Borettana

Onion

Zone 1a Save Garden

🌱 90d to harvest Bulbing

Sweetly aromatic and beautifully mild, Borettana cipollini onions bring a tender, honeyed flavor with a delicate crunch that soft…

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Jun 15th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 8th
Harvest Begins	Sep 6th
Harvest Ends	Jul 15th

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)	28
Harden Off (days)	7

Recommended Companions

Little Finger Carrot

Amsterdam Forcing Carrot

Thumbelina Carrot

James' Scarlet Intermediate Carrot

Carson Hybrid Carrot

Minicor Carrot

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease problem for Allium cepa (Borettana) and how do I manage it?

Onions (Allium cepa) are especially prone to downy mildew and purple blotch, which show up as gray/purple lesions on leaves under cool, damp conditions. Improve airflow by spacing plants properly, water at the soil line in the morning, and remove badly affected leaves early. If infections keep spreading, use a labeled fungicide that targets downy mildew/purple blotch for edible onions and follow the label reapplication schedule.

How often should I water Borettana onions during the main growing phase?

During active leaf and bulb growth, keep soil consistently evenly moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, adjusted for heat and rainfall. Check moisture by feel 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) down: water when it’s starting to dry there, then water thoroughly to that depth. Stop regular watering when bulbs begin to swell and the tops start to tip, so the necks dry and bulbs cure well.

How can I tell when Borettana onions are ready to harvest?

Harvest when about 50–75% of the tops have fallen over and the necks are drying, typically around 90 days for Borettana. Bulbs should feel firm and fully formed at the soil surface, with dry papery skins. Lift gently with a fork, then cure in a warm, airy spot out of direct sun until outer skins are papery and necks are tight.

Sweetly aromatic and beautifully mild, Borettana cipollini onions bring a tender, honeyed flavor with a delicate crunch that softens into silky sweetness when gently heated. Their petite, flattened globes are wrapped in burnished, papery skins—golden to russet—then reveal pale, juicy layers with a fine, satiny bite. Grow Borettana for standout whole-bulb roasting, elegant fresh slicing, and showy pickling that preserves their naturally balanced sweetness.

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 40°F and nights stay above 28°F before moving outdoors. Harden off for 7 days first.

Expert Note

For sweetest cipollini-type bulbs, keep soil evenly moist and avoid nitrogen-heavy feeding after bulbing begins.