Shakespeare is a spring-planted onion cultivar bred as a successor to the popular Forum variety, thriving across hardiness zones 3-10 with a compact growth habit and 90 days to full maturity. This open-pollinated onion produces reliable, full-size bulbs when planted as sets in early spring, making it an accessible choice for gardeners who prefer the simplicity of set planting over seed. Its frost-hardy nature means you can get these in the ground as soon as conditions allow, giving them a long season to develop substantial bulbs for fresh use and short-term storage.
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Moderate
3-10
?in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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Shakespeare onion sets should go in the ground within a week of arrival, stored in cool, dry conditions if planting must be delayed. Plant in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, ideally in sandy loam or raised beds to ensure proper drainage. The compact growth habit means these won't sprawl across your garden, and at 90 days to harvest, you'll have mature onions with soft necks and falling tops by early summer, ready to cure and store.
Shakespeare onions are grown for full-size bulbs suitable for fresh eating and short-term storage. Harvest when the bulbs have fully developed and the necks soften with tops beginning to fall over, then cure in the sun for 2-7 days before storage. They can also be harvested earlier as bunching green onions once small bulbs have formed, giving you flexibility in how you use them.
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Plant Shakespeare onion sets as soon as possible after receiving them, ideally within one week. Store any sets you cannot plant immediately in a cool, dry, dark place with good ventilation. Plant in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0, with sandy loam or raised beds recommended for optimal drainage.
For full-size onions, discontinue watering once the necks become soft and the tops begin to fall over. When approximately 50% of the tops have fallen over, pull the onions from the ground and allow them to dry in the sun for 2-7 days. Once the foliage and necks are completely dry, clip the roots and cut the tops back to 1 inch. Alternatively, harvest earlier as bunching green onions once small bulbs have developed.
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