For gardeners seeking a sweet, juicy onion with mild flavor, Walla Walla sweet onion seeds deliver exceptional results. These seeds produce some of the largest, sweetest onions available – a treat for any recipe calling for fresh onions. In this article, we’ll explore the history, growing tips, and culinary uses for this delicious vegetable.
A Brief History of Walla Walla Onions
The Walla Walla sweet onion traces its roots back to the late 19th century in Walla Walla Washington. A French soldier named Peter Pieri brought onion seed from the island of Corsica to the Walla Walla valley. He shared the seeds with a farmer named I.B. Perkins who refined the strain on his family farm.
By the early 1900s, the Walla Walla sweet had become renowned for its juicy texture and sweet, mild taste. The onion variety earned the nickname “the onion that makes grown men cry” – from joy at their delicious flavor Commercial production took off in the 1920s, cementing the Walla Walla’s status as a premium onion
In 2007, the Walla Walla sweet onion became Washington state’s official vegetable. Today, it enjoys protected geographical indication status in the European Union. The Walla Walla name can only appear on onions grown in the Walla Walla valley region.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Walla Walla Onions
Walla Walla sweet onions require full sun and fertile, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0. Sandy loam soils work particularly well. There are two main planting methods:
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Spring planting Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Transplant seedlings 4 inches apart in rows 12-18 inches apart after danger of frost has passed
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Fall planting: Sow seeds in mid to late summer. The onions require a period of cold winter weather below 10°F to properly bulb and sweeten. This method produces larger, sweeter onions.
Proper irrigation is critical – about 1 inch of water per week. Stop watering in early fall several weeks before harvest so bulbs can cure in dry soil.
Harvesting and Storing Walla Walla Sweet Onions
Walla Walla onions reach maturity about 125 days after spring planting or 300 days after fall planting. When about half of the tops start to fall over, it’s time to harvest.
Gently lift bulbs and allow them to cure for 1-2 weeks. Spread onions in a single layer in a warm, dry, shaded spot. Once all foliage is dried up, stems are shriveled, and outer skins are papery, they are properly cured.
Store cured bulbs in a cool (32-40°F), dry location with good air circulation. Walla Wallas do not have a long storage life – just 2-4 months under ideal conditions. Their ultra-sweet flavor is best enjoyed fresh.
Enjoying Walla Wallas in the Kitchen
Walla Walla’s sweet, juicy nature makes them ideal for:
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Caramelizing into sweet, golden onion rings
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Grilling or roasting whole bulbs
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Serving raw in salads, salsas, and onion dip
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Cooking down into French onion soup or onion jam
Their mild flavor allows Walla Wallas to shine without overpowering other ingredients. They pair excellently with eggs, tomatoes, avocados, cheese, and as a topping for burgers or flatbreads.
When cooking, take care not to overbrown Walla Walla rings or slices. Their low sulfur content predisposes them to quicker caramelization.
The Sweet Choice for Onion Lovers
For gardeners interested in growing giant, sweet onions, it’s hard to beat Walla Walla onion seeds. Their legendary sweetness and juicy crunch make them a joy to eat fresh or cooked. With a long history and protected origins, the Walla Walla onion remains a uniquely American vegetable variety perfect for gardens across North America.
Can You Dig It?
At West Coast Seeds we believe in the power of small and that little can be large. Like the tiniest seed germinates to evoke incremental change with massive potential, so to can our community of gardeners and growers together. Gardeners are the earth’s stewards, planting seeds of creative declaration. The soil provides the canvas, we provide the seeds.
All About Walla Walla
Latin
Latin Allium cepa Family: Amaryllidaceae
Difficulty
Difficulty Scallions are easy to grow. Bulbing onions and shallots require transplanting in the spring and curing after harvest. By following these instructions, even novice gardeners should have no trouble.
Timing
Timing Start shallots and storage onions indoors in late winter and early spring, and transplant 2-4 weeks after the last frost date. Overwintering onions need to be started in early summer, and transplanted by the middle of August. Scallions can be direct sown every 3 weeks from two weeks after the last frost date to late summer. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 21-25°C (70-75°F). Seeds will emerge in 6-12 days, depending on conditions.
Starting
Starting Transplants are preferred for home gardeners. Sow 3 seeds 5mm-1cm (¼-½”) deep in each cell of a 72-cell tray. Transplant as a clump, spacing each 15cm (6″) apart in rows 45-75cm (18-30″) apart. Scallions can be spaced at 2-5cm (1-2″) apart in rows 15cm (6″) apart.
Days to Maturity
Days to Maturity: From transplant date.
Growing
Growing Ideal pH: 5.5-6.5 (6.0-6.8 for scallions). Fertile and well-drained soil in full sun is essential. Add well-rotted compost and dig ½-1 cup balanced organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each 3m (10′) of row. Keep moisture high in the top 20-30cm (8-12″) of soil. Most of the bulb should form on the surface of the soil, so don’t transplant too deeply. Bulb size is dependent on the size of the tops: the bigger the tops, the bigger the bulb. Provide August-planted scallions with the frost protection of a cloche or heavy row cover as the first frost date approaches.
Harvest
Harvest Stop watering in the beginning of August to mature the bulbs in dry soil. After half the tops have fallen, push over the remainder, wait a week and lift the bulbs. Curing is essential for long storage: Spread bulbs out in a single layer in an airy spot out of direct sunlight. Once no more green is visible on any of the leaves, and they are dry and crisp, the onion is cured. If weather is poor, cure indoors. Storage: Keep onions in mesh sacks or hang in braids so they get good ventilation, and hang sacks where air is dry and very cool, but not freezing. Check them regularly and remove any sprouting or rotting onions. Well-cured storage onions should keep until late spring.
Seed Info
Seed Info In optimal conditions at least 75% of seeds should germinate. Usual seed life: 1 year. Per 100′ row: 260 seeds (scallions 1.2M), per acre: 76M seeds (scallions 1,045M).
Diseases & Pests
Diseases & Pests Botrytis blast and downy mildew are common leaf diseases. One starts with white spots and streaks, the other with purple-grey areas on leaves. Leaves wither from the top down and plants die prematurely. Separate the overwintered and spring crops because disease starts in older plants and moves to younger. Avoid overhead watering and plant in open sunny locations. Use lots of compost and practice strict sanitation and crop rotation.
Companion Planting
Companion Planting
The pungent odour of onions repels many pests and also protects nearby garden vegetables. Plant chamomile and summer savory near onions to improve their flavour. Onions also work well alongside beets, Brassicas, carrots, dill, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, strawberries and tomatoes. Don’t plant onions near asparagus, or peas of any kind.
More on Companion Planting.
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Walla Walla Onion Seeds
FAQ
When to start Walla Walla onion seeds?
Start seeds 5-8 weeks before the last frost and plant out when the threat of frost is gone.
Are walla walla onions the same as sweet onions?
Sweet Onion (Vidalia, Walla Walla, Bermuda, Maui)
Their sweet flavor makes them more appealing to people who fear the stronger, more pungent onions, but it would be a shame to waste them in dishes where their sweetness would be masked, and they wouldn’t add much.
How long does it take to grow walla walla sweet onions?
Walla Walla Onion Features:
This is a long day onion variety that produces colossal sweet onions in just 90 days from transplanting. Because it matures faster than other varieties, it can also be grown in the intermediate day onion growing portion of the country.
When can you buy walla walla sweet onions?
You can purchase creamy, yellow Walla Walla Sweets from mid-June through July (some of our shippers have product available through August). Look for a round shape, elongated neck, and dry, paper-thin skin.
What is Walla Walla sweet onion?
The Walla Walla sweet onion is named for Walla Walla County, Washington, where it is grown. Its development began around 1900 when Peter Pieri, a French soldier who settled in the area, brought sweet onion seed from the island of Corsica with him to the Walla Walla Valley.
What are Walla Walla onion seeds?
Water freely during dry weather. Walla Walla onion seeds are sweet growing onions with less bite and no tears. Available at Suttons, this is a great in dishes without hot or pungent aromatics.
How do you grow Walla Walla onion seeds?
Can also be sown late December-February 3 seeds per small pot in a propagator or greenhouse at approximately 15-20°C (60-68°F) eventually planting outside in well-prepared soil. Water freely during dry weather. Walla Walla onion seeds are sweet growing onions with less bite and no tears.
Are Walla Walla sweet onions good for long term storage?
Very sweet large bulbs, not for long-term storage. In 2007, the Walla Walla sweet onion was designated as the official vegetable of the state of Washington and was named after the town of Walla Walla, WA. Originally from the island of Corsica, it was brought to Washington by a retired French solider named Peter Pieri.
When can I buy Walla Walla sweet onions?
You can purchase creamy, yellow Walla Walla Sweets from mid-June through July (some of our shippers have product available through August). Look for a round shape, elongated neck, and dry, paper-thin skin. Because they have a higher water content than most onions, Walla Walla Sweet Onions have a shorter shelf life.
Do Walla Walla sweet onions hibernate?
The Walla Walla Sweet Onion is an open-pollinated variety of sweet onion which is planted in September and hand-harvested the following summer. The sweet onion hibernates in the winter and restarts growth in early spring. Growers harvest only the finest bulbs each year and preserve them to produce seed for the following year.