Crops

Onion

Onions are a cool-season crop that requires a long growing season to produce high quality bulbs and good yields. Medium to light loam soils with good drainage are best suited for onion production. Onions have limited root systems so irrigation is essential, especially in dry years. Weed control is also critical and difficult, and on most farms is the most limiting factor in onion production. Onions bulb according to day length and only long-day and intermediate-day types are recommended for New England.

For Current information on production methods (including varieties, spacing, seeding, and fertility), weed, disease, and insect management, please visit the New England Vegetable Management Guide website.

Below you will find additional information on managing this crop, including photos of insects and diseases in this crop, fact sheets, articles, and power point presentations, when available.

Insect List

• Cutworm Black
• Cutworm Veriegated
• Onion Maggot
• Onion Thrips

Disease List

• Botrytis Leaf Blight
• Neck Rot (Botrytis)
• Downy Mildew (Peronospora)
• Purple Blotch (Alternaria)

Articles

• Botrytis Diseases of Onions