White Bermuda (Early Grano)

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Sweetly aromatic and cleanly mild, White Bermuda (Early Grano) forms crisp, snow-white bulbs with a tender, fine-grained bite that stays pleasantly delicate from harvest through storage.

The skins are thin and bright, the flesh crisp and juicy, making this an ideal choice for fresh use and for turning into smooth, fragrant preparations where its gentle character shines. Grow it for reliable, early-season performance—an elegant white onion that looks as good as it tastes.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Bulbing

Botanical illustration of White Bermuda (Early Grano)

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 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bulbing
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This early white onion is built for restraint: it stays sweet and crisp, so it won’t bully salads or sandwiches with harsh allium bite. Use it either raw in paper-thin slices or cooked just until translucent for a clean, fragrant sweetness that behaves beautifully in buttery sauces.

Best Uses

thin slicing for raw applications where you want crunch without bite
quick pickling or escabeche—keeps its pale, delicate character
smooth sauté base for butter sauces and pan drippings
gentle roasting to turn its mild sugars jammy without going sharp

Flavor Profile

sweetly mild allium sweetness crisp, fine-grained bite clean, lightly aromatic finish juicy and tender when fresh

Kitchen Pairings

butter olive oil fresh thyme white wine vinegar gruyère chicken stock

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage onion (Allium cepa) problems like downy mildew and botrytis blight?

Onions (Allium cepa) commonly develop downy mildew and neck/foliar blights in cool, wet weather. Improve airflow with wider spacing, avoid watering the foliage (water at the soil line), and remove any yellowing or collapsing leaves quickly. If the problem persists, use an onion-appropriate fungicide and follow the label timing starting as soon as you see mottling or gray/purple lesions.

What watering schedule keeps Allium cepa bulbs sizing well during the 60–90 day growing phase?

During active bulb bulking (roughly weeks 7–13), keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 inch of water per week, adjusting for heat and rainfall. Let the top 1–2 inches of soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent rot, then water deeply to reach the onion roots. Stop or sharply reduce watering once tops begin to yellow and fall over, so the bulbs cure better.

When is Allium cepa (white Bermuda-type) ready to harvest?

Harvest when 50–70% of the tops have fallen over and the necks feel tight rather than soft. For many 90-day plantings, this is around 90 days from transplanting/typical sowing timeline, but use the top condition as your main guide. Lift on a dry day, cure the bulbs in a warm, airy spot for 1–2 weeks, and then trim roots and tops for storage.