White Sweet Spanish Onion and Rossa Lunga di Firenze Onion

White Sweet Spanish Onion

Description:

The White Sweet Spanish Onion is a large, globe-shaped onion known for its sweet and mild flavor. It typically has white skin and firm, juicy flesh, making it ideal for fresh use in salads, sandwiches, or as a topping.

Size: These onions can grow to a substantial size, often reaching 3-4 inches in diameter when well-cultivated.

Uses: Its sweet flavor makes it versatile in the kitchen, suitable for raw consumption, grilling, roasting, and caramelizing.

Growing Instructions:

From Seed: 

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost date.

Plant seeds OE inch deep in seed-starting mix.

Keep the soil moist and provide ample light.

Transplant seedlings outdoors when they reach 3-4 inches tall and the threat of frost has passed.

Outdoor Sowing:

Sow seeds directly into the soil after the last frost date in well-draining soil.

Space seeds 1 inch apart and rows 12-18 inches apart.

Thin seedlings to 4-6 inches apart once they sprout.

Timing:

White Sweet Spanish Onions are long-day onions and grow best in regions with longer daylight hours in the summer.

History:

This variety has been cultivated for its sweetness and large size, making it a favorite among home gardeners and chefs alike.

Rossa Lunga di Firenze Onion

Description:

The Rossa Lunga di Firenze is a traditional Italian heirloom onion with a unique elongated, torpedo shape. Its red-purple skin and sweet, mild flavor make it a staple in Mediterranean cuisine.

Size: These onions are medium-sized, typically growing 4-6 inches in length.

Uses: This onion is perfect for fresh use in salads, pickling, grilling, or roasting, enhancing dishes with its mild sweetness and vibrant color.

Growing Instructions:

From Seed:

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.

Plant seeds OE inch deep in seed-starting mix.

Provide consistent moisture and light.

Transplant seedlings outdoors when they reach 3-4 inches tall and after the last frost.

Outdoor Sowing:

Sow seeds directly into the garden in early spring after the soil has warmed.

Space seeds 1 inch apart in rows 12-18 inches apart.

Thin seedlings to 4-6 inches apart.

Timing:

This onion variety thrives in full sun and well-draining soil with consistent moisture.

Latin Name:

Allium cepa 'Rossa Lunga di Firenze'

History:

An heirloom variety from Florence, Italy, the Rossa Lunga di Firenze has been cherished for centuries for its flavor and aesthetic appeal, playing a prominent role in traditional Italian recipes.

Combined Notes for Both Onions

Both onions require similar growing conditions: full sun, well-draining soil, and consistent watering.

Starting seeds indoors ensures a head start on the growing season, especially in colder climates.

The White Sweet Spanish Onion is a globe-shaped, sweet variety suited for a range of culinary uses, while the Rossa Lunga di Firenze is a torpedo-shaped heirloom with a distinctive red-purple hue and Italian origins.