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New 2014 Varieties & Growing Tips
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November 2013
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Flip through this year's catalog (which you should receive soon, if you haven't already), and you'll discover two new onion varieties -- Highlander and Red River -- as well as the old favorites.
In this issue, we'll tell you more about both new varieties, and we'll highlight some resources for ensuring an excellent onion crop.
The New Onions
 Highlander is a new long-day onion variety whose slightly flat, globe-shaped bulbs are lighter in color than most long-day varieties, but are very firm with thin necks. This sweet hybrid has excellent yield potential, and will mature in just 95 days. Since it's an extra-early maturing variety, Highlander can also be planted in intermediate-day areas. It will store up to four months, and with its tight, thin neck, it's easy to cure. Losses in storage will be minimized, and Highlander is tolerant to both botrytis and downy mildew -- the two most common onion diseases. In the intermediate-day regions this variety will extend the harvest for up to two weeks.
 Red River is a highly adaptable red, globe-shaped, sweet, hybrid onion that can be planted in both intermediate day and long day regions, since it's considered a long "intermediate day" or a short "long day." It matures in 95-105 days, with nice 3-4 inch jumbo size potential. For customers who remember our very popular variety called Mars, this is the red variety that we feel comes closest to that maturity slot, flavor, and size. Red River boasts a strong root system and a nice dark red color, with a high yield potential and good storage potential of 3-5 months. It's resistant to pink root, fusarium, and bolting.
Guides for Your Success
To help ensure you have a great growing season, here are resources for ordering, planting, growing and harvest.
The most important first step is to choose onions that will thrive in your climate. Find your state and daylength easily on our daylength map, or by viewing our short daylength video.
Planting Guides. Our electronic Planting Guide covers everything from soil preparation to harvesting. If you prefer to print this guide, we've also got a downloadable version in PDF format.
Frequently Asked Questions. If you have a specific question, our FAQ page is a fast way to get an answer.
Growing Onions in a Raised Bed. Raised beds are ideal for those of you with limited space or poor soil. Don't worry, you can still grow onions!
Onion SOS. In addition, we've got a page dedicated to onion troubleshooting. There are representative photos for each onion issue you might face, most linking to additional information.
Newsletters. Our newsletters are archived on our Web site, listed by date and topic for easy reference.
YouTube. View demonstrations on how to fertilize onions, apply nitrogen, weed control, and more on our video page.
Ordering Reminders
Before placing your order, make sure you have chosen varieties based on your daylength area. And take a look at our zip code chart to find out when your onions will ship, so you can prepare in advance. We look forward to a super 2014 growing season!
Happy growing,
Bruce "Onionman" Frasier |
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Featured Products
Planting and Growing Aids
The following planting aids include a fertilizer, a combination feed and weed aid, an all natural feed and weed, and an additional weed control option. All our fertilizers and feed-and-weed products come in four-pound bags, as well as our new resealable 12-pound bags.
 Dixondale Farms Onion Special 10-20-10: This exclusive fertilizer contains a blend of organic humic acids and essential micro-nutrients that onions crave, such as magnesium, zinc, boron, copper, iron, manganese, and molybdenum.
This is the fertilizer you want to start your plants out with, in order to establish the root systems. Later, apply the Ammonium Sulfate (21-0-0) until the onions start to bulb.
Dixondale Farms Feed and Weed 10-20-10: This is a unique fertilizer and organic pre-emergent herbicide all in one. The 100% natural corn gluten meal blocks weed germination, so you can establish your onions in a weed-free area, while our fertilizer blend provides the nutrients necessary for huge, delicious onions.
 All Natural Feed and Weed 2-5-3: This purely organic product combines an all-natural fertilizer with the pre-emergent weed control power of corn gluten meal. It's ideal for preparing a weed-free bed and feeding your onions up to size without resorting to chemicals. Treflan Herbicide Granules: This herbicide does a bang-up job of pre-emergent weed and grass control, handling the toughest weeds with ease. Just apply it before transplanting your onions. A one-pound container treats up to 1,200 square feet.
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 From Our Friends
Onions and Grandkids
Mike W. of Saint Francisville, Louisiana sends us this picture of his adorable grandkids holding onions harvested May 19, 2013. That's Mason on the left with Texas Legend onions, and Manijeh with Southern Belle Red. "This is the first year that I bought from Dixondale Farms," says Mike, "and I followed your directions on planting and growing the onions. Despite the weather being cooler and wetter than normal this spring, the onions have turned out great."
Got some onion-related photos to share? Click here for submission tips. You just might see your photo in a future newsletter!
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Around the Farm
Dixondale Farms Shipping Details
To ensure you receive the freshest onion plants possible, we always select the best delivery option for your area, whether it's the United States Postal Service, UPS or FedEx. The carrier used to ship your onions is always noted on the email we send you notifying you that your onions have shipped.
Both UPS and FedEx have recently introduced some enhancements to their delivery options. Not only do these carriers allow you to track your shipments, but you now can also make changes to your delivery location (such as from your house to your office or a UPS Store), have your package held for later delivery, or authorize a delivery without a signature - all after your package has shipped but before the delivery truck reaches your door.
For more information, click these links to learn about UPS My Choice or FedEx Delivery Manager.
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Cooking with Onions
Heavenly Onions
- 2 large onions, sliced
- 1/2 stick butter
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 8 ounces shredded Swiss cheese
- 1 1/2 tablespoon soy or Worcestershire sauce
- 1/3 cup milk
- Sliced (3/4 inch) French bread, buttered one side
Saut� onions in butter till opaque, then place in bottom of 13 x 9-inch cake pan. Cook soup, milk, cheese and soy sauce until blended. Pour over onions. Place bread buttered side up on top, and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Excellent with holiday meals!
Recipe courtesy of customer Maria Lichter. If you have a recipe you'd like us to print, email it to [email protected].
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Q & A: When to Order
Q. When should I order my onion plants?
A. We've already begun taking orders for the 2014 growing season, so feel free to order at any time -- but realize that we won't ship your onions until the right date for your area if you order early, unless you specifically ask us to send your onions right away. For a good idea of when to order, refer to our zip code chart to find out the week that onions will ship to your area. To find the best varieties for your climate, take a look at our daylength map or our daylength video. |
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Fun Onion Facts
According to The Packer, which publishes weekly online produce industry news, the onion was America's second most-popular vegetable in 2013, moving up from #3 in 2012. Shoppers age 50 and older were most likely to buy onions, as were those with higher incomes. Interestingly, people without kids were slightly more likely to buy onions than parents, though the difference was slim: 75% vs. 72%.
Overall, people in the Northeast and South were most likely to purchase onions, mostly conventionally grown, though 17% bought organic occasionally and 3% bought only organic onions. |
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All Your Questions Answered
We have answers to your frequently asked questions! Just click the link for information on when to order your onions and how to find your frost and freeze dates, as well as for tips on planting, caring, feeding, harvesting, and storing them.
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Centennial Corner
 One of the great things about Dixondale Farms is that we can provide you with as many onion plants as you want -- from a harvest that fills a tree (left), to a truckload (below right), to literally tons (below left). That's why everyone from casual gardeners to major producers -- Vidalia growers included! -- have been counting on us for their onion plants for a hundred years now.
 Not only are our onions plants plentiful, you know they'll produce bumper crops given decent care, even when Mother Nature doesn't  cooperate. With Dixondale Farms, you can always depend on tons of quality, no matter how many onions you decide to grow.
Got some pictures to share? Send 'em our way! |
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About Dixondale Farms
As the largest and oldest onion plant farm in the U.S., Dixondale Farms offers a wide selection of top-quality, disease-free, ready-to-plant onion plants. To see our complete product line, request a catalog, or for growing tips and cultural information, visit our Web site.
Whether you're planting one bunch or thousands of acres, we're committed to your success. We've posted answers to frequently asked questions about growing onions on our FAQ page. You can also go to the Learn section of our Web site for growing guides. And of course, we're also available from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CT at 877-367-1015, or e-mail us any time at [email protected].
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 Join Us on Facebook!
Join the community of friends and growers on our Facebook page! You can connect with us and fellow growers to share stories, photos, recipes, and even weather information and other tips.
Have you seen our new customer photos lately? We had quite a few posted on our Facebook page between October 15 and October 25. Check 'em out!
And be sure to review our short videos, on topics ranging from bolting and fertilizing to how onion plants are harvested and how they deal with cold weather.
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