Off-season is a multi-bulb onion, also known as bunching onion or shallot. It is a type of bulb onion with small bulbs that form clusters of 3 to 10, and sometimes up to 20 pieces, each weighing from 15 to 40 grams. The leaves of this onion are thin, tender, and less pungent, with a characteristic weak waxy coating. The weight of the cluster ranges from 150 to 300 grams, making it convenient for storage and use in cooking.
This onion is valued for its sweet and tender taste, making it excellent for fresh consumption, such as in salads. Additionally, it is widely used for frying, stewing, pickling, and even making jam. The bulbs store well at home for 8-12 months, allowing for year-round use. In the spring, bulbs can be planted in a container to grow greens on the windowsill, which is especially convenient during the off-season.
Growing bunching onions does not require complex care: they are planted in mid-April, are frost-resistant, and absorb melted water from the soil well. For care, regular watering, loosening, and weeding are sufficient. The harvest is collected when 50-70% of the leaves fall, after which the onion is dried in a single layer for about 10-12 days, the leaves are cut off leaving a thin neck, and stored at 0-3 degrees in boxes or crates without separating the clusters into individual bulbs. From one square meter, you can get up to 3-4 kilograms of quality product, which makes this onion profitable for growing and sale.
