This year I will be growing two varieties of onions.
Red Wethersfield {Seed Savers}
Listed as Large Red in 1834 by Hovey & Co. of Boston; the name Wethersfield was first ascribed to this onion around 1852 by the American Seed Garden of Wethersfield, Connecticut. Large flattened globes with purple-red skin. Mildly pungent flesh with red concentric circles. Best used for salads and garnishes, not for extended storage. Long-day type. 100 days from transplant.
Walla Walla Sweet Onions {Ed Hume}
One of the sweetest of globe type onions. Large in size they are ideal for slicing, cooking, frying, salads, soups and stews. Although they do not keep for a long storage period, they are hardy in growth and mild in taste. Award winning for sweetness nationwide. Approximately 110 days to maturity.
I grew up eating Walla Walla Sweets. My grandmother’s brother farmed onions and peppers in the town of Walla Walla, Washington and each year my grandparents would drive out to visit him and come home with a truckload of produce. I remember the onions were a source of great pride for her and we were always reminded where they came from. My grandmother kept the onions in unheated room down in the basement. I remember there was a hand painted sign on the door that read “Root Cellar.” The room was filled with cobweb covered canning jars filled with outdated food, wooden boxes and newspapers. It smelled old and damp and I don’t remember there ever being a light in the room.
It’s funny what we remember from our childhoods. When I think of onions, I always remember the Walla Walla Sweets. They are, in my opinion the best onion out there.
*I’m growing the red onions for salsa.
Lynn says
I grow Walla Walla’s every year…a must for Washingtonians I think. However, I have never started them from seed; I always buy starts from my local coop. I think I will try growing from seed this weekend as well. How many seeds do you put in each of the pellets? Thanks so much for your gardening information. I am pretty new to gardening so I really appreciate all the knowledge I can glean from others. Have a good weekend.
Mavis says
I’m a bit freaky and I put 3-5 seeds in each pellet. Blame it on the OCD but I want to make sure they germinate. 🙂
Desi says
I think that is just insuring that you don’t have to replant. You can always pinch one out but who wants to start over again.
Mavis says
I try to start to harden them off around April 15th and and usually have them in the ground by the 2nd weekend in May.
Desi says
I grew walla’s last year for the first time. LOVED THEM! I grow others that I can keep in my storage room over the winter but those are my favorites for flavor.
Mavis says
What do you grow for winter onions?
Desi says
Just your regular old white and yellow onion. They last a long time in our cold basement. I think the comment about freezing onions is genious. I am going to dry the rest of mine from last year and try that.
Jules says
Love the Walla Wallas. It’s also just fun to say over and over.
My cousin farms onions and we get the ‘extras’. This past year I Cut a bunch of them while fresh, stuck them in freezer bags and then I can just pull them out as needed throughout the year.
Mavis says
Jules, ahhhh I did not think to chop and freeze them. I love you! Thanks!
Heather says
Just double bag them as they can get a tad “stinky” 🙂 (I found out the hard way and everything smelled like my onions!)
Mavis says
Good thinking.