Frequently Asked Questions
The New Dixondale Farms Site
I placed my order online last season. Do I still need to register on the new site?
Yes. You need to register for a new account, as previous accounts were unable to be transferred. This also means that you no longer have access to your previous orders. With that being said, if you would like to know which varieties you ordered in the past, give us a call at 830-876-2430 or send Customer Service an email; they’ll be happy to assist you with this information. Moving forward, you will have access to your order information in your account on our new site.
Where is the Copra variety?
As we’ve been mentioning for a couple of seasons in our catalog and on our website, the Copra variety’s reign has come to an end. Copra has been a customer favorite for quite some time, but no need to worry! Patterson is our new replacement that will continue to provide you with all of Copra’s best qualities plus more. When you head over to our new site, add Patterson to your cart as Copra will no longer be available for purchase. Read more about Patterson in our most recent blog post that explains how the Copra variety became extinct.
Ordering
Which onion plants should I order?
Onion plants come in three different daylengths: short, intermediate, and long. When selecting your onion varieties, remember that the further north you are, the more hours of daylight you have during the summer. For help finding the right onion plant varieties for your area, consult our comprehensive Onion Plant Daylength Guide.
When should I order my plants?
You can order your onion plants whenever you like, and we’ll ship at your requested date. If you’re ordering from our catalog, your customer number is located on the back cover, above or beside your name on the mailing label. Payment is required when your order is placed so your plants will be reserved for you to ship on the day you requested.
Planting
How many plants are in a bunch or bundle?
We use the term bunch or bundle interchangeably, but each contains approximately 50-75 plants. We try to ship nice, large plants that will quickly establish a root system.
If I can’t plant when I receive my plants, how do I store them?
When you receive your plants, immediately take them out of the box and spread them out in a cool, dry area. DO NOT PUT THEM IN WATER OR SOIL while waiting to plant. The plants are in a dormant state, and should be planted as soon as possible. The roots and tops may begin to dry out, but don’t be alarmed—as a member of the lily family, the onion can live for three weeks off of the bulb.
When should I plant?
The recommended planting time is 4-6 weeks before your last average frost date, if the weather is agreeable.
Onion Plant Care
Should I water the onions when I first plant them?
Yes, the transplants should be watered immediately after being planted. They won’t grow new roots unless the soil is loose and moist, so it’s important to maintain adequate moisture. Avoid overhead irrigation, which encourages foliage diseases.
How often should I fertilize?
The first application should be while planting with a fertilizer that has a higher number in the middle, such as our Dixondale Onion Special Fertilizer (10-20-10). Then, three weeks after planting start using a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, such as our Dixondale Farms’ Ammonium Sulfate (21-0-0); then repeat the process every 2-3 weeks. Stop fertilizing when the onions start to bulb, which is about three weeks before harvest.
Should I pull the dirt back from the onion when it starts to bulb?
The bulbing process is gradual, and there’s no reason to pull dirt away as long as you keep the soil loose. In fact, pulling the dirt away can cause sunscalding (sunburn) of the onion skin. Remember that the bulbing process requires more moisture in any case; if you increase watering, the soil should remain loose.
Harvesting and Storage
How do I know when my onions are ready for harvest?
An onion is fully mature when the top falls over. Bending the top over will only stop the bulbing process, so don’t be too eager to harvest. You don’t have to wait until all the tops fall completely over to harvest, but harvesting early may cause the onion to sprout during storage since it hasn’t finished the bulbing process.
How do I harvest?
Once the tops have fallen over, pull the onions out of the ground and let them dry in the garden for a few days. It’s a good idea to cover the bulb of one onion with the top of another to prevent sunscald. When you remove the onions from the field, clip the roots at the base and clip the tops as well, but leave 3/4-inch of the neck to seal and protect the interior from decay. Discard any decaying onions. Never let a single decayed onion touch another, since the decaying process will spread.
Any tips for storage?
Store your onions in a cool, dry place. Sweet onions store for a maximum of three months, but storage types will last throughout the winter. The best way to store them is in mesh nettings or pantyhose, hung in a well ventilated area.