How We Grow Our Vidalia^® Sweet Onions

central,Vidalia,vidalia,food,gift-box,Basket,basket,giftbox,onions,pecans,peanuts,pears,fruits,nuts,gift,packages,corporate gifts,packs,recipes

Under the terms of Federal Marketing Order No. 955, as well as state law, Vidalia^® Sweet Onions are defined to include only those produced in 13 counties and portions of seven others, all in Georgia. Although the yellow granex hybrid is grown in many other parts of the country, it is only in the defined production area that the soil and climate combine to produce the special characteristics of the sweet Vidalia^® Sweet Onion that has attracted the attention of gourmet tastebuds everywhere.

Farmers plant Vidalia^® Sweet Onions from September through February. About 70,000 plants are produced on each acre. Approximately 138 growers cultivate Vidalias^® on 13,000 to 14,500 acres.

Vidalia^® Sweet Onions flourish in the sandy loan soil and mild conditions - temperatures average in the mid-50s in the winter and mid-70s in the spring, with an average rainfall of 3-1/2 inches during the growing season.

Vidalias^® mature and are harvested from the late April through mid-June. The delicate nature of Vidalia^® Sweet Onions requires that they be harvested by hand, thoroughly dried and treated gently during grading and packaging.

Recent technology has extended the marketing season of Vidalia^® Sweet Onions past the summer months with controlled atmosphere (CA) storage. The principal characteristics of CA storage is a modification of the atmosphere in the storage room. Normal atmosphere, or the air we breathe, contains about 79% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 0.03% carbon dioxide. However, Vidalia^® Sweet Onions can be stored for several months in an atmosphere of 92% nitrogen, 5% carbon dioxide and 3% oxygen, with the air temperature in the storage room being maintained at around 34ºF.

No chemicals are utilized in the CA process, only the natural elements found in pure air. While in CA storage, the Vidalias^® remain dormant (virtually asleep) until they are removed and returned to normal atmospheric conditions.

Tests show there is no change in the taste or texture of Vidalias^® that have been stored in a controlled atmosphere. Vidalia^® Sweet Onions have been successfully stored for up to 7 months, thus extending their marketing season into November and December. Current CA capacity for Vidalia^® Sweet Onions is approximately 125 million pounds.

Return to Top




		How We Grow Our Vidalia^® Sweet Onions Under the terms of Federal Marketing Order No. 955, as well as state law, Vidalia^® Sweet Onions are defined to include only those produced in 13 counties and portions of seven others, all in Georgia. Although the yellow granex hybrid is grown in many other parts of the country, it is only in the defined production area that the soil and climate combine to produce the special characteristics of the sweet Vidalia^® Sweet Onion that has attracted the attention of gourmet tastebuds everywhere. Farmers plant Vidalia^® Sweet Onions from September through February. About 70,000 plants are produced on each acre. Approximately 138 growers cultivate Vidalias^® on 13,000 to 14,500 acres. Vidalia^® Sweet Onions flourish in the sandy loan soil and mild conditions - temperatures average in the mid-50s in the winter and mid-70s in the spring, with an average rainfall of 3-1/2 inches during the growing season. Vidalias^® mature and are harvested from the late April through mid-June. The delicate nature of Vidalia^® Sweet Onions requires that they be harvested by hand, thoroughly dried and treated gently during grading and packaging. Recent technology has extended the marketing season of Vidalia^® Sweet Onions past the summer months with controlled atmosphere (CA) storage. The principal characteristics of CA storage is a modification of the atmosphere in the storage room. Normal atmosphere, or the air we breathe, contains about 79% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 0.03% carbon dioxide. However, Vidalia^® Sweet Onions can be stored for several months in an atmosphere of 92% nitrogen, 5% carbon dioxide and 3% oxygen, with the air temperature in the storage room being maintained at around 34ºF. No chemicals are utilized in the CA process, only the natural elements found in pure air. While in CA storage, the Vidalias^® remain dormant (virtually asleep) until they are removed and returned to normal atmospheric conditions. Tests show there is no change in the taste or texture of Vidalias^® that have been stored in a controlled atmosphere. Vidalia^® Sweet Onions have been successfully stored for up to 7 months, thus extending their marketing season into November and December. Current CA capacity for Vidalia^® Sweet Onions is approximately 125 million pounds. Return to Top

How We Grow Our Vidalia® Sweet Onions

How We Grow Our Vidalia^® Sweet Onions