Onion Seeds,
Yellow of Parma

Start seeds indoors about three months before the last spring frost date. This long-day onion variety is ideal for northern regions with long summer days. Transplant seedlings outdoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost, as they grow best in cool conditions of around 60 F. If you’re not sure how to find your area's day length or first and last frost dates, consult our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in seed trays or directly in the ground after frost danger has passed. Germination usually takes 7-14 days. Space seedlings 4-6 inches apart with 12 inches between rows to give the bulbs plenty of room for growth. Amend the soil with compost before planting for even better results.

Feed the plants every 2-3 weeks with a balanced fertilizer or compost tea. Maintain consistent soil moisture and weed regularly to prevent competition. When the tops begin to yellow and fall over, stop watering to allow the bulbs to mature fully before harvesting.

• Onions will cross with other onions, and occasionally they will cross with scallion types like Welsh onions and Hi Shi Ko bunching onions. Onions will never cross with leeks, chives or garlic.
• If you are growing types that will cross, try to isolate varieties by at least several hundred feet or ideally up to one mile.
• Onions are a biennial seed crop, so you will need to overwinter your first-year roots, ideally by digging them up and storing them for the winter. Replant in early spring, and allow onions to shoot up spikes of purple flowers.
• Let seeds become dry on the plants. Pick seeds when they are hard and dark black, then bring them indoors to finish drying.
• Once dry, separate the seeds from the husks or leave them on and plant them husks and all.