Dakota Tears

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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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

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Dakota Tears Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 8th	Aug 16th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Aug 16th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 12th	Aug 20th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Aug 16th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 6th	Aug 14th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Aug 9th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	Apr 27th	Aug 5th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	Apr 24th	Aug 2nd – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 18th	Jul 27th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 13th	Jul 22nd – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 3rd	Jul 12th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Mar 25th	Jul 3rd – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 16th	Jun 24th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Feb 27th	Jun 7th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 2nd	May 13th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 9th – Feb 28th

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.