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Innovator — Onions & alliums | DarkGrow Seed Bank

Name: Innovator
Brand: DarkGrow Seed Bank

110days to harvest

7-14 daysdays to germinate

Z5–10USDA zones

Easydifficulty

F1 hybrid

Sowing

Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost, or direct sow in early spring

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: Regular, consistent moisture; approximately 1 inch per week
Soil: Well-drained loam, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.0)
Spacing: 4-6 inches
Height: 12-18 inches
Season: Warm season annual

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Reddish-bronze
Shape: Elongated singular bulb
Flavour: Mild to moderately pungent onion flavor with balanced sweetness, typical of storage onion varieties.

In the kitchen

Slicing, caramelizing, roasting, long-term storage, soups, stews, general cooking

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Onion flies, thrips, cutworms, nematodes
Diseases: Fusarium basal rot, downy mildew, pink root rot, white rot

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
1	—	—	June – July	September
2	—	—	May – July	September
3	—	—	May – June	August – October
4	—	—	April – June	August – October
5	—	—	April – May	August – November
6	—	—	April – May	July – November
7	—	—	March – May	July – November
8	—	—	March – April	June – December
9	—	—	February – March	May – December
10	—	—	January – March	May – December
11	—	—	January – February	April – December
12	—	—	January – February	April – December
13	—	—	January – February	April – December

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

TomatoesAlliums repel aphids, spider mites, and hornworms that commonly attack tomatoes

CarrotsAlliums deter carrot flies while carrots help break up soil for allium bulbs

CabbageAlliums repel cabbage worms, aphids, and flea beetles from brassicas

RosesAlliums deter aphids and may reduce black spot disease in roses

LettuceAlliums repel aphids and slugs while providing natural pest protection

PeppersAlliums deter aphids and may improve pepper growth and flavor

StrawberriesAlliums repel aphids, slugs, and nematodes that damage strawberry plants

CucumbersAlliums deter cucumber beetles and aphids while improving overall plant health

Avoid

BeansAlliums can inhibit nitrogen fixation and stunt bean growth

PeasAlliums interfere with nitrogen-fixing bacteria and can reduce pea yields

AsparagusAlliums can compete for nutrients and may inhibit asparagus spear development

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 40
Protein (g): 1.1
Fat (g): 0.1
Carbohydrate (g): 9.34
Fibre (g): 1.7
Sugars (g): 4.24
Vitamin A (µg): 0
Vitamin C (mg): 7.4
Vitamin E (mg): 0.02
Vitamin K (µg): 0.4
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.12
Folate (µg): 19
Calcium (mg): 23
Iron (mg): 0.21
Magnesium (mg): 10
Phosphorus (mg): 29
Potassium (mg): 146
Zinc (mg): 0.17
Selenium (µg): 0.5

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Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the onions & alliums growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Innovator

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Innovator?

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