2013catalog

Onion
(Allium cepa) 300+ seeds per packet. A very
ancient Old World crop—records exist telling
how many onions were allocated to the laborers
building the pyramids, and they were a basic
ration to Greek hoplites. Long-day onions tend
to do best in the North and short-day types do
best in the South; the dividing line is at about the
35th parallel. Onions grow best in mellow soil,
rich and possessing much organic matter. The tiny
seeds are usually started indoors, although they
may be direct sown if conditions and timing are
suitable. Spring-planted onions are started about
9-12 weeks prior to setting out, which may be
several weeks before the last frost date. When
setting onion plants in their final location, allow
about 6-8 inches from their neighbors, if in beds;
or 4 inches if in rows, spacing rows at least a foot
apart. Apply a heavy mulch to control weeds, as
onions will not grow large in competition with
weeds. Harvest onions when the green tops begin
to fall over; cure several weeks and store at cool
room temperature.
AILSA CRAIG #ON122
Long day. Very well-known globe-shaped heirloom onion that
reaches really huge size—5 lbs is rather common! The skin is
a pale yellow and the flesh is relatively mild and sweet, so is
recommended for fresh use—not a storage type. Introduced
in 1887 by David Murray, gardener for the Marquis of Ailsa, at
Culzean Castle in Maybole, South Ayrshire, Scotland. Pkt $2.50
AUSTRALIAN BROWN #ON101
Intermediate day. Introduced in 1897 by W. Atlee Burpee.
This variety produces extra fine large bulbs that have
superb flavor! The yellow-brown roots are a standard on our
farm for their sureness to produce quality. Pkt $2.50
BIANCA DI MAGGIO #ON106
Long day, 80-110 days. Flat, Italian “cipollini” variety. These
delicious, small white onions command a high price at
specialty markets. Very sweet and mild; used in Italy for
pickling, grilling, and in salads. We have select Italian seed.
Pkt $2.50 or 1 oz $8.00
BRONZE D’AMPOSTA #ON115
Intermediate day. Attractive reddish-bronze onions are
good-sized and sweet. A great variety for fresh eating,
as it is not too hot tasting. A decent keeper in storage
and a good overall red type. Named for the small city of
Amposta, Spain. Pkt $2.00
BRUNSWICK #ON120
Long-day type. First offered in 1870, Brunswick is a deep
red-to-purple flattened type. Usually very mild and sweet,
it nevertheless stores very well. Pkt $2.25
CRIMSON FOREST-BUNCHING #ON110
(Allium fistulosum) Beautiful, brilliant red stalks, flavorful
and tasty. Very unique and colorful, a bulbing type. Pkt (250
seeds) $2.00 or 1 oz $9.00
FLAT OF ITALY #ON104
Intermediate day. Beautiful red “cipollini”-type, flat
gourmet onions from Italy. They are bright red in color
and very flat, perfect for fresh eating or cooking. This is a
very old Italian variety that was mentioned by Vilmorin in
1885. A good choice for fresh market. Early. Pkt $2.50
GOLD PRINCESS #ON113
Intermediate day. A medium-sized, light yellow, flattened
“cipollini”-type onion that is so popular with gardeners and
chefs. This Italian variety matures extra early. Pkt $2.50
HE SHI KO-BUNCHING #ON111
(Allium fistulosum) An heirloom Japanese, perennial bunching
onion. Stalks grow and divide from the base. Mild and tasty.
These are an essential ingredient in both Oriental and American
foods. A non-bulbing white type. Pkt $1.50 or 1 oz $6.50
ISHIKURA #ON125 New!
(Allium fistulosum) Popular and traditional Japanese
variety for sukiyaki, soup and salads. Reaches enormous
proportions (to 2½ feet tall, one inch across) while
remaining tender and scallion-like. Never forms a bulb.
Earth-up as for leeks to produce long white shanks. Very
nice variety that we are excited to offer! Pkt $2.50
JAUNE PAILLE DES VERTUS #ON114
Long day. Introduced about 1793, this old variety is now hard
to find. It is also called Brown Spanish by French seed house
Vilmorin; in 1885 they said, “The winter supply of Paris and
of a great part of Europe consists chiefly of this variety, which
may be often seen hanging up in dwelling-houses in long
hanks formed by interlacing and plaiting the withered leaves
together.” The roots are flattened and 3”-4” across, the skin
is a brownish yellow and the flesh is flavorful. This antique
is known for its keeping qualities that made it a standard in
Europe for over 200 years. Pkt $2.50 or 1 oz $12.00
NOORDHOLLANDSE BLOEDRODE #ON119
(Dutch Red) Long day. The name translates as North Holland
Blood Red, and these beauties are indeed a lovely, shiny oxblood
red. Large, slightly flattened onions are very pungent,
which makes them good keepers in spite of their rather thick
neck. They can also be grown for scallions, as they often are in
Holland. A good variety for Northern gardeners. Pkt $2.50
RED CREOLE #ON112
Short day. This onion is great for the South and is a good
keeper. Hard, flat bulbs have spicy, red flesh. A good
cooking onion or in salads. Pkt $2.50
RED OF FLORENCE #ON103
Long day. Oblong-shaped, bright red onions, great for
planting spring or fall, seem to do well in many areas. They
are very mild and sweet, great for salads and pickling! A
delicious Italian heirloom. Very rare. Pkt $2.50 or 1 oz $7.50
RED WELSH #ON118
(Allium fistulosum) Super-hardy bunching onion that
originated in northern China or Siberia, despite its name.
Grown for its thick green stems and hollow leaves which
possess a sharp onion flavor. This perennial never forms a
bulb in the garden; once established, new plants can be
raised by replanting the abundant side-shoots. May be
blanched like leeks by earthing up the thick stems as the
plants grow. Widely employed in the cuisines of Japan,
Taiwan, and China. This crop is also grown among the
Welsh, hence its name. Easy to grow and productive once
established. Pkt $2.00
SOUTHPORT RED GLOBE #ON124 New!
Long day, 120 days. First released in 1873, and still one of
the best. Firm fleshed, medium sized, globe-shaped, deep
red roots are one of the best keepers of any red onion.
Carries some resistance to fusarium rot. Truly a top-notch
producer for the North! Pkt $2.50
SOUTHPORT WHITE GLOBE #ON126 New!
AKA ”Silver Ball” and “White Rocca.” A long day onion for
the Northern States. This onion has a handsome globeshaped
bulb. It grows to a large size with pure white skin
and flesh of mild flavor. Seedsman Thomas Griswold once
wrote that this was the “best white onion for market,” and
Southport is still one of the best white keepers available
today. This Connecticut heirloom was named after the town
of Southport and grown along Connecticut’s Mill River.
Onions were exported by the millions from this agricultural
epicenter also known as the “Onion Capital.” The Civil War
increased the demand all the more because pickled onions
were used to keep scurvy at bay. May be used to produce
scallions, requiring only about 65 days. Pkt $2.25
Tokyo Long White
STUTTGARTER #ON116
Long day. A tasty old favorite that sets medium-large,
yellow onions with a good, pungent flavor. This variety is
among the best keepers and produces well. Plant some of
these for winter eating and store them clear through to
next spring. Pkt $2.25
TOKYO LONG WHITE-BUNCHING #ON109
(Allium fistulosum) An old-favorite Japanese bunching-type,
looks like a long slender leek. Sweet and mild flavor, tasty.
Pkt (400 seeds) $1.50
TROPEANA LUNGA #ON108
Intermediate day. Long, tall bulbs are unique and popular
with Mediterranean chefs. Harvest this gorgeous onion in
mid-summer for your own delight, or sell this winner for top
prices at market. They are a lovely shade of red. This heirloom
from Tropea is rare in America. Pkt $2.50 or 1 oz $8.00
VIOLET DE GALMI #ON117 New!
The Galmi onion comes from the village of Galmi, a small
community in the Ader Valley of Southeast Niger. It is
here where this flavorful onion was developed and is
believed to have been grown for over 100 years, selected
and passed down. It is now a popular onion in several
other African countries, as well. Flat, thick bulbs are of
good quality and are a beautiful pinkish-purple color; it
also keeps well, making it a perfect choice as a short day
onion. Pkt. $2.50
WETHERSFIELD RED #ON127
Long day. This variety dates to the 1700’s. Popular from
New York to Bermuda and it brought much wealth to the
onion growers of the New England, as well as to the Yankee
traders who sold ship-loads of it. The 1856 Comstock-Ferre
catalog states, “It is the kind mostly grown at Wethersfield.
It grows to large size, deep red, thick, approaching to
round shape, fine-grained, pleasant flavored, and very
productive. It ripens in September, and keeps well.” It is
a slightly flattened, deep blood-red onion of renowned
quality. A true piece of horticultural Americana that
deserves to be more widely grown. Pkt $2.25
YELLOW FLAT DUTCH #ON121
Long day. An onion by this name was offered in 1888 by
RH Allen Seed Company, who wrote: “A good variety; mild
flavored; large, and keeps well.” This is a long day type
that is fine for kitchen use. We offer imported Dutch seed.
Pkt $2.25
YELLOW OF PARMA #ON105
Long day. Large, golden onions are oblong globe-shaped.
This late onion makes an excellent keeper; a rare and
hard-to-find Italian variety. Pkt $2.50 or 1 oz $7.00