100% Certified Organic & Demeter Certified Bio-Dynamic Seed
Grown, harvested, dried and packed on Transition Farm
NOTE - If ordering from Western Australia, please check the POSTAGE page for further information
Onion 'Italian Long Keeper'
Onion 'Italian Long Keeper'
Allium cepa
Winner of “Best Flavour” in our 2021 storage onion trials, large white globes with golden skin and excellent storage capacity. The sweet depth of flavour in ‘Italian Long Keeper’ as opposed to the single note of pungency in the other storage brown onions was a pleasant surprised. Intermediate to long-day length type.
Selected for the classic globe shape, long storage ability, single core and sweet smell.
-Intermediate to long- day length type best grown with 13-16 hours daylight for max bulb size
-Long Storage, Tight neck
-Golden skinned, white globe
-Complex flavour profile with sweetness combined with pungency
The flavour of ‘Italian Long Keeper’ permeates the taste of soups, stews, fried potatoes, omelettes, etc noticeably. The sweetness was perceivable just frying them and brought about comments and questions from guests - noting how appealing the flavour is.
While the sweetness does taper towards the end of winter, they still noticeably held a more complex flavour through until December after 9 months in storage (harvested Mid March from a September sowing).
SEED COUNT: 200, 1000 approx.
Germination: Lot#12390 94% JUN2023
PLEASE NOTE: We do not authorize the repackaging of our seed without written permission
Seed Raising, Growing and Harvest Information
| Plant Type | Site | Spacing | Height | Sowing Depth |
Days to Germination |
Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardy Annual |
Full Sun | 3 seed per cell 10cm apart in rows 40cm apart |
50cm | 6-10mm | 5-12 days @ 17-27 degrees |
110-120 days |
DIRECT SOW - Plant seed 6-10mm deep, 3-5 seeds every 10cm in rows 40cm apart during July, August or early September in prepared, well-draining soil. Thin to 5 or 6cm apart using the thinning’s as scallions. Or sow in bunches for easier harvest. Days to maturity are from transplant.
TRANSPLANT (recommended) - Start transplants 8-10 weeks before planting date. Sow thickly in flats or 1” cells, in bunches for easier harvest. We have had good results planting multi cells spaced wider in the field.
NOTES - Large, healthy tops lead to optimum bulbs, so it is also important to give the onion plant enough time to size up prior to bulbing. Days to maturity can vary widely depending on variety and seasonal culture. Adequate time can often be achieved by varying planting dates and using transplants instead of, or in addition to, direct-seeding in short-season areas.
- Onions compete poorly with weeds. Cultivate regularly to control weed pressure.
HARVEST - For fresh eating, onions can be harvested whenever they reach desired size. Storage onions can be harvested when 80% of the tops dry up and flop over. Pull bulbs from ground and cure in an airy, shaded place for two weeks at 22-25°F and 80% relative humidity.
STORAGE - Cool slowly, and store at steady temperatures. Rapid cooling followed by a sudden warm period might break dormancy and cause onions to sprout. Optimal storage is at near freezing temperatures at 65-70% relative humidity.
