Texas Legend

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Sweetly aromatic and richly mellow, Texas Legend forms handsome, globe-to-flattened bulbs with a warm golden-brown papery skin that slips away to reveal crisp, pale layers.

The flavor leans gentle and sweet rather than sharp, with a satisfying crunch that holds beautifully for fresh use and everyday flavor-building. A short-day favorite for home gardeners, it’s ideal for roasting, sautéing, and slow-simmered sauces where its natural sweetness can shine.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 110 DaysHabit: Bulbing

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 23rd
Harvest Begins	Sep 10th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	110
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)	50
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Texas Legend is built for cooks who want onion flavor that reads sweet and aromatic, not strident. Its crisp layers stay snappy in fresh use and collapse into a mellow, buttery sweetness when you give it time in a pan or pot.

Best Uses

thinly sliced raw or lightly dressed in salads where you want crunch without harshness
caramelizing or browning for a glossy, sweet pan base
roasting until jammy and tender for whole-bulb or wedge caramel notes
slow-simmered sauces and braises where it melts down without turning sharp

Flavor Profile

sweetly mellow onion taste crisp, clean crunch warm aromatic sweetness with low bite

Kitchen Pairings

balsamic vinegar thyme garlic butter beef or lamb stock cheddar

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests or diseases commonly affect Allium cepa (Texas Legend onion), and how do I manage them at home?

Onions (Allium cepa) commonly suffer from onion maggots and thrips, plus downy mildew in humid weather. Check foliage weekly and remove any damaged plants, then treat with an appropriate label-approved insect control for onions; for downy mildew, keep plants spaced for airflow and water at the base (not over the leaves). Avoid working in wet foliage and rotate onion beds with non-Allium crops each season to reduce repeat disease pressure.

How often should I water Allium cepa during the main bulbing growth phase, and what soil moisture should I aim for?

During bulbing (once plants are well-established), aim for consistently moist soil—typically about 1 inch of water per week total, adjusted for rainfall and heat. Let the soil dry slightly at the top before watering again, but don’t allow long dry spells that can cause stunted bulbs or poor expansion. Use a steady, slow soak so moisture reaches 6–8 inches deep where onion roots feed.

How can I tell when Texas Legend (Allium cepa) onions are ready to harvest?

Harvest when about 50–75% of tops have fallen over and the necks begin to soften and dry down. Stop watering 7–14 days before harvest to help bulbs cure and reduce rot risk, then lift onions carefully so you don’t bruise the skins. Cure in a warm, airy, shaded spot until outer skins are papery and the necks are tight.