Dakota Tears

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Golden globes with a luminous, sunlit sheen—Dakota Tears onions sweeten as they mature, offering a gentle bite and a juicy, crisp snap when you slice into their layered flesh.

The bulbs form with a classic yellow skin and a tight, well-filled interior that roasts beautifully for caramelized depth, while also shining fresh for bright, aromatic flavor in salads and salsas. Grow Dakota Tears for reliable, storage-minded harvests at about 100 days, with the kind of dependable performance that keeps your pantry feeling abundant long after the season turns.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 100 DaysHabit: Bulbing

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	Jul 27th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	100
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bulbing
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Dakota Tears reads like a classic yellow onion but behaves like a sweeter one once it’s matured—slice it for a watery-crisp crunch, or give it time and heat and it turns into glossy, evenly browned caramel. It’s the kind of onion that won’t bulldoze a dish with harshness, making it equally at home under gruyère or in a slow-reduced gravy.

Best Uses

caramelizing and jammy onion builds for burgers and steak toppings
slow-roasting or oven-braising until jam-thick and spoonable
thin slicing for crisp salads where it stays juicy, not sharp
frying/roasting for sweet-savory salsas and relish when you want some texture left intact

Flavor Profile

sweet-onion aromatics that mellow with time gentle, juicy bite with a crisp snap layered, tender rings that caramelize evenly roasty-sweet depth with a clean, lingering allium finish

Kitchen Pairings

balsamic vinegar thyme butter gruyère smoked sausage beef stock

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem is most common for Allium cepa (Dakota Tears) onions, and how can I prevent or treat it?

Onion downy mildew (caused by Peronospora destructor) shows up as gray-purple fuzzy growth on leaves and yellowing that progresses quickly in cool, humid weather. Improve airflow and avoid overhead watering, then remove and destroy infected leaves early to slow spread. If you’re seeing active mildew after long leaf wetness periods, treat promptly with a labeled fungicide that targets downy mildew on onions, following the label exactly.

How often should I water Allium cepa during the main growing phase?

During active leaf growth, keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 inch of water per week, split into 2–3 waterings if it doesn’t rain. When bulbs start to swell (typically mid-season), reduce frequency so the soil dries slightly between waterings; this helps bulbs mature and lowers rot risk. Use a finger test: the top 1–2 inches should feel evenly moist, not wet or waterlogged.

How do I tell when Dakota Tears onions are ready to harvest?

Harvest when about 50–75% of the leaves have naturally fallen over and the remaining leaves are yellowing, not still actively green and upright. Gently lift one bulb to check: the bulb should have a firm, well-developed skin with outer layers papery. Stop watering about 1–2 weeks before harvest to help skins dry, then cure in a warm, airy place for 2–3 weeks before storage.