Overview

Embark on a rewarding gardening journey with our premium red onion sets. The Southern Belle variety offers a delightful experience for both novice and experienced gardeners, promising a bountiful harvest of large, flat-shaped, sweet red onions. Unlike dried bulbs, these are small, live plants ready to establish quickly in your garden. Known for their vibrant red outer wrapper and excellent tasting sweet flesh, these heirloom onion bulbs are a fantastic addition to any vegetable patch. They are non-GMO, ensuring a natural and wholesome crop for your culinary endeavors. Whether you’re a seasoned grower or just starting, these Southern Belle onion sets provide a reliable and flavorful option for growing your own produce.

Our heirloom onion bulbs are carefully selected to give you the best start to your onion crop. Each bunch typically contains 40-70 individual plants, offering great value and the potential for a significant yield. These sweet red onions are perfect for a variety of dishes, from fresh salads to grilled entrees. Experience the satisfaction of harvesting your own fresh, flavorful onions that are bursting with natural sweetness.

Key Benefits

Growing your own red onion sets comes with numerous advantages, from superior taste to the joy of homegrown produce. Our Southern Belle variety stands out for its exceptional qualities:

• Superior Flavor and Sweetness: These onions are renowned for their excellent tasting sweet flesh, making them a delicious addition to any meal. Enjoy a milder flavor compared to sharper white or yellow varieties.
• Generous Yield: With 40-70 plants per bunch, you can expect a substantial harvest from a single purchase, providing plenty of fresh onions for your kitchen. This makes it economical to grow red onions at home.
• Heirloom Quality & Non-GMO: Cultivate with confidence knowing you’re planting non-GMO, heirloom onion sets that preserve traditional characteristics and robust growth.
• Versatile Culinary Use: The large, flat-shaped sweet red onions are ideal for slicing, dicing, grilling, or caramelizing, enhancing a wide range of recipes with their vibrant color and flavor.
• Freshness Guaranteed: Harvesting your own ensures the freshest possible onions, picked at their peak of ripeness for optimal taste and nutritional value.
• Easy to Grow: These onion sets are small plants, not dried bulbs, which simplifies the planting process and helps them establish quickly in your garden. Perfect for those looking to planting onion sets with ease.
• Garden-to-Table Experience: Enjoy the satisfaction and health benefits of growing your own food, connecting you closer to nature and providing fresh, organic produce.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

To successfully grow red onions from our Southern Belle sets, understanding their basic care requirements is key. These plants thrive in well-draining soil and prefer a location that receives ample sunlight. Aim for at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Prepare your garden bed by loosening the soil to a depth of about 6 inches and incorporating some organic matter, like compost, to improve fertility and drainage. The ideal soil pH for onions is between 6.0 and 7.0. When planting, create shallow furrows about 1 inch deep and space the onion sets 4-6 inches apart in rows that are 12-18 inches apart. Gently press the sets into the soil so that just the tips are visible.

Watering is crucial, especially during dry spells. Onions need consistent moisture, but avoid overwatering, which can lead to rot. The soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged. Fertilize your red onion sets with a balanced fertilizer about a month after planting, and again a month later. Look for a fertilizer that is higher in nitrogen to encourage lush green growth. Keep the area around your onion plants free of weeds, as weeds compete for nutrients and water. Mulching can help suppress weeds and retain soil moisture. These heirloom onion bulbs are typically planted in late winter or early spring, depending on your climate, for a summer harvest. Monitor for common pests like onion thrips or diseases such as downy mildew, and address them promptly with organic solutions if possible.

Size & Details

Our Southern Belle red onion sets are provided as small, live plants, not dormant dried bulbs, which aids in quicker establishment and growth. Each order includes a generous bunch typically containing between 40 to 70 individual onion plants, offering excellent value for your garden. These sets are ideal for planting in late winter or early spring, allowing for a harvest of mature onions in late summer or early fall. The mature onions are known for their large, flat shape, making them easy to slice and use in various culinary applications. They feature a striking red outer wrapper and exceptionally sweet, flavorful inner flesh. These planting onion sets will mature into full-sized onions, ready for harvesting when their tops begin to yellow and fall over.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big do these red onion sets get when mature? A: The Southern Belle variety typically produces large, flat-shaped onions. The exact size can vary depending on growing conditions, but they are known for their substantial size and sweet flavor.
• Q: Are these suitable for both winter and spring planting? A: Yes, these red onion sets are versatile and can be planted in both late winter and early spring, depending on your local climate and last frost dates. Planting guides often provide specific regional recommendations.
• Q: How much sunlight do these heirloom onion bulbs need? A: For optimal growth and a good harvest, these onions require full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Ensure they are planted in an area with good sun exposure.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for, especially for beginners? A: Yes, planting onion sets is generally considered an easy and rewarding gardening activity, making them suitable for beginners. Providing well-draining soil, adequate sunlight, and consistent moisture are the main requirements.
• Q: What condition will the onion sets arrive in? A: These are shipped as small, live plants (sets), not dried bulbs. They will arrive ready for planting, though it’s always good practice to plant them as soon as possible after arrival.
• Q: When is the best time to plant these Southern Belle onion sets? A: The best time for planting onion sets is typically in late winter or early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked and the threat of severe frost has passed. This allows them a long growing season to develop large bulbs.
• Q: Can I grow these sweet red onions in containers? A: While typically grown in garden beds, you can grow these heirloom onion bulbs in large, deep containers. Ensure the containers have excellent drainage and provide enough space for the bulbs to develop, ideally at least 6-8 inches deep and wide per plant.
• Q: Are these onions non-GMO? A: Yes, our Southern Belle red onion sets are guaranteed non-GMO, providing you with a natural and traditional growing experience.
• Q: How many plants can I expect from one bunch of onion sets? A: Each bunch of Southern Belle onion sets typically contains between 40 to 70 individual plants, providing a generous quantity for your garden.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for growing red onions? A: These onions prefer well-draining, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Amending the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting is highly recommended for healthy growth.