Allium cepa 'Vidalia'
vegetableThe famous sweet Georgia onion — one of the mildest, sweetest, and juiciest onions in the world. The Vidalia sweetness comes from the low-sulfur soils of Toombs County, Georgia, but any gardener can grow a similar sweet onion in low-sulfur soil conditions. Enormous white-fleshed bulbs with a paper-thin golden skin. The onion people eat like an apple.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 3 days
Harvest
~110 days
Difficulty
medium
Lifecycle
biennial
Leaves year 1, flowers year 2
Spacing
4-6 in
Planting Depth
1/2-1 in
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Soil Type
Loose, low-sulfur
Hardiness Zones
Zones 7 – 10
Grown as an annual — this range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
High-nitrogen fertilizer at planting; balanced side-dress when tops reach 6 inches; stop feeding as bulbs begin to swell
Fertilizer
High-nitrogen early; low-nitrogen balanced formula once bulbing begins
Vidalia-type onions are short-day varieties, bulbing when day length reaches 10 to 12 hours. Plant in fall in zones 7 to 9 for spring harvest, or in early spring in the far South. They will not bulb properly in northern long-day regions. In low-sulfur soil they develop maximum sweetness; in standard garden soil they are still milder than yellow storage onions. Harvest when tops fall.
Direct sow
Jan 21
Projected first harvest
May 11
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Row cover from planting; avoid fresh manure; rotate beds annually
Reflective silver mulch; spinosad spray if severe
Ensure drainage; avoid overhead watering; copper spray preventively
Plant in well-draining soil; handle bulbs gently at harvest
Harvest when tops fall naturally. Vidalia-types require only 1 to 2 weeks of curing — they do not store as long as pungent storage onions due to their high water content. Refrigerate after curing for up to 1 to 2 months. Wrap individually in paper to extend storage. Excellent caramelized, in French onion soup, or eaten raw on sandwiches.
Good source of vitamin C, B6, quercetin, and potassium. Lower sulfur content than yellow pungent onions reduces the compounds that cause eye tearing and digestive discomfort for some people.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.