Grown Purple Top Walla Walla?

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Purple Top Walla Walla — Onions & alliums

125-300days to harvest

7-14days to germinate

Z5–10USDA zones

Moderatedifficulty

HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Start seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost or direct sow in fall in mild climates. Plant sets in early spring 4-6 weeks before last frost.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: 1 inch per week, consistent moisture early season, reduce near harvest
Soil: Well-drained, fertile loam with high organic matter
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Spacing: 4-6 inches
Height: 12-18 inches
Season: Cool season

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Purple-bronze skin with white flesh
Size: 3-5 inches diameter, 8-16 oz
Shape: Large, flattened globe, slightly top-shaped
Flavour: Exceptionally sweet and mild with low sulfur content, crisp texture

In the kitchen

Fresh eating, salads, sandwiches, grilling, caramelizing. Short storage life of 1-3 months.

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Onion thrips, onion maggot, cutworms
Diseases: Downy mildew, purple blotch, neck rot, pink root
Resistance: Moderate resistance to pink root, susceptible to downy mildew and thrips damage

Planting calendar by USDA zone

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

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 4 to avoid.

CarrotsOnions repel carrot fly while carrots help break up soil for onion bulbs

TomatoesOnions deter aphids, spider mites, and hornworms from tomato plants

Brassicas (Cabbage, Broccoli)Onions repel cabbage worms, aphids, and flea beetles

LettuceOnions provide natural pest deterrent while lettuce doesn't compete for space

PeppersOnions help repel aphids and other soft-bodied insects that damage peppers

StrawberriesOnions deter slugs, aphids, and other pests that commonly attack strawberry plants

RosesOnions help repel aphids, thrips, and may reduce black spot disease

MarigoldsBoth plants repel nematodes and various garden pests when grown together

Avoid

BeansOnions can inhibit nitrogen fixation in legumes and stunt their growth

PeasAllelopathic compounds from onions interfere with pea plant development

AsparagusOnions can inhibit asparagus growth and reduce spear production

SageBoth plants compete for similar nutrients and can inhibit each other's growth

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.

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 Purple Top Walla Walla?

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