Forum is an F1 hybrid spring-planted onion developed for gardeners who want early, reliable bulbs without the fuss of overwintering. Plant sets in spring across hardiness zones 3 through 9, and you'll harvest full-size onions in approximately 90 days. This compact variety produces bulbs that mature when tops naturally fall over, signaling it's time to cure and store. Johnny's Selected Seeds describes Forum as an early bulb onion from spring planting, making it an excellent choice for northern gardeners and anyone looking for a straightforward, no-fuss onion crop.
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Moderate
3-9
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High
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Forum onion sets should be planted within a week of arrival and stored in a cool, dry, dark place with ventilation if you can't get them in the ground immediately. The variety thrives in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.2 and 6.8; sandy loam or raised beds work best, especially in heavier soils. Frequent irrigation during the growing season and at least 1 inch of water equivalent will keep bulbs developing steadily, and full sun is non-negotiable for success. While Forum isn't a long-storage onion, proper curing, pulling when roughly half the tops have fallen over, then drying in sun for 2 to 7 days, allows storage of approximately three months.
Forum onions are eaten fresh as full-size bulbs or harvested early as bunching green onions once small bulbs have developed. The variety is most commonly used in everyday cooking where a reliable, sweet onion adds depth to soups, stews, stir-fries, roasting, and raw applications. Its relatively short storage window of three months makes it best suited to fresh use rather than long-term pantry storage.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Plant Forum onion sets as soon as possible after receiving them, ideally within one week, directly into the garden. Sets are frost-hardy and can tolerate spring frost, so early planting in zones 3 through 9 is safe. Space sets in well-prepared, fertile soil with full sun exposure.
For bunching green onions, harvest once small bulbs have developed. For full-size onions, watch for soft necks and falling foliage as the sign of maturity. When approximately 50 percent of the tops have fallen over, pull the onions from the ground and lay them out to dry in the sun for 2 to 7 days. Once foliage and necks are completely dry, clip the roots and cut back the tops to 1 inch.
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