Vidalia Onions, Vidalia Onion Farms, Vidalia Onion Recipes
In The Field
There are about 20 seed varieties of onions approved for planting as Vidalias by the Georgia Agricultural Commission. The yellow granex seed varieties selected have passed through several consecutive years of testing by University of Georgia Extension Service experts. The onions they produce must then pass additional test batches, including checks for taste, physical characteristics, and chemical composition.
The planting process starts by producing seedlings that are allowed to germinate in a controlled environment. Once enough seedlings have been properly germinated, they are inserted into the unique low sulphur soil by hand. Around 100 registered growers plant an estimated 14,000 acres of Vidalia Onions.
About 70,000 seedlings per acre are typically planted in 14 inch rows spaced 4 1/2 to 6 inches apart. During the growing season, temperatures average in the mid-50s in the winter and mid-70s in the spring with rainfall averaging 3 1/2 inches. Irrigation is utilized when Mother Nature does not oblige.
