Hybrid

Dash

Allium fistulosum x cepa

Wikimedia Commons

Our recommendation for the early slot. Reduced bulbing results in a more refined end product and upright leaves allow for easier cultivation and cleaner harvests. Compared to Guardsman, Dash is quicker to mature, more upright, and less likely to form bulbs under stress. For overwintering, we recommend 'Marksman'. Dash is prone to bolting when overwintered.

Harvest

50d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

4–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-3 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Dash in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 allium →

Zone Map

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Dash · Zones 4–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing4-6 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with moderate organic matter

WaterRegular, consistent moisture; keep soil evenly moist

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorMild, refined onion flavor with clean, delicate taste; less assertive than bulbing varieties.

ColorLight green to white

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	—	May – June	June – October
Zone 4	—	—	April – June	June – October
Zone 5	—	—	April – May	June – November
Zone 6	—	—	April – May	May – November
Zone 7	—	—	March – May	May – November
Zone 8	—	—	March – April	April – December
Zone 9	—	—	February – March	March – December
Zone 10	—	—	January – March	March – December
Zone 1	—	—	June – July	July – September
Zone 2	—	—	May – July	July – September
Zone 11	—	—	January – February	February – December
Zone 12	—	—	January – February	February – December
Zone 13	—	—	January – February	February – December

Succession Planting

Direct sow Dash every 14 days starting March 1 in zone 7, continuing through early May. Then rest the bed and pick it back up in late August, sowing again through mid-September for a fall run. Skip anything in between — germination gets unreliable once daytime highs sit consistently above 85°F, and seedlings that sprout into that heat tend to bolt before they size up. At 50 days to harvest, a September 15 sowing still finishes comfortably ahead of a typical zone 7 November frost.

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Division. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Dash reaches harvest at 50 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

The capsule splits longitudinally and contains small round black seeds.

Type: Capsule.

Storage & Preservation

Store freshly harvested Dash bulbs in a cool, dark location between 32–40°F with moderate humidity, ideally in mesh bags or crates that allow air circulation. Properly cured bulbs keep for 3–4 months under these conditions. For longer preservation, freeze diced or sliced bulbs raw in freezer bags—they work best in cooked dishes rather than fresh applications. Alternatively, dry thin slices in a dehydrator at 135°F until brittle, then store in airtight containers for 6–12 months. Pickling is also effective; pack whole small bulbs with vinegar, spices, and salt in sterilized jars. Because Dash produces both elongated white stems and small bulbs, you can harvest green tops early for immediate use while allowing bulbs to mature for storage, maximizing yield from a single planting.

History & Origin

Dash is an F1 hybrid developed through controlled cross-pollination. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Northern Hemisphere, North America and Eurasia

Advantages

+Quick maturation at 50 days makes Dash ideal for early season production
+Upright leaf growth simplifies cultivation and enables cleaner, easier harvests
+Reduced bulbing tendency produces refined, market-ready end products
+Stress-resistant variety less prone to unwanted bulb formation
+Easy difficulty rating makes Dash suitable for beginner growers

Considerations

-Prone to bolting when overwintered, limiting season extension potential
-Not recommended for winter storage or long-term cold exposure
-Less suitable than Marksman for overwintering operations

Companion Plants

Tomatoes, peppers, and carrots are the most practical neighbors for Dash. The sulfur compounds that make alliums pungent confuse insects — including aphids and carrot fly (Psila rosae) — that hunt by smell, so planting Dash within a foot or two of those crops gives them some passive cover. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) add a second layer of scent interference near the soil surface. Beans, peas, and asparagus are a different story: allium root exudates measurably inhibit legume germination and growth, and NC State Extension flags that incompatibility specifically — don't assume you can squeeze them into the same bed and get away with it.

Plant Together

Tomatoes

Alliums repel aphids, spider mites, and other tomato pests while improving flavor

Carrots

Alliums deter carrot fly and root maggots, while carrots help break up soil for allium bulbs

Lettuce

Alliums repel aphids and slugs that commonly attack lettuce leaves

Cabbage

Alliums deter cabbage worms, flea beetles, and other brassica pests

Roses

Alliums repel aphids, black spot fungus, and Japanese beetles from rose bushes

Peppers

Alliums deter aphids, spider mites, and nematodes that attack pepper plants

Strawberries

Alliums repel slugs, aphids, and spider mites while improving strawberry flavor

Marigolds

Both plants repel similar pests and create a strong pest-deterrent combination

Keep Apart

Beans

Alliums can inhibit nitrogen fixation in legumes and stunt their growth

Peas

Allium compounds interfere with pea growth and nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Asparagus

Alliums can stunt asparagus growth and reduce spear production

Nutrition Facts

Calories

40kcal(2%)

Protein

1.1g(2%)

Fiber

1.7g(6%)

Carbs

9.34g(3%)

Fat

0.1g(0%)

Vitamin C

7.4mg(8%)

Vitamin A

0mcg(0%)

Vitamin K

0.4mcg(0%)

Iron

0.21mg(1%)

Calcium

23mg(2%)

Potassium

146mg(3%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170000)

Troubleshooting Dash

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Leaves turning yellow from the tip down, often soft and water-soaked at the base of the plant

Likely Causes

Neck rot (Botrytis allii) — common in wet, poorly drained soil or after heavy rain
Overwatering combined with low airflow between plants

What to Do

1.Pull and discard affected plants — don't compost them
2.Let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again
3.Thin to at least 4 inches apart so air can move through the bed

White or pale streaks running lengthwise along leaves, with fine webbing visible if you look closely

Likely Causes

Onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) — tiny, barely visible insects that rasp leaf tissue and feed on the sap
Hot, dry conditions that favor thrips population explosions

What to Do

1.Knock thrips off with a strong stream of water, hitting both sides of each leaf
2.Apply insecticidal soap or spinosad, repeating every 5–7 days for two to three rounds
3.Keep soil consistently moist — drought-stressed plants draw heavier thrips pressure

Orange or brown powdery pustules on leaves, appearing in cool, humid weather

Likely Causes

Leek rust (Puccinia allii) — a fungal disease that spreads by windborne spores and moves fast in dense plantings

What to Do

1.Remove and bag heavily infected leaves; trash them, don't compost
2.Open up the planting to at least 6 inches between plants and switch to drip irrigation or hand-watering at the base
3.A copper-based fungicide can slow spread if applied before pustules cover more than 20–30% of the canopy

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Dash onion take to mature?▼

Dash reaches harvest maturity in approximately 50 days from transplant. This makes it an excellent choice for the early growing season slot, as it matures faster than many comparable varieties like Guardsman, allowing you to maximize your growing space and succession plantings throughout the season.

Is Dash onion good for beginners?▼

Yes, Dash is rated as Easy difficulty, making it ideal for beginner gardeners. Its upright growth habit simplifies cultivation and harvesting, and it's less prone to stress-induced bulbing compared to other varieties. These characteristics make it forgiving and rewarding for new growers.

Can you grow Dash onion in containers?▼

Yes, Dash can be grown in containers given adequate spacing. Plant 4-6 inches apart in containers at least 12 inches deep. Ensure containers have drainage holes and consistent moisture. Container growing works well for this upright variety since its compact growth habit suits confined spaces.

What does Dash onion taste like?▼

Dash produces a refined end product with a milder onion flavor profile. The reduced bulbing tendency means a cleaner, more delicate taste compared to heavily bulbed varieties. It's versatile for both raw and cooked applications in cooking.

When should I plant Dash onion?▼

Plant Dash in the early growing season for best results. It requires full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours daily) and prefers cool-season growth conditions. Avoid overwintering Dash, as it's prone to bolting. Spring planting is recommended for optimal performance and quick maturation.

Is Dash or Guardsman better for early season growing?▼

Dash is the superior choice for early season planting. It matures faster than Guardsman, maintains a more upright growth habit for easier harvesting, and is less likely to form bulbs under stress. This makes Dash more reliable for quick turnaround harvests in the early slot.