The onion is an essential ingredient in kitchens all over the world. It is a versatile plant with a great many varieties, grown in a wide range of climates and conditions. In Spain, and specifically in our area, southern Navarre, the onion is an important crop that adapts well to the temperate climate.
With a wide range of varieties and optimal sowing times, Navarre’s farmers strive to produce high-quality onions all year round.
Onion Varieties
There are several varieties of onion, each with its own distinctive characteristics in terms of flavour, colour and ripening time. We produce two of them: Grano onions and Medio Grano onions.
Sowing Seasons
Successful onion growing in Navarre depends largely on choosing the right sowing season for each variety. In general, onions fall into two main categories: spring–summer onions and autumn–winter onions.
Mid grain onion
This variety is sown from mid-November until December 30 (direct seeding), and from February 1 to March 15 when grown from transplants. It is harvested in July.
Grain Onion
Grain onions are sown in mid-January, and sowing can be extended until mid-March (direct seeding); when grown from transplants, they are planted from March 20 to May 10. The harvest begins in mid-July and ends on October 30.
Onion Growing in Southern Navarre
With its continental Mediterranean climate, Navarre offers a favourable environment for growing onions throughout the year. The region has fertile, well-drained soils and a rainfall pattern well suited to the optimal growth of this bulb.
Right now, in March, we are at a crucial moment for onion growing in Navarre. The onions sown in autumn have reached full growth and are getting ready for harvest, while spring–summer onions are being planted to ensure continuous production throughout the year.
Navarre’s farmers need to pay particular attention to irrigation and weed control at this time of year, as the weather begins to warm up and the plants need a steady supply of water to grow healthily.
