White Globle Onion plants (autumn planting) - Allium cepa

The Snowball White Onion is a variety that produces large round, white bulbs. It is a variety that you will appreciate for its very sweet taste and crunchy texture. Cold resistant, the Swowball onion can be planted in autumn in mild climates or from February to April to harvest them as early as the end of spring or in July and August.

The onion is a herbaceous plant producing a single bulb topped with hollow, cylindrical stems. It belongs to the Lily family, like garlic, shallots, and chives. The onion is mainly cultivated for its bulb and sometimes for its stems, consumed in the same way as chives.

There are three groups of onions, distinguished by the color of the bulb:

• white onions, early varieties, consumed in vegetable gardens for example or pickled in vinegar, 
• yellow onions, for storage, often consumed cooked (soups, pissaladière, compotes as accompaniments to cheese or cold cuts), 
• red onions, usually consumed raw in salads.

There are also less common pink onions, such as the Roscoff pink onion.

Rich in vitamins A, B, C, and minerals, onions are often more digestible when cooked and develop a sweeter flavor. To avoid crying while cutting an onion, you can peel it under running water, in a basin of water, or wear swimming goggles!

Historically, onions originate from Central Asia where they have been consumed for over 6000 years. Their presence is also attested in the tombs of the pharaohs as a food supply. Their therapeutic and gustatory virtues were already recognized. The Romans later introduced onions throughout Western Europe. It is also worth noting that it was Christopher Columbus who introduced onions to the Americas during his second voyage.

Harvesting: White onions are harvested in spring when the foliage is still green. Coloured onions (yellow and red) are harvested in summer when the stems are completely dried and bent down to the ground. Gently pull them out and let them dry for two to three days on the ground in the sun. Remove excess dried soil by lightly rubbing them.

Storage: Onions can be stored for several months under good conditions. If the condition of the stems allows, you can make a braid and hang the obtained bunches. Otherwise, cut off the leaves and store the onions in a dark, cool, dry, and well-ventilated place. Check beforehand that they have not been bruised to prevent rotting, which could contaminate the entire harvest.

Gardener's Tip: alternate rows of onions and carrots to keep the carrot fly and onion fly away. Additionally, onions like the companionship of beets, strawberries, and lettuces.