Heirloom Seeds & Poultry
1878 230th Street, Calamus, IA 52729
(563) 246-2299
perennial onion
These are sold as top sets sent in August and the first of September. You may order them at any time but the shipping window is during the Fall season. When you receive them you should separate the sets and plant about 4 inches apart in the Fall and then you can harvest the young onions as green onions in the spring. Leave some to produce top sets and you will have a good supply in a few years.
Egyptian Winter
Egyptian Winter- A very nice treat in the early Spring when they are frequently the first things edible from the garden. This is a top setting type, where you harvest the topsets in late August, separate them, and then plant them. The roots grow slowly all winter and you eat the tender shoots as mild green onions first thing in the Spring. The topsets will be shipped in August until we run out. Our strain came form a farm I rented from 1985 to 1988. It was a homesteaded from the mid 1800's by a German immigrant family and this variety was growing on the farm when I was there. 25-50 sets $6.00 . Not available until Mid August.
Catawissa Walking Onion
Catawissa Walking Onion- a rare heirloom sent to us that is a taller more vigorous plant than the traditional type. The topsets will be shipped in late August. This one is different from our Egyptian Winter as it constantly tends to try to set even more topsets on extensions from the first set of topsets. 25-50 sets $6.00. Unavailable until mid August.
ONIONS FROM SEED
( 11 varieties to choose from) UPDATED FOR 2024
Best suited to be direct seeded in the ground as soon as possible in the spring. Keep weed free. Thin and transplant later as needed. Or you can start indoors 4- 6 weeks earlier prior to setting them out. Make sure you provide them with adequate and moderate temperatures so they develop slowly and do not become leggy before transplanting.
11 varieties to choose from) UPDATED FOR 2021
Best suited to be direct seeded in the ground as soon as possible in the spring. Keep weed free. Thin and transplant later as needed. Or you can start indoors 4- 6 weeks earlier prior to setting them out. Make sure you provide them with adequate and moderate temperatures so they develop slowly and do not become leggy before transplanting.
Ailsa Craig
Ailsa Craig - 110 days - A very large sweet onion. Best used soon after harvest. These can get quite large and when grown in proper conditions are very mild. Approximately 500 seeds/pkt. Pkt. $2.00
Australian Brown
Australian Brown-100 days- First introduced in 1897 , large flavorful , good keeper. Typical to be able to keep in proper storage for 6-7 months. Pkt. $2.50
Borettana Cipollini
Borettana Cipollini- 100 days- An old Italian heirloom producing flat, yellow skinned onions. Unique shape, thick layers, good textured flesh. Approximately 500 seeds/pkt. Pkt. $2.00
Ishikura Winter
Ishikura Winter- a superb hardy green bunching onion. When I lived in a mild winter climate they did well all winter. Pkt. $2.50
Newburg Long Storage
Newburg Long Storage- 100 days- A selection made by Dr. Alan Kapular from a European hybrid that is excellent for organic production and storage. Approximately 500 seeds/pkt.. UNAVAILABLE FOR 2024
New York Early
New York Early- 100 days- a early open pollinated yellow onion. Pkt. $2.50
Parma Yellow
Parma Yellow- 105 days- A variety form Italy dating back to 1896. Yellow skin with firm rings making it a good keeper. Approximately 100 seeds/Pkt. Pkt. $3.00 Certified Organic Seed Organic Seed.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy- 100 days- A very good substitute for Red Wethersfield. Flattened, purple red skin, sometimes strong but a good keeper. Approximately 500 seeds/pkt. Pkt. $2.00
Red Wethersfield
Red Wethersfield- 100 days- First offered in 1834, the long time standard for red onions. Wethersfield, Connecticut was famous for the crop at one point in history. Large, deep red slicing onion. It is also a good keeping onion. Approximately 250 seeds/pkt. Pkt $2.50
Rosa Lunga di Tropea
Rosa Lunga di Tropea- 110 days- (aka Red Torpedo) Italian Heirloom. Long, red, torpedo shaped onions. Not a long keeping onion, but sweet and tasty. Approximately 500 seeds/pkt. Pkt. $2.00
Walla Walla
Walla Walla- 100 days+/- Does best if Fall planted where possible and produces a very sweet onion in early summer. When Spring planted, size is not as big but quality is still very sweet. Approximately 500 seeds/pkt. Pkt. $2.00
White Portugal
White Portugal- 105 days- Best used as a green onion for bunching but will develop some nice, small sized round onions suitable for boiling or pickling. Approximately 500 seeds/pkt. Pkt. $2.25
Yellow Sweet Spanish
Yellow Sweet Spanish - 115 days - Large, yellow globe, average keeper onions will store well until January or February. Approximately 1000 seeds/pkt. Pkt. $2.25