Best onions to grow in oklahoma

If you’re growing onions in Oklahoma, you need varieties that handle our swings between cold snaps and hot, dry springs. The best choices are short-day and intermediate-day onions, planted in the fall or late winter, depending on your zone. In this guide, I’ll give you specific varieties, planting dates, and steps to get a solid crop this year.

Understanding Onion Day-Length Needs

Onions bulb based on day length. Oklahoma sits in a transition zone, so you want short-day or intermediate-day types. Short-day onions start bulbing at 10-12 hours of daylight, which works for southern Oklahoma (zone 7). Intermediate-day onions need 12-14 hours, better for northern Oklahoma (zone 6). If you plant lon g-day onions, they’ll grow lots of tops but small bulbs because our summer days aren’t long enough.

Best Varieties for Oklahoma

Here are proven varieties for Oklahoma, with notes on flavor and storage.

Variety	Type	Days to Maturity	Flavor	Storage
‘Red Creole’	Short-day	95-110	Pungent	2-3 months
‘Texas SuperSweet’	Short-day	100-110	Sweet, mild	1-2 months
‘Candy’	Intermediate	100-110	Sweet, mild	2-3 months
‘Red Burgermaster’	Intermediate	110-120	Mild, slightly sweet	3-4 months
‘Yellow Granex’ (Vidalia type)	Short-day	100-110	Sweet	1-2 months
‘White Bermuda’	Short-day	95-105	Mild	1-2 months

For storage, ‘Red Burgermaster’ is your best bet. For fresh eating, ‘Texas SuperSweet’ or ‘Candy’ are excellent.

When to Plant in Oklahoma

Oklahoma spans zones 6a to 7b. Here are the general planting windows:

• Zone 6 (northern OK): Plant sets or transplants in late March to early April for a summer harvest. For fall planting, aim for September 15 to October 15.
• Zone 7 (central and southern OK): Plant sets or transplants in February to early March. For fall planting, October 1 to November 1.

If you’re starting from seed, sow indoors 8-10 weeks before your transplant date. For example, in zone 7, start seeds in early January for February transplanting.

How to Plant Onions in Oklahoma

Onions need well-drained soil, full sun (at least 6 hours), and consistent moisture. Here’s the step-by-step:

1. Prepare the soil: Test pH, aim for 6.0-7.0. Add compost or aged manure a few weeks before planting. Work in a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 at 1 pound per 100 square feet.
2. Plant sets or transplants: Space them 4-6 inches apart in rows 12-18 inches apart. Plant sets 1 inch deep, with the tip just below the surface. Transplants should be planted at the same depth they were in the pot.
3. Water: Give 1 inch of water per week, more if it’s hot and dry. Mulch with straw to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
4. Fertilize: Side-dress with nitrogen (like blood meal or 21-0-0) when plants are about 6 inches tall, then again when bulbs start to swell.

Caring for Onions Through the Season

• Weeds: Keep the bed weed-free, especially early. Onions don’t compete well.
• Pests: Watch for thrips and onion maggots. Use row covers early, and rotate crops each year.
• Diseases: Avoid overhead watering to reduce fungal issues. Ensure good air circulation.
• Stop watering: When tops start to yellow and fall over, stop watering to help bulbs cure.

Harvesting and Storing

Harvest when about half the tops have fallen over. Gently lift bulbs with a fork, let them dry in the field for a day, then cure in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area for 2-3 weeks. After curing, trim tops and roots, and store in a cool, dry place (40-50°F) in mesh bags or braids.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Planting too deep: Bulbs need to sit at soil level to expand. If planted too deep, they’ll rot or be misshapen.
• Overwatering: Onions need consistent moisture but not soggy soil. Too much water leads to rot.
• Choosing the wrong day-length type: Stick to short or intermediate types. Long-day onions will disappoint.
• Skipping soil test: Onions are sensitive to pH and nutrient levels. A $10 soil test can save you a failed crop.

FAQ

Can I grow onions from seed in Oklahoma? Yes, but it takes longer. Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before transplanting. For zone 7, start in January. For zone 6, start in February.

What’s the best way to store onions? After curing, store in a cool, dry place with good air circulation. Mesh bags or pantyhose work well. Avoid plastic bags, which trap moisture.

Why are my onions flowering instead of bulbing? This is called bolting. It happens when plants are exposed to cold temperatures after being established. Use sets that are less prone to bolting, and plant at the right time. If you see a flower stalk, cut it off immediately to redirect energy to the bulb.

How many onions can I expect per pound of sets? A pound of sets (about 50-60 sets) will give you roughly 50-60 onions, assuming you plant them all. That’s enough for a family of four for a season.

The Bottom Line

For Oklahoma, choose short-day or intermediate-day onions like ‘Red Creole’, ‘Texas SuperSweet’, or ‘Candy’. Plant in the fall or early spring depending on your zone, give them well-drained soil and consistent water, and harvest when tops fall over. With a little care, you’ll have a pantry full of homegrown onions by mid-summer.