Onion, Long Day yellow Spanish
Onion, Spanish Sweet Yellow
Heirloom. Organic. One of the most popular for gardeners, this jumbo-sized onion is mild with golden brown skin. These golden onions produce fruit up to a pound (16 oz) and their great flavor lasts longer than most other varieties. Yellow Sweet Spanish onions are gardeners’ favorites because they grow quickly without much effort. Water every couple days and fertilize about three weeks after you plant them. You will be able to harvest your onions less than four months after planting. Large, globe-shaped yellow onion with a crisp, firm white flesh that keeps well. A long day onion, it develops late in the season in the North but is a fall onion in southern growing areas. Needs 13 hours or more of day length for best development. Firm textured and mild flavored. Make sure the thick, heavy neck dries well, and it will store for several months in a cool, dry place. Tolerant to pink root. Space transplants 4 to 6 inches apart. 1929 Buckbee's Seed Catalog says about yellow sweet spanish onions...."This onion was first grown in Spain where it was in great favor-the supply never being equal to the demand. A small supply of seed was finally secured and planted in this coutry..."
Planting Spanish Sweet Yellow Onion
While starting seeds of the Spanish Sweet Yellow Onion is not necessarily difficult, the right conditions will make the process successful. Sow Spanish Sweet Yellow Onion seeds directly in the ground in the spring when the threat of frost has passed or start in containers several weeks before transplanting into soil. Keep the ground moist but not wet for the first couple of weeks. Pick a sunny, well-drained spot for planting for the best performance. Spanish Sweet Yellow Onion prefers a well-drained fertile soil in a sunny position.
Height: 24-30” Days to harvest—90 to 105 Days
Spacing: 4-6" inches Depth: 1/16 inch Germination: 15-25 days
Starting from Seed Indoors
Generally, the time to start your seeds is about 6- 8 weeks before the last expected spring frost date in your area, planting the seedlings outdoors about 2 weeks after that date. Another way to figure is to plan on setting out sturdy seedlings in the garden when night temperatures stay in the mid-50 degree range both day and night. Count back and sow seeds 2 to 3 weeks before that date normally arrives. Place a few seeds (5 to 10) into each pot and push them into the soil with your finger. Cover the seeds to a depth of approximately 1/16 inches of the potting mix. Mist each pot with water until the soil appears moist. Place the pots in an area which will provide both light (which is required for germination) and heat, preferably about 65 to 70 degrees F and at least 8 hours of light each day. Check on the seeds every day and keep the seeds damp but not drenched by misting with your plant mister. You should see sprouting in about 15 to 25 days. Once your seedlings have reached about 4 to 6 inches in height, choose an area in your garden to transfer them. You can also use containers like barrels or clay pots. Dig holes twice the width and depth of each of your pots. Fill up each hole with water then let it drain off. Place a pot in the hole center and level so that your seedling is at the same level as the surrounding soil. Push dirt in carefully all the way to fill the hole back up. Water each seedling carefully so as not to soak the leaves or stem. Onions like rich soil, add lots of organic matter to the soil before planting.
Direct-seeding into the Garden
Turn over the area you've selected to a depth of approximately 1/2 inches. Rake the area until it's level and smooth. Water the area until the soil is damp but not saturated. Scatter the seeds in the area. Gently rake the area to distribute the seeds further and protect them from birds. Or, press the seeds into the soil and cover with no more than 1/16 inches of soil. You can also place 2 to 3 seeds every 3 to 4 inches in rows approximately 8-10 inches apart, and cover seeds with 1/16 inches of soil. Place planting stakes around the area so you will know where to water. Check on your seeds about once a day. Make sure to mist the soil whenever it appears dry. Germination for Spanish Sweet Yellow Onion plants is approximately 15 to 25 days, depending on the warmth of the soil.
Germination Problems
Growing plants from seeds successfully depends on a lot of factors and this makes it impossible to guarantee success on every batch of seeds planted. Factors include, soil composition, PH, temperature, moisture levels, seed depth, soil density, seed viability, seed storage and many others. We tested the germination of all our seeds and this seed variety is around 80%, but your results may vary based on exactly how you plant and all the environmental factors. Good luck.