Grown for bulbs (and leaves) used as seasoning Bulb-forming types are planted in the fall, grow through the winter and spring, and then begin to form bulbs in mid-late spring (depending on variety). The plants like nitrogen fertilizer during active growth period. Harvest May - June; some varieties later. Gardeners will push the foliage over when the weather is getting warm to force bulb production. Allow the foliage to dry before you harvest, but you can hasten that by loosening the soil around the roots with a spading fork. Store in a shaded, dry place and try not to let the bulbs touch in storage. Plant from bare-rooted seedlings (easiest) in Nov. - Dec., or from seed in early fall. They are sometimes available in seedling six-packs in nurseries in fall, with 50+ seedlings sown close together. Separate them gently if you can; it's easiest in a bowl of water. Or just plant clumps of them and thin to use green onions until you have just one per 3 - 4 inches. Plants grown from bulbs usually try to flower, leading to hollow bulbs. Onions are grouped as short-day, intermediate-day, or long-day, depending on how many hours of daylight they require to start forming bulbs. Good news: we are right in the middle of those zones, and can grow nearly all varieties here! Common varieties for the Sacramento Valley include Stockton yellow, Stockton red, Early California red, Fresno White, Red Torpedo, Walla Walla.
Grown for bulbs, used for seasoning. Special flavor! Not as productive as other onions. Perennial.
Grown for leaves, bulbs used as seasoning. Onions which produce clusters of bulbs, instead of a single bulb per plant. Examples are potato onions and shallots. Potato onions are an heirloom vegetable, very productive.
Grown for leaves, bulbs for seasoning. Used like green onions or scallions. Also called 'Walking onions' because tops will sprout, then fall over and root--can spread more than you want!
Asian vegetable, Grown for young plants used as seasoning. Also called Rakkyo. A type of multiplier onion like potato onions and shallots--forms bulbs and increases freely--but mostly Grown for the leaves.
Grown for leaves used as seasoning. Easy to grow; multiply but don't form bulbs. Japanese bunching onions are a type of multiplier onion like shallots, forming bulbs and increasing freely, but mostly Grown for the leaves.
Grown for bulbs, used for seasoning. Plant disease-free bulbs in fall. Split the head into cloves and plant them a few inches apart. Each clove will produce a new head. Planting is same as for onions. Push over foliage, start watering less often in late spring. Harvest early summer. A great garlic resource: http://www.gourmetgarlicgardens.com/
Grown for bulbs, used for seasoning. Actually a form of leek, but planted just like garlic.
Grown for stems and leaves, used for seasoning like onion. Very easy. Can be perennial if you cut carefully, leaving 1/2 inch above the ground, so that it resprouts. Reseeds if allowed to flower.
Grown for leaves, used as herb, and edible flowers. Easy, perennial herb with pretty pink flowers. Dies down completely in winter.
Asian vegetable, Grown for leaves used as herb. Really easy perennial with white flowers; reseeds. Doesn't die down in winter.