Onion : Ailsa Craig

Up to 5 lbs bulbs! Relatively mild and sweet, recommended for fresh use

Long day type - Very well-known globe-shaped heirloom onion that reaches really huge size - 5 lbs is rather common! The skin is a pale yellow and the flesh is relatively mild and sweet, so is recommended for fresh use—not a storage type. Introduced in 1887 by David Murray, gardener for the Marquis of Ailsa, at Culzean Castle in Maybole, South Ayrshire, Scotland.

Amaryllidaceae Allium cepa

This is an example of the timeline you would see based on your growing conditions.

Onion: Sweet, Yellow

Ailsa Craig

The sweet onions are low in sulfur and high in water, which gives them such a mild flavor they can be eaten raw. They also have thin skins and so don't store very well.

[X] Close

Basics

Ease of Growing: Moderate
Grown as: Biennial
Days to Maturity: 110 (Spring/Summer), 210-240 (Fall/Winter)
Growing Habit: -
Hardiness: Hardy

Onions are very hardy and can be frost tolerant.
Crops: Spring Transplant, Spring, Fall Transplant, Fall
Growing Season: Long
Cultivar Type: -
Growing Conditions: Cold, Cool, Warm, Long days

Correct timing is important with bulb onions, if you don't plant them at the right time they won't do very well. The best onions are grown from transplants set out in October or November and wintered over to mature in June and July. Plant transplants right away, if possible. Transplants are happy if you apply a light mulch to help conserve moisture for uniform growth.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 55°F - 80°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 50°F

Onion seed takes a month to germinate at 40 degrees, but only 2 weeks at 50 degrees, so you don't necessarily lose much time by waiting until the soil has warmed up a little.
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: Yes
Light: Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Cold, Cool, Warm)

Full sun.
Water: Moderate

Onions are quite drought tolerant, but a lack of water makes the bulb smaller and more pungent. For best flavor and largest bulbs you must keep the soil moist at all times, so there is no interruption in growth.
Feeder: Light

Low nitrogen. Moderate potassium. Moderate phosphorous.

Onions don't need a lot of nitrogen, but they do like potassium and phosphorus.
Suitability: Drought tolerant, Tolerates light frost, Tolerates hard frost
Small Gardens?: Yes
Containers?: Yes

Onions can be grown easily in containers. Make sure they have good drainage and the pot is at least 12" deep. Fill with a mixture of potting soil and compost, and water thoroughly. Make sure that your onions have access to plenty of sunshine. Keep the soil moist.
Attracts beneficial insects?: No
Color: Light brown skin
Fruit Size: - "
Plant Height: 24.0 - 36.0"
Plant Diameter: 2.0 - 4.0"
Hardiness Zone: 3-11
Disease Resistance
Taste Profile: The skin is a pale yellow and the flesh is relatively mild and sweet, so is recommended for fresh use.
Rotation Group: Roots: Alliums + Umbeliferae

Legend

What's Smart Gardener ?

Plant Guide

Onion : Ailsa Craig

Up to 5 lbs bulbs! Relatively mild and sweet, recommended for fresh use

Ailsa Craig

Basics