Red Onions

Size: Varies by season; each leaf represents a ring of onion.

Sunlight requirements:

Water requirements: More water equals stronger flavor.

Soil requirements: Well-drained soil; pH between 6.2 and 6.8.

When to plant: Just before the last frost and after the soil has dried.

Where to plant: Can be planted close together: between eight to 10 onions per foot.

When to harvest: 110 to 125 days from seed.

Produce storage: Use in salads or for pickling; store in a mesh bag in a cool, dry place after drying.

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White Onions

Size: Varies by season; each leaf represents a ring of onion.

Sunlight requirements: Full sun.

Water requirements: More water equals stronger flavor.

Soil requirements: Well-drained soil; pH between 6.2 and 6.8.

When to plant: Just before the last frost and after the soil has dried.

Where to plant: Can be planted close together: between eight to 10 onions per foot.

When to harvest: 111 to 125 days from seed.

Produce storage: Sauté or pickle; store in a mesh bag in a cool, dry place after drying; do not keep as well as red and yellow onions.

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Sweet Potato

Size: 6 to 8 inches long.

Sunlight requirements: Full sun.

Water requirements: 1 inch of water per week.

Soil requirements: Well-drained, warm soil.

When to plant: After the last frost, when the soil is warm.

Where to plant: Plant slips 4 to 5 inches deep and 3 inches wide, 1 inch apart.

When to harvest: As soon as leaves turn yellow; 100 to 140 days, depending on season.

Produce storage: Cure for five to 10 days in a warm, humid place; store in a cool place for another six to eight weeks; can be stored for a few months.

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Russet Burbank Potato

Size: 4 to 6 inches long.

Sunlight requirements: Full sun.

Water requirements: Water evenly to avoid misshapen crops; 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water per week.

Soil requirements: Loose, well-drained, slightly acid.

When to plant: Late March or early April.

Where to plant: Plant pieces between 10 to 12 inches apart; space rows between 24 and 36 inches apart.

When to harvest: About 15 days after foliage turns yellow.

Produce storage: Store in a cool, humid place, such as a basement or garage; will keep over winter at 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Yukon Gold Potato

Size: 3 to 5 inches long.

Sunlight requirements: Full sun.

Water requirements: 1 inch of water per week.

Soil requirements: Loose, well-drained, slightly acid.

When to plant: Late March or early April.

Where to plant: Plant pieces between 10 to 12 inches apart; space rows between 24 and 36 inches apart.

When to harvest: 90 to 100 days.

Produce storage: Store in a cool, moist place, such as a basement or garage; will keep over winter at 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Scallions

Size: Leaves are up to a foot long.

Sunlight requirements: Full sun.

Water requirements: Water evenly; more water equals stronger flavor; average 1 inch per week.

Soil requirements: Well-drained soil.

When to plant: Spring, when soil is 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Where to plant: In raised beds; 1/2 inch apart in rows 12 to 18 inches apart; do not grow where onions have grown within the past three years.

When to harvest: When tops are about 6 inches tall.

Produce storage: Put 1 inch of cold water into a glass jar. Put scallions in jar; cover tops of scallions with a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator.

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Leeks

Size: 1 1/2 to 2 1/2-inch diameter.

Sunlight requirements: Full sun.

Water requirements: 1 inch per week.

Soil requirements: Mulched, well-drained soil.

When to plant: After last frost, when soil is warmer than 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Where to plant: In shallow trenches; trenches should be about 2 feet apart.

When to harvest: 50 to 80 days (fast-growing variety, 120 to 150 days; anytime after diameter is at least 1 1/2 inches.

Produce storage: Use within one or two weeks if not storing in a root cellar; wrap in plastic wrap or a bag to keep other food from absorbing their aroma.

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Catnip

Size: Maximum height 3 to 4 feet

Sunlight requirements: Best in full sun

Water requirements: Regular watering

Soil requirements: Well-drained soil with a pH of about 6.6

When to plant: Spring

Where to plant: Garden, containers

When to harvest: When plant reaches about 8 inches.

Produce storage: Pull leaves, dry them and keep in airtight containers in dark, cool spots.

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Spaghetti Squash

Size: Vines grow up to 8 feet in length. Each vine bears several 5- to 8-inch, tan-yellow fruits

Sunlight requirements: Full sun (A minimum of six hours is ideal.)

Water requirements: About 1 inch per week—consistent moisture is ideal, so mulch well.

Soil requirements: Well-drained, fertile soil, high in organic matter

When to plant: Direct-seed outdoors in late-spring when soil temperatures reach 65 degrees F, or start seeds in peat pots three weeks before transplanting.

Where to plant: Garden

When to harvest: About 100 days from seed, when the rind can be pierced with a fingernail with moderate pressure; yellowish when ripe

Produce storage: Store in a cool, dry location for several months.

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First Lady Tomato

crop-profiles/firstlady_seminis_300.jpg

Photo Credit: Courtesy Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Inc.

Size: Indeterminate vines grow large unless pruned. Bright-red fruits mature at 5 ounces.

Sunlight requirements: Full sun (A minimum of six to eight hours per day is ideal.)

Water requirements: A minimum of 1 inch per week—water the root zone as needed and keep foliage dry to deter foliar diseases. Proper mulching aids in prevention of blossom end rot, drought stress and other issues associated with fluctuations in soil-moisture levels.

Soil requirements: Well-drained soil rich in organic matter is best. Soils high in nitrogen will result in excessive foliage growth at the expense of good fruit production.

When to plant: Transplant in spring, after the danger of frost has passed and nights remain above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Start seeds indoors under lights four to six weeks before transplanting.

Where to plant: Garden; containers (8-gallon minimum)

When to harvest: 66 days from transplanting.

Produce storage: Store at room temperature for best flavor.