Frequently Asked Questions
What Makes Walla Walla Special?
Walla Walla, Washington is "The town so nice, we named it twice". Agriculture has always played an important role in the local economy of the Walla Walla valley. As a group, Walla Walla County's farms are the oldest in the state. Wheat, peas, strawberries, wine grapes, alfalfa seed and hay, and the world famous Walla Walla Sweet Onion grow in the region's rich volcanic soil.
How long will they keep?
If kept separate in a cool, ventilated location, the Sweets can be stored for up to six weeks.
Can I freeze them?
Chop them up and put them in sealed freezer bags and have them all winter long for soups, spaghetti sauces, or any cooked casserole calling for onion.
Where did the Walla Walla Sweet onion originate?
On the island of Corsica off the west coast of Italy. A French solider, Peter Pieri, found an Italian sweet onion seed and brought it to Walla Walla (Native American for "many waters") in the late 1800s. Impressed by the onion's winter hardiness, Pieri, and immigrant farmers who comprised much of the Walla Walla's gardening industry, harvested the seed.
Why are you calling it an Genuine Walla Walla Sweet Onion?
Law controls the marketing of Walla Walla Sweet Onions, which must be grown in a specified area of the Walla Walla valley to claim the name. This variety is available from June through August.
About planting...
- How many pounds of Walla Walla Sweet Onion Seed does it take to plant an acre?
- Two (2) pounds.
- How long of a row can I plant with the packet of seed?
- If you plant a row with three seeds to the inch you can plant a row 55 feet long.
- Won't these onions be planted too close together?
- Yes. But you start thinning them when they are table green onion size and use them. Leave about four inches between plants so there is room for them to mature.
Where can you grow Walla Walla Sweet Onions?
The Walla Walla Sweet Onion will grow in other areas and give you an excellent eating onion. They just may not be as sweet as if they were grown in the Walla Walla valley.
How and when do I plant?
Most people will plant the seed in their gardens in September and October. Some will plant the seed or transplant the young plants in the spring. Onions for green or table use can be seeded until mid-July for fall use. Seedlings made in August will normally winter over for spring use. Onion sets can be planted any time during the fall and winter if the soil is well drained and workable.
Good luck with your harvest!