Vidalia Onion
Allium cepa 'Vidalia'
The famous sweet onion from Georgia, prized for its mild flavor and exceptional sweetness that allows it to be eaten raw like an apple. These large, golden onions have become synonymous with Southern cooking and are perfect for caramelizing, grilling, or enjoying fresh in salads. Their low sulfur content and high sugar content make them a favorite among gardeners who want to grow restaurant-quality sweet onions at home.
Harvest
110-120d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
5–10
USDA hardiness
Height
12-18 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Vidalia Onion in USDA Zone 7
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Vidalia Onion · Zones 5–10
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | May – June | August – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | April – June | August – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | April – May | August – November |
| Zone 6 | — | — | April – May | July – November |
| Zone 7 | — | — | March – May | July – November |
| Zone 8 | — | — | March – April | June – December |
| Zone 9 | — | — | February – March | May – December |
| Zone 10 | — | — | January – March | May – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches, 12 inches-3 feet. Maintenance: Medium. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Flowers wither and convert to bulblets
Type: Capsule.
Harvest time: Summer
Bloom time: Summer
Storage & Preservation
Vidalia onions have a notably shorter storage life than storage onions due to their high sugar and water content. After harvest, cure in a single layer in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area for 2-3 weeks until necks are completely dry and papery. Store properly cured bulbs in a cool, dry place with good air circulation - they'll keep 2-4 months maximum.
Refrigerate individual onions wrapped in paper towels for up to 6 weeks, or store whole bulbs in mesh bags in the refrigerator crisper. Their high sugar content makes them excellent for caramelizing and freezing - slice and sauté until golden, then freeze in portions for up to 8 months. They also excel in pickled preparations, maintaining their signature sweetness while developing complex flavors. Avoid long-term room temperature storage, as their high moisture content leads to sprouting and rot faster than conventional storage onions.
History & Origin
Vidalia onions originated in the 1930s near Vidalia, Georgia, when farmer Mose Coleman discovered his onions were unusually sweet compared to typical pungent varieties. The exceptional sweetness resulted from the unique combination of low-sulfur soil conditions in southeastern Georgia's sandy loam and the region's specific climate patterns.
The variety gained commercial recognition in the 1940s when the Piggly Wiggly grocery chain began marketing them as 'Vidalia Sweet Onions.' By 1986, Georgia passed the Vidalia Onion Act, making 'Vidalia' a legally protected name that can only be applied to sweet onions grown in designated counties around Vidalia, Georgia.
In 1990, Vidalia onions received federal trademark protection, making them one of only three vegetables with geographic trademark status in the United States. The original varieties were open-pollinated short-day onions, but modern Vidalia onions are typically F1 hybrids bred specifically for enhanced sweetness and uniformity. Today's varieties maintain the original's characteristic low pyruvate levels (which create pungency) while improving disease resistance and storage capability.
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Black Walnut, Deer, Rabbits
Considerations
- -Toxic: Low severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Tomatoes
Onions repel aphids, spider mites, and tomato hornworms while improving tomato flavor
Carrots
Onions deter carrot rust flies, while carrots help break up soil for onion bulb development
Cabbage
Onions repel cabbage worms, cabbage loopers, and flea beetles from brassicas
Lettuce
Onions provide natural pest protection without competing for nutrients or space
Peppers
Onions deter aphids and other soft-bodied insects that commonly attack pepper plants
Strawberries
Onions repel slugs, aphids, and other pests while not interfering with berry production
Broccoli
Onions help protect against cabbage moths and root maggots that target brassicas
Marigolds
Both plants repel nematodes and work synergistically for comprehensive pest control
Keep Apart
Beans
Onions can inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation by releasing allelopathic compounds
Peas
Onions stunt pea growth and interfere with their ability to fix nitrogen in soil
Asparagus
Onions can slow asparagus establishment and may reduce spear production
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170000)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Moderate resistance to pink root and fusarium basal rot
Common Pests
Onion thrips, onion maggots, wireworms
Diseases
Downy mildew, purple blotch, neck rot, pink root