What the heck is a Tater Onion?

The Potato Onion (also known as an "Old-Time Hill Onion") is a type of Multiplier Onion. Of course, this name eventually evolved into what is commonly known as a 'Tater Onion' here in the Southeast United States.

HEIRLOOM ONIONS?

 
This is a true definition of potato onions. Since before the turn of the century, potato onions have been very popular with home gardeners (especially in Appalachia). Every family had their own garden and always grew potato onions. They are delicious both in and with soups, sandwiches and just about anything else. With modernization, the building of large chain / grocery stores and the convenience of buying (rather than growing a home garden), these once revered onions have almost become extinct in many areas. Back in the 'good old days' it wasn't unusual for a newly married bride and groom to receive a set of these onions as a wedding gift for their future garden.

Okay, how do these things work?

When planted, a small bulb will grow to become one large onion. Conversely, when a large potato onion is planted, it will create many smaller bulbs. This characteristic is what makes it a multiplier onion.
 

How do you grow them?

These onions are usually planted in the Fall and harvested around July. My Grandmother's rule of thumb was to plant them on election day and harvest them around July 4.

However, you can also plant them in the Spring. When planted in the Spring, they don't always make as big of an onion, but I find they still do quite well . When planted in the Fall, they begin to appear in your garden by the first of March.

You will see multiple clusters and single onions begin to appear according to the various size of the bulbs you planted. (Always alternate them up in the row). The large bulbs (between 1" and 4" in diameter) will produce at least a half dozen or more small bulbs and the small bulb will produce one or more large bulbs.

Potato onions are hardy in most places, except the extreme North.

Okay, they're in the ground...now what?

When harvested as green onions (they are delicious with sandwiches or in salads) you can take out a few without pulling the whole bunch. Simply hold the soil around the cluster and pull out several. Gently press the soil back in place over the remaining ones; no need to waste any of them. The remaining ones will continue to grow if you don't disturb their roots.


By the first of July, the green tops (blades) have turned brown. Never pull them when they or the soil around them is very wet because this will cause them to rot. Gently pull them from the soil and place on a screen / wire drying rack. Never stack or place them in multiple layers until completely dry. I prefer to store them in baskets in a cool, dark area not below 32 °F for home use and until time for Fall planting. Always keep enough for family use during the winter months; you can always plant what is left over in the Spring. If kept in an area that is too warm, they will begin to sprout.

So how can I get these?

If ordering for Spring planting they have to be set out as soon as possible.

For Fall planting you can start placing orders on August 1.

We will begin shipping Fall orders between October 1 and October 15.


Please note that there is no shipping outside the Continental United States.

To order, please use our online shopping cart system. This will collect your order information, give you payment options, and send you a copy of your order by e-mail.

Sorry, folks! Our supply for the 2009 season has been completely exhausted.

Thanks for another great year! We'll see you in 2010, and will make the order feature available as soon as our stock gets ready to be shipped.

If you do not have access to e-mail, please send checks or money orders to:

Patricia Simpson

350 Woodridge Drive

Lancaster, KY  40444

Your order will be shipped the next business day after payment is received. If you are paying by e-check on the PayPal site, your order will ship as soon as we are notified that your payment has cleared. Please be aware that checks returned for any reason will be subject to a $25.00 fee in addition to the face value of the check.

I have some questions.....

Not a problem. You can contact us with your questions at info@tateronions.com

Or call 1-(859) 548-5526