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Allium cepa
Aviv is an early-maturing white Onion producing smooth, clean bulbs with crisp flesh and a pleasantly mild flavour. Best harvested young, it is an excellent choice when a quick crop of tender onions is wanted rather than a variety intended for lengthy storage.
The mild flavour and firm, juicy texture make Aviv particularly good for eating fresh. Slice the young bulbs into salads and sandwiches, marinate them with herbs and vinegar, or harvest them small for pickling whole. They can also be used anywhere a gentle onion flavour is preferred without overpowering other ingredients.
Onions have been cultivated since ancient times, with their origins generally traced to Central and Southwest Asia. Their ability to store, travel and provide flavour made them an important food crop throughout the ancient world and eventually gave rise to an enormous diversity of regional varieties.
Aviv is particularly useful for gardeners wanting an early crop and performs best from autumn sowings. Unlike longer-keeping storage onions, the bulbs are best used relatively soon after harvest while their texture and flavour are at their finest.
Plants prefer full sun and rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Consistent moisture encourages rapid, even growth, although onions dislike waterlogged conditions and excessive fertilising should be avoided.
Seed count: approximately 240–400 seeds/g
Approximately 100 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Autumn to winter
Subtropics: Autumn to winter
Mild climates: Autumn to winter
Cold climates: Autumn where winters are suitable, or according to local onion-growing conditions
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep into prepared soil, seedbeds or trays. Keep consistently moist and provide some shade over the seedbed until germination is well established.
Transplant or thin seedlings to approximately 8–10 cm apart. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and maintain even moisture throughout active growth.
Harvest young once bulbs have reached a useful size for fresh eating or pickling. For more mature bulbs, allow the tops to naturally yellow and fall before lifting. Cure briefly in a dry, well-ventilated position, but use relatively promptly as Aviv is not intended for long-term storage.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Round white onion to 20mm, Italian heirloom used in soups, roasted or as a pickle. Plant Autumn or Spring, small thinnings used in salads. 65 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Allium cepa
Barletta White Pickling is a traditional Italian heirloom Onion producing small, round, pure white bulbs approximately 20 mm across. Quick to mature and beautifully uniform, it is particularly prized as a pickling onion but is equally useful fresh or cooked.
The crisp white bulbs have a mild, pleasantly sweet flavour. Harvest them small for pickling whole, slice fresh into salads, roast them alongside vegetables and meats, or add them to soups and stews. Young plants removed while thinning can also be eaten as tender spring onions, making good use of the crop from an early stage.
Originating in Italy and named for the southern Italian city of Barletta in Puglia, this old variety has long been valued for producing small, neat bulbs ideal for preserving. Its relatively rapid maturity also makes it a useful choice for successive plantings.
Onions have been cultivated since ancient times, with their origins generally traced to Central and Southwest Asia. Their ability to store, travel and provide flavour made them an important food crop throughout the ancient world and eventually gave rise to an enormous diversity of regional varieties.
Barletta White Pickling performs best in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Consistent moisture encourages quick, even growth and tender bulbs, although onions dislike waterlogged conditions.
Seed count: approximately 240–400 seeds/g
Approximately 100 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Autumn to winter
Subtropics: Autumn to spring
Mild climates: Autumn and spring
Cold climates: Spring
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep directly into prepared soil or into trays for transplanting. Keep consistently moist and provide some shade over newly sown seed until germination is well established.
For small pickling onions, thin seedlings to approximately 3–5 cm apart. Wider spacing will encourage larger bulbs. Use the young thinnings fresh in salads rather than discarding them.
Grow in full sun in rich, well-drained soil and maintain even moisture during active growth. Avoid over-fertilising or allowing the soil to become waterlogged.
Harvest at approximately 20 mm across for classic pickling onions, or allow bulbs to grow somewhat larger for roasting and general kitchen use.
Maturity: approximately 65 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Allium cepa
White Sweet Spanish Bunching is a mild, versatile Onion grown primarily for its long white necks and tender green tops. Rather than developing the substantial bulb of a mature Spanish onion, it can be harvested young as a spring onion, with a slender white stem and small bulb at the base.
The crisp stems have a pleasantly sweet, mild onion flavour and can be eaten raw in salads, sandwiches and salsas or finely sliced as a garnish. They are also excellent in stir-fries, noodle and rice dishes, soups and other Asian-style cooking. Both the white stems and green leaves are edible.
Harvesting can begin while plants are young and slender, making this a useful crop for gardeners wanting a relatively quick supply of fresh onions. Plants can also be left longer to develop thicker stems and a more pronounced small bulb.
Onions have been cultivated since ancient times, with their origins generally traced to Central and Southwest Asia. Their ability to store, travel and provide flavour made them an important food crop throughout the ancient world and eventually gave rise to an enormous diversity of bulbing and bunching forms.
White Sweet Spanish Bunching performs particularly well from autumn and spring sowings. Plants prefer full sun and fertile, well-drained soil with consistent moisture for rapid, tender growth.
Seed count: approximately 240–400 seeds/g
Approximately 100 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Autumn to winter
Subtropics: Autumn to spring
Mild climates: Autumn and spring
Cold climates: Spring to early autumn
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep directly into prepared soil or raise in trays for transplanting. Seeds can be sown approximately 6–8 mm apart and thinned as plants develop.
For slender spring onions, plants can remain relatively closely spaced and be harvested progressively. For larger stems and small bulbs, thin to approximately 5–10 cm apart.
Grow in full sun in rich, well-drained soil and maintain consistent moisture throughout active growth. Avoid waterlogged conditions and excessive fertilising.
Harvest young when the stems reach the desired thickness, or allow plants to develop further for larger white stems and small bulbs. Both the white portion and green tops can be harvested and eaten.
Maturity: approximately 60–120 days, depending on the size at harvest.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Allium cepa
Californian Red Odourless is a mild red Onion producing large, flattened globe-shaped bulbs with attractive deep red skin and soft, sweet white flesh. Its gentle flavour and relatively low pungency make it particularly suited to fresh eating.
The crisp, juicy flesh can be sliced generously into salads, sandwiches and burgers without the strong bite associated with more pungent onions. It is also excellent in salsas, relishes and fresh pickles, or lightly grilled and roasted where its natural sweetness becomes more pronounced.
Californian Red Odourless is best regarded as a fresh-use onion rather than a storage variety. The mild, succulent bulbs have a relatively short keeping period and are best enjoyed soon after harvest.
Onions have been cultivated since ancient times, with their origins generally traced to Central and Southwest Asia. Their ability to store, travel and provide flavour made them an important food crop throughout the ancient world and eventually gave rise to an enormous diversity of colours, shapes, flavours and regional varieties.
Plants perform best in full sun with rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Steady growth and consistent moisture during active development encourage large, tender bulbs, although onions dislike waterlogged conditions and should not be over-fertilised.
Seed count: approximately 240–400 seeds/g
Approximately 100 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Autumn to winter, where suitable
Subtropics: Autumn to winter
Mild climates: Autumn to winter
Cold climates: Autumn to winter, according to local onion-growing conditions
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep into prepared soil, seedbeds or trays. Keep consistently moist and provide some shade over the seedbed until germination is well established.
Transplant or thin seedlings to approximately 10–15 cm apart to allow the bulbs room to develop. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and maintain even moisture during active growth.
Reduce watering as the bulbs approach maturity. Harvest when the tops naturally yellow, dry and fall over. Lift carefully and cure in a dry, well-ventilated position.
Californian Red Odourless has a relatively short storage life, so use the bulbs promptly after curing rather than keeping them as a long-term storage onion.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Allium cepa
Creamgold, also known as Pukekohe Long Keeper, is a large, globe-shaped onion with light brown skin and an outstanding reputation for long-term storage. This late-season heirloom from New Zealand produces firm, flavoursome bulbs that keep exceptionally well through winter, making it one of the best long-keeping varieties available. Best suited to cooler climates, it thrives in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Onions have been cultivated since ancient times, originating in Central Asia, and remain an indispensable kitchen staple.
Approximately 320 seeds per gram
Approximately 120 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: April to June
Subtropics: March to July
Mild climates: March to August
Cold climates: Autumn to spring
Planting / Sowing
Sow seed 5 mm deep in seed trays or directly into prepared beds in full sun. Transplant seedlings when they are pencil thickness, spacing plants 10–15 cm apart with 25–30 cm between rows. In colder regions, seedlings or onion sets may also be transplanted in spring. Grow in fertile, well-drained soil, keeping plants evenly watered but avoiding waterlogging or excessive nitrogen, which encourages leaf growth rather than bulb development. Harvest when the tops yellow, dry and naturally fall over. Cure bulbs in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place before storing.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Allium cepa
Creamgold, also known as Pukekohe Long Keeper, is a classic New Zealand Onion producing large, globe-shaped bulbs with light golden-brown skin and firm, flavourful flesh. It is particularly renowned for its exceptional keeping quality and is one of the best varieties for gardeners wanting onions that will store well through winter.
Developed from onions grown around Pukekohe, one of New Zealand’s most important traditional onion-growing districts, this variety became valued for its combination of substantial bulb size, dependable performance and outstanding storage life. It is a late-season onion and is particularly well suited to cooler growing regions.
The firm flesh has a good, full onion flavour and is an excellent all-purpose kitchen variety. Use it raw or cooked in soups, stews, curries and sauces, or roast, sauté and caramelise the bulbs. Its great advantage is that properly cured onions can be stored for an extended period, providing a useful supply well beyond harvest.
Onions have been cultivated since ancient times, with their origins generally traced to Central and Southwest Asia. Their ability to store for long periods made them an especially valuable staple crop and led to the development of regional varieties specifically selected for keeping quality.
Creamgold prefers full sun and rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Consistent moisture is important during active growth, but avoid excessive fertilising and waterlogged conditions. Allow the bulbs to mature fully before harvest to achieve the best storage life.
Seed count: approximately 240–400 seeds/g
Approximately 200 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Generally not ideally suited
Subtropics: Autumn to winter, with suitability dependent on location
Mild climates: Autumn to winter
Cold climates: Autumn to winter; sets or seedlings may also be transplanted in spring
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep into prepared soil, seedbeds or trays. Keep consistently moist and lightly shade newly sown seed until germination is well established.
Transplant or thin seedlings to approximately 10–15 cm apart. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and maintain even moisture during active growth and bulb development.
As the bulbs approach maturity, reduce watering. Harvest when the tops naturally yellow, dry and fall over. Lift carefully and allow the bulbs to cure thoroughly in a dry, airy, well-ventilated position.
Once properly cured, store in a cool, dry place with good air circulation. Creamgold is particularly valued for its ability to remain in excellent condition for many months after harvest.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Allium cepa
Early Creamgold, also known as Early Pukekohe Long Keeper, is an earlier-maturing selection of the classic Creamgold onion. It produces attractive globe-shaped bulbs with golden-brown skin and firm, flavourful flesh, combining good storage potential with an earlier harvest than the traditional Pukekohe Long Keeper.
The bulbs have a good, versatile onion flavour and are excellent for everyday kitchen use. Slice fresh into salads and sandwiches or use for roasting, sautéing, caramelising, soups, stews, curries and sauces. Once properly cured, the bulbs store well, making this a useful variety for maintaining a home-grown onion supply after harvest.
Pukekohe onions are associated with the Pukekohe district of New Zealand, a region with a long history of commercial onion production. Selections from this type became particularly valued for their dependable bulb formation, flavour and excellent keeping qualities.
Early Creamgold is an intermediate-day onion, initiating bulb formation as day length increases. In Australia it is particularly suited to the southern onion-growing regions, from approximately central New South Wales through Victoria and Tasmania, as well as suitable areas of South Australia and Western Australia.
Onions have been cultivated since ancient times, with their origins generally traced to Central and Southwest Asia. Their versatility and ability to store for extended periods made them an important staple crop throughout the ancient world.
Seed count: approximately 240–400 seeds/g
Approximately 200 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Central NSW: Late May to July
Victoria: Late May to July
Tasmania: Late May to July
South Australia: Late May to July
Western Australia: Late May to July in suitable onion-growing districts
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep into prepared soil, seedbeds or trays. Keep consistently moist and lightly shade newly sown seed until germination is well established.
Transplant or thin seedlings to approximately 10–15 cm apart. Grow in full sun in rich, well-drained soil and maintain even moisture during active growth and bulb development. Avoid excessive fertilising and waterlogged conditions.
As an intermediate-day variety, correct sowing time and latitude are important for good bulb formation. Sow from late May through July in suitable southern Australian regions for harvest around December to January.
Reduce watering as bulbs approach maturity. Harvest when the tops naturally yellow, dry and fall over. Lift carefully and cure thoroughly in a dry, airy, well-ventilated position before storing.
Typical harvest: December to January from late May–July sowings.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Allium cepa
Giant Yellow Spanish Early is a large, reliable onion producing substantial bulbs wrapped in firm yellow-brown skins. The creamy-white flesh has a pleasantly mild flavour, making it an excellent all-purpose onion for both fresh and cooked dishes.
Young plants can be harvested early and used as bunching onions, while those left to mature develop large bulbs with good keeping qualities. The firm flesh is excellent sliced fresh, caramelised, roasted or used as a dependable cooking onion.
A long-day onion, Giant Yellow Spanish Early develops its best bulbs where summer day length is sufficient to trigger bulbing, making it particularly well suited to mild and cooler southern regions. Onions have been cultivated since ancient times and are valued nutritionally for vitamin C, fibre and naturally occurring sulphur compounds.
Seed count: approximately 240–400 seeds per gram. Approximately 120 seeds per packet.
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Generally unsuitable for full-sized bulbs; can be grown for bunching onions
Subtropics: March–June, best in cooler districts
Mild climates: February–July
Cold climates: February–May
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep into finely prepared soil or seed-raising mix, keeping the seedbed consistently moist until germination. Lightly shade newly sown beds in warm conditions until seedlings are well established.
Thin or transplant seedlings to approximately 8–10 cm apart with 25–30 cm between rows. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and avoid excessive nitrogen or waterlogging. Reduce watering as bulbs approach maturity. Harvest when the tops naturally yellow, dry and fall over, then cure the bulbs in a dry, well-ventilated position.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Allium cepa
Giant Yellow Spanish Early is a substantial traditional Onion producing large, globe-shaped bulbs wrapped in heavy yellow-brown skin. Inside, the creamy-white flesh is firm, juicy and pleasantly mild, making it an excellent all-purpose kitchen onion.
The bulbs can be allowed to mature to their impressive full size or harvested earlier and used as bunching onions while the stems and developing bulbs are still young and tender. Mature onions are excellent sliced, roasted, sautéed or caramelised, and are equally useful in soups, stews, curries and sauces.
Giant Yellow Spanish Early is also a good keeping variety. Its heavier outer skin helps protect the mature bulb during storage, and properly cured onions can provide a useful supply well beyond the growing season.
Spanish-type onions became renowned for their large size and comparatively mild flavour, with selections eventually spreading widely through Europe, North America and other temperate growing regions. Giant Yellow Spanish Early combines these characteristics with earlier development than many traditional large Spanish onions.
This is a long-day onion, requiring the increasing day lengths of late spring and summer to initiate and develop good bulbs. It is therefore best suited to cooler southern regions of Australia where summer days are sufficiently long. Sow from early July in suitable districts.
Onions have been cultivated since ancient times, with their origins generally traced to Central and Southwest Asia. Their versatility and ability to store for extended periods made them an important staple crop throughout the ancient world.
Seed count: approximately 240–400 seeds/g
Approximately 200 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Not recommended for reliable bulb production
Subtropics: Generally not suited as a bulbing onion
Mild southern climates: Winter to early spring
Cold climates: Winter to early spring, from approximately July
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep into prepared soil, seedbeds or trays. Keep consistently moist and lightly shade newly sown seed until germination is well established.
Transplant or thin seedlings to approximately 10–15 cm apart for mature bulbs. Plants intended for bunching can be grown more closely and harvested young.
Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and maintain even moisture during active growth. Avoid excessive fertilising and waterlogged conditions.
As a long-day variety, Giant Yellow Spanish Early requires sufficiently long summer daylight hours for reliable bulb formation, so latitude and sowing time are important.
Reduce watering as bulbs approach maturity. Harvest when the tops naturally yellow, dry and fall over. Lift carefully and cure thoroughly in a dry, well-ventilated position before storing.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Allium cepa
Gladalan White is an early, short-day Onion producing attractive round white bulbs of medium to large size. Developed for reliable production in warmer climates, it is a versatile variety that can be harvested young as a spring onion or allowed to mature into full-sized white bulbs.
The crisp white flesh has a pleasantly mild flavour, making it particularly good for fresh eating. Young plants can be sliced into salads, sandwiches and salsas or used as spring onions in stir-fries and noodle dishes. Mature bulbs are excellent raw, roasted, grilled, sautéed or added to soups, stews, curries and sauces.
Gladalan White is a short-day onion, meaning it begins forming bulbs at relatively short day lengths. This makes it particularly well suited to warmer and more northerly Australian growing regions, where long-day varieties may produce plenty of foliage without developing satisfactory bulbs.
Onions have been cultivated since ancient times, with their origins generally traced to Central and Southwest Asia. Their versatility and ability to store made them an important staple crop throughout the ancient world and eventually led to varieties adapted to very different climates and day lengths.
Plants perform best in full sun with rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Consistent moisture encourages rapid, even growth, although onions dislike waterlogged conditions and excessive fertilising should be avoided.
Seed count: approximately 240–400 seeds/g
Approximately 200 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Autumn to winter
Subtropics: Autumn to winter
Warm temperate climates: Autumn to winter
Cool climates: Generally choose an intermediate or long-day variety for reliable mature bulb production
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep into prepared soil, seedbeds or trays. Keep consistently moist and lightly shade newly sown seed until germination is well established.
For mature bulbs, transplant or thin seedlings to approximately 10–15 cm apart. Plants intended for spring onion harvesting can be grown more closely together and harvested progressively while young.
Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and maintain even moisture throughout active growth and bulb development.
As a short-day variety, Gladalan White begins bulb formation under shorter daylight conditions than intermediate and long-day onions, making variety choice and latitude important for successful bulb development.
Reduce watering as mature bulbs approach harvest. Lift when the tops naturally yellow, dry and fall over, then cure in a dry, airy, well-ventilated position. Plants harvested as spring onions can be pulled whenever they reach the desired size.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Allium cepa
Golden Bologna, known in Italy as Dorata di Bologna, is a traditional Italian long-day heirloom onion from Bologna. It produces handsome, rounded bulbs wrapped in rich golden-brown skins, with firm flesh and a robust, pleasantly pungent onion flavour that becomes sweet and mellow when cooked.
An excellent all-purpose kitchen onion, Golden Bologna is particularly good for roasting, sautéing, soups, sauces and slow-cooked dishes. The firm, well-wrapped bulbs have excellent keeping qualities, making it a useful variety for storing and using well beyond harvest.
Best suited to temperate and cooler regions, this long-day onion requires the longer daylight hours of summer to develop good-sized bulbs. Onions have been cultivated since ancient times and are valued nutritionally for vitamin C, fibre and naturally occurring sulphur compounds.
Seed count: approximately 240–400 seeds per gram. Approximately 100 seeds per packet.
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Generally unsuitable for full-sized bulbs; can be grown for bunching onions
Subtropics: March–June, best in cooler districts
Mild climates: February–July
Cold climates: February–May
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep into finely prepared soil or seed-raising mix, keeping the seedbed consistently moist until germination. Lightly shade newly sown beds in warm conditions until seedlings are well established.
Thin or transplant seedlings to approximately 8–10 cm apart with 25–30 cm between rows. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and avoid excessive nitrogen or waterlogging. Reduce watering as bulbs approach maturity. Harvest when the tops naturally yellow, dry and fall over, then cure the bulbs in a dry, well-ventilated position.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Allium cepa
Long Tropea Red is a beautiful heritage Onion from southern Italy, producing distinctive elongated bulbs with glossy red to purple skin and crisp, pale flesh flushed with red. Medium to large when mature, its unusual torpedo-like shape makes it instantly recognisable amongst traditional onions.
This variety is particularly prized for its mild, sweet flavour and relatively gentle pungency. The tender bulbs are excellent sliced raw into salads, sandwiches and antipasto, or served simply with tomatoes, olive oil and herbs. They are also delicious grilled or roasted, although much of the distinctive red colouring fades during cooking.
Tropea onions have been cultivated for generations in Calabria in southern Italy and are closely associated with the town of Tropea and the surrounding Tyrrhenian coast. The region has become famous for exceptionally sweet red onions, which are an important part of local food culture and are used fresh, cooked, preserved and even made into relishes and jams.
Long Tropea Red is also a useful storage onion. Once bulbs are fully mature and properly cured, they can be kept for an extended period in cool, dry, well-ventilated conditions.
Onions have been cultivated since ancient times, with their origins generally traced to Central and Southwest Asia. Their versatility and ability to store made them an important staple crop throughout the ancient world and eventually led to the enormous diversity of regional varieties grown today.
Seed count: approximately 240–400 seeds/g
Approximately 100 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Autumn to winter, where suitable
Subtropics: Autumn to winter
Mild climates: Autumn to winter
Cold climates: Autumn to winter, according to local onion-growing conditions
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep into prepared soil, seedbeds or trays. Keep consistently moist and lightly shade newly sown seed until germination is well established.
Transplant or thin seedlings to approximately 10–15 cm apart to allow the elongated bulbs room to develop. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and maintain even moisture during active growth.
Avoid excessive fertilising and waterlogged conditions. As the bulbs approach maturity, reduce watering and allow the tops to naturally yellow, dry and fall over.
Lift mature bulbs carefully and cure thoroughly in a dry, airy, well-ventilated position before storing. Properly cured bulbs can be kept for an extended period.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Allium cepa
Golden of Parma, also known as Yellow of Parma or Dorata di Parma, is a prized Italian heirloom Onion producing beautifully rounded bulbs with rich golden-yellow skin and firm, pale flesh. A traditional long-keeping variety, it combines excellent storage qualities with a rich, sweet flavour.
The firm bulbs are wonderfully versatile in the kitchen. Their full onion flavour becomes increasingly sweet with cooking, making them particularly good for roasting, caramelising, soups, sauces, stews and slow-cooked dishes. They can also be sliced fresh wherever a robust traditional onion is wanted.
Originating around Parma in northern Italy, Golden of Parma is an old regional variety valued for both eating quality and its ability to store through the colder months. Long-keeping onions such as this were particularly important historically, providing households with a dependable vegetable well beyond the growing season.
Golden of Parma is a long-day onion, requiring the longer daylight hours of late spring and summer to initiate and develop good bulbs. It is therefore best suited to cooler southern regions of Australia where summer days are sufficiently long for reliable bulb formation.
Onions have been cultivated since ancient times, with their origins generally traced to Central and Southwest Asia. Their versatility and ability to store for extended periods made them an important staple crop throughout the ancient world and eventually led to the enormous diversity of regional varieties grown today.
Seed count: approximately 240–400 seeds/g
Approximately 100 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Not recommended for reliable bulb production
Subtropics: Generally not suited as a bulbing onion
Mild southern climates: Winter to early spring
Cold climates: Winter to early spring
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep into prepared soil, seedbeds or trays. Keep consistently moist and lightly shade newly sown seed until germination is well established.
Transplant or thin seedlings to approximately 10–15 cm apart. Grow in full sun in rich, fertile, well-drained soil and maintain even moisture during active growth and bulb development.
As a long-day variety, Golden of Parma requires sufficiently long summer daylight hours for reliable bulb formation, making latitude and sowing time important considerations.
Reduce watering as the bulbs approach maturity. Harvest when the tops naturally yellow, dry and fall over. Lift carefully and cure thoroughly in a dry, airy, well-ventilated position before storing.
Once properly cured, Golden of Parma has excellent keeping qualities and can be stored for many months under cool, dry conditions with good air circulation.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Allium cepa
Purplette is an attractive early-maturing mini Onion producing small, rounded bulbs with glossy purple-red skin and crisp, mild flesh. Compact and quick to develop, it can be harvested at several stages depending on how you want to use it.
Pull the plants young and slender for use much like spring onions or shallots, or allow the bulbs to develop to approximately golf-ball size. The small bulbs have a mild, pleasantly sweet flavour and are excellent eaten fresh in salads, roasted whole or used in relishes and preserves. When cooked or pickled, the rich purple colouring softens to an attractive pink.
Its combination of small size and rapid maturity makes Purplette particularly useful for smaller gardens and successive sowings. The miniature bulbs are also an excellent size for pickling whole.
Purplette performs best in Australia’s cooler growing regions, where mild conditions encourage steady growth and good bulb development. Like other onions, it prefers full sun, fertile, well-drained soil and consistent moisture without waterlogging.
Onions have been cultivated since ancient times, with their origins generally traced to Central and Southwest Asia. Their versatility eventually led to an enormous diversity of forms, from large storage onions to small speciality varieties such as Purplette.
Seed count: approximately 240–400 seeds/g
Approximately 100 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Generally not ideally suited
Subtropics: Autumn to winter in cooler districts
Mild climates: Autumn to spring
Cold climates: Spring to autumn, according to local conditions
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep into prepared soil, seedbeds or trays. Keep consistently moist and lightly shade newly sown seed until germination is well established.
For small mature bulbs, thin or transplant seedlings to approximately 5–8 cm apart. Plants intended for harvesting young can be grown more closely and progressively thinned for use in the kitchen.
Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and maintain even moisture during active growth. Avoid excessive fertilising and waterlogged conditions.
Harvest young whenever the stems reach a useful size, or allow bulbs to develop to approximately golf-ball size. For mature bulbs, reduce watering as they approach harvest and lift once the tops begin to yellow and fall.
Maturity: approximately 60 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Allium cepa
Red Creole is a dependable short-day Onion producing rounded bulbs with rich, dark red skin and strongly coloured internal rings extending through towards the centre. Firm, attractive and flavourful, it is particularly well adapted to warm growing regions.
The crisp flesh has a robust onion flavour with a pleasant sweetness, making it excellent sliced fresh into salads, sandwiches, burgers and salsas. It is equally useful for pickling, roasting, grilling and general cooking, although the red colouring will soften with heat.
Red Creole is particularly valued for its performance in warmer climates. As a short-day onion, it begins forming bulbs under shorter daylight conditions than intermediate and long-day varieties, making it well suited to northern and subtropical regions of Australia. Autumn sowing allows plants to establish during the cooler months before developing bulbs as conditions become favourable.
It is also an excellent storage variety. Once the bulbs have matured fully and been properly cured, their firm texture and protective outer skins allow them to keep well for an extended period.
Onions have been cultivated since ancient times, with their origins generally traced to Central and Southwest Asia. Their versatility and ability to store made them an important staple crop throughout the ancient world and eventually led to varieties adapted to very different climates and day lengths.
Seed count: approximately 240–400 seeds/g
Approximately 100 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Autumn to winter
Subtropics: Autumn to winter
Warm temperate climates: Autumn
Cool climates: Generally choose an intermediate or long-day variety for more reliable bulb development
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep into prepared soil, seedbeds or trays in autumn. Keep consistently moist and lightly shade newly sown seed until germination is well established.
Transplant or thin seedlings to approximately 10–15 cm apart. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and maintain even moisture during active growth and bulb development.
As a short-day variety, Red Creole begins bulb formation under shorter daylight conditions, making it particularly suitable for lower-latitude Australian gardens.
Reduce watering as bulbs approach maturity. Harvest when the tops naturally yellow, dry and fall over. Lift carefully and cure thoroughly in a dry, airy, well-ventilated position before storing.
Maturity: approximately 110 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Allium cepa
Texas Early Grano is a classic American short-day Onion producing large, rounded to slightly top-shaped bulbs with pale yellow skin and crisp white flesh. Early maturing and well adapted to warmer climates, it is particularly prized for its mild, sweet flavour and low pungency.
The bulbs have relatively high water content and a gentle onion flavour, making them excellent eaten fresh in salads, sandwiches, burgers and salsas. They are also delicious grilled, roasted or caramelised, where their natural sweetness becomes even more pronounced.
Texas Early Grano has an important place in American onion history. Developed from the Spanish Grano onion and selected for production in Texas, it became an important parent of the sweet onions later grown around Vidalia, Georgia. The famous Vidalia name refers to sweet onions grown within a legally defined region of Georgia rather than to a single onion variety, but Texas Early Grano is closely connected to their development.
As a short-day onion, Texas Early Grano begins forming bulbs under shorter daylight conditions than intermediate and long-day varieties. This makes it particularly well suited to warmer and more northerly Australian regions, where long-day onions may fail to bulb properly.
Sweet onions generally contain more moisture and develop less protective storage tissue than strong-flavoured keeping onions. Texas Early Grano therefore has a short to medium storage life and is best enjoyed relatively soon after harvest.
Onions have been cultivated since ancient times, with their origins generally traced to Central and Southwest Asia. Their versatility eventually led to varieties adapted to very different climates, day lengths and culinary uses.
Seed count: approximately 240–400 seeds/g
Approximately 100 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Autumn to winter
Subtropics: Autumn to winter
Warm temperate climates: Autumn to winter
Cool climates: Generally choose an intermediate or long-day variety for more reliable bulb development
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep into prepared soil, seedbeds or trays. Keep consistently moist and lightly shade newly sown seed until germination is well established.
Transplant or thin seedlings to approximately 10–15 cm apart to allow the large bulbs room to develop. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and maintain even moisture during active growth.
As a short-day variety, Texas Early Grano initiates bulb formation under relatively short daylight conditions, making latitude and planting time important for successful production.
Reduce watering as bulbs approach maturity. Harvest when the tops naturally yellow, dry and fall over. Lift carefully and cure in a dry, airy, well-ventilated position.
Because of its sweet, succulent flesh, Texas Early Grano is not intended for very long storage and is best used fresh or within the months following harvest.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
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