How big do candy onions get?

Candy onions, also known as sweet onions, are a popular choice among gardeners for their mild and sweet flavor. When it comes to their size, candy onions can grow quite large, typically measuring between 4 to 5 inches across. The bulbs are slightly flattened in shape and feature a light yellow skin covering pale yellow to white flesh.

In my personal experience with growing candy onions, I have found that they tend to be mostly larger than softball-size, with some reaching just about that size. It’s important to note that the size of the onions can vary depending on various factors such as the growing conditions, soil fertility, and the specific variety of candy onion being grown.

When harvesting candy onions, it can be quite exciting to unearth these impressive bulbs from the soil. I remember the first time I grew candy onions in my garden, and I was amazed at the size they had reached. Some of them were even larger than I had anticipated, almost like small melons! It was a delight to see the fruits of my labor in the form of these substantial onions.

To provide further context, let me break down the aspects of candy onion size that I have witnessed and heard from other gardeners:

1. Majority larger than softball-size: In most cases, the candy onions I have grown and observed have been larger than a standard softball. This can vary from slightly bigger than a softball to significantly larger, resembling the size of a small cantaloupe. It’s quite impressive to see the sheer size these onions can attain.

2. Some just about softball-size: While the majority of candy onions tend to be larger, there are also instances where they grow to be just about the size of a softball. These onions may not reach the same impressive dimensions as their larger counterparts, but they still offer a substantial size that is ideal for culinary purposes.

3. Size variations within a harvest: It’s worth mentioning that not all candy onions within a single harvest will be of the same size. Just like any other vegetable, there can be variations in size even within the same batch of onions. This adds a bit of excitement and surprise when it comes to harvesting, as you never know what sizes you’ll uncover.

To summarize, candy onions can grow to be quite large, typically measuring between 4 to 5 inches across. Gardeners often describe them as mostly being larger than softball-size, with some just about reaching that size. These onions are a delight to grow and harvest, and their impressive size adds to their appeal.

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Caroline Bates

Caroline is a Miami-based landscaper who specializes in drought-tolerant landscapes. She is the mother of two young children and also enjoys writing for GreenPacks.org in her spare time. Caroline takes great pride in her work, and loves being able to share her knowledge with others through her writing.