rewarding. Sets offer a significant head start over seeds, reducing the time to harvest and increasing success rates, especially for beginner gardeners.

• Supports Small Growers: By choosing these onion sets, you are supporting small, dedicated US growers who prioritize quality and sustainable practices, contributing to local agriculture.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Successful cultivation of your red onion sets depends on proper planting and ongoing care. Onions thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Choose a location in your garden that receives abundant light throughout the growing season. The soil should be well-draining, loose, and rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is ideal. Before planting, amend heavy clay soils with compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage and fertility. For sandy soils, adding organic matter will help retain moisture and nutrients. Ensure the planting bed is free of weeds, as onions do not compete well with them.

Plant your heirloom onion bulbs about 1 inch deep and 4-6 inches apart in rows that are 12-18 inches apart. The pointy end of the set should face upwards. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around the sets. Consistent moisture is crucial, especially during dry spells, but avoid overwatering, which can lead to rot. Aim for about one inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation. Fertilize every few weeks with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer, or one slightly higher in nitrogen, until the bulbs begin to swell. Stop fertilizing once the bulbs start to mature to encourage proper curing.

Onions are generally cold hardy and can withstand light frosts, making them suitable for planting in early spring, late summer, or fall in many regions. Monitor for common pests like onion thrips and diseases such as downy mildew, addressing them promptly with organic solutions if possible. When the tops of the onions begin to yellow and fall over, typically in mid-to-late summer, they are ready for harvest. Allow the tops to dry completely in the sun for several days before clipping them and storing the cured onions in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Properly cured and stored, your growing red onions will last for many months.

Size & Details

These red onion sets are offered in various quantities and grades to suit your gardening needs. We provide Grade #1 (smaller sets) and Grade #2 (larger sets), both of which are excellent for producing robust red onions. The Grade #1 sets, while smaller, typically yield a higher number of individual bulbs per ounce, making them a cost-effective option for larger plantings. For example, a 6 oz pack contains approximately 50 bulbs, while a 48 oz pack provides around 400 bulbs. Grade #2 sets are larger, resulting in fewer bulbs per ounce but often leading to quicker establishment and potentially larger individual onions. A 6 oz pack of Grade #2 sets contains approximately 27 bulbs, with a 48 oz pack offering about 216 bulbs.

All counts are approximate and determined by weight, ensuring you receive a consistent quantity of quality onion sets. These sets are shipped as dormant bulbs, ready for planting upon arrival. Depending on your chosen quantity, you will receive a bulk amount of these fresh, non-GMO onion bulbs. Expected maturity for onions grown from sets is typically 90-120 days after planting, depending on growing conditions and variety. These heirloom onion bulbs are selected for their excellent growth potential and the ability to produce delicious, long-storing red onions for your kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: What are the best conditions for planting these red onion sets? A: For optimal growth, plant your red onion sets in a location that receives full sun (at least 6-8 hours daily) with well-draining, fertile soil. A soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is ideal for healthy development of heirloom onion bulbs.

• Q: Are these onion sets easy to grow for beginners? A: Yes, growing red onions from sets is often recommended for beginners because they are generally more forgiving and have a higher success rate compared to starting from seeds. They establish quickly and are less susceptible to early season challenges.

• Q: How far apart should I plant the onion sets? A: Plant each onion set approximately 4-6 inches apart in rows, with 12-18 inches between rows. This spacing allows for adequate air circulation and bulb development, leading to larger, healthier onions.

• Q: When is the best time to plant these red onion sets? A: These versatile red onion sets can be planted in spring (after the last frost), late summer, or fall. Spring planting typically yields onions for summer harvest, while fall planting in milder climates can result in earlier harvests the following spring.

• Q: How much water do red onions need? A: Onions require consistent moisture, especially during their growth period. Aim for about one inch of water per week, either through rainfall or irrigation. Ensure the soil is moist but not waterlogged to prevent rot.

• Q: Can I grow these non-gmo onion sets in containers? A: Yes, non-gmo onion sets can be successfully grown in containers, provided the container is wide enough and deep enough (at least 6-8 inches deep) to accommodate bulb development. Ensure good drainage and use a high-quality potting mix.

• Q: What is the difference between Grade #1 and Grade #2 sets? A: Grade #1 sets are smaller bulbs, typically yielding more individual onions per weight, while Grade #2 sets are larger bulbs, which can establish quicker and often produce larger individual onions, though fewer per weight.

• Q: How long does it take for red onions to mature from sets? A: Onions grown from sets typically mature in about 90-120 days after planting. You’ll know they are ready for harvest when the tops begin to yellow and fall over naturally.

• Q: Are these red onion sets suitable for overwintering? A: In USDA Zones with milder winters (typically Zone 6 and above), these cold-hardy red onion sets can be planted in the fall for overwintering and an early spring harvest. In colder zones, spring planting is recommended.

• Q: How should I store the harvested red onions for a long shelf life? A: After harvesting, cure the onions by allowing them to dry in the sun for several days until the necks are dry and the outer skins are papery. Then, store them in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, such as a mesh bag or braided string, for extended freshness.