Ailsa Craig Onion - Allium cepa

<p style="text-align: justify"><span class="attr"><strong>The <a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/vegetable-gardens/vegetables-by-variety/onions.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">onion</a></strong> is a root vegetable from the <strong>Liliaceae</strong> family, which includes many culinary and aromatic plants such as <a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/gardening-tips/familysheet/garlic-planting-growing-harvesting-in-the-vegetable-garden/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">garlic</a>, shallot, leek, and chives. The onion is grown as a <strong>vegetable</strong> and as a <strong>condiment</strong>, <strong>its bulb is the most commonly consumed part, but the leaves and stems, like chives, are also edible.</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><span class="attr">Onions are commonly classified into two categories: <strong>spring onions and storage onions (known as "keeping" onions)</strong>. The former are harvested with their fresh leaves and consumed whole. These are often white onion varieties such as <strong>'Blanc Printanier Parisien'</strong> and <strong>'Rouge de Florence'</strong>, both of which have a sweet flesh, making them excellent for salads and raw dishes. </span><span class="attr">Storage onions can also be harvested fresh, but they are most often harvested dry at maturity. Among them, I particularly like the onion <strong>'Stuggart'</strong>, which produces large yellow bulbs that store well. As a proud Finistérien, I can only recommend the Johnnies onion; the variety <strong>'Rosé de Roscoff'</strong> even has an AOC (Controlled Designation of Origin) in Haut-Léon. It is a marvel that, when raw, develops fruity aromas with a mild pungency and a juicy, crunchy texture. When cooked, its texture becomes tender and the sweet flavour dominates. Generally speaking, <strong>varietal choice is very important</strong>, with over 1000 varieties listed in the European catalogue. What is even more interesting is that there are many local varieties in France, adapted to different terroirs. That is why I encourage you to seek out and grow varieties from your region.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify">Growing onions requires a <strong>sunny exposure</strong> and <strong>light soil</strong>, which should be quite <strong>draining</strong> and <strong>fertile</strong> but <strong>without fresh manure</strong>. Depending on the variety, onions can be sown in spring or autumn, or planted from bulbils, most often in spring. Maintenance during the growing season involves regular weeding and hoeing, as well as monitoring for a common pest, <strong>the onion fly</strong>.</p> [caption id="attachment_45162" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]<img class="size-full wp-image-45162" src="https://www.promessedefleurs.com/blogwp/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/oignon-rouge.jpg" alt="Red onions" width="1200" height="826" /> Red onions</caption>