Onions Crop Guide

Estimated Cost $500 – $3000 per acre
Market Outlets Food services, wholesale grocery, farmer’s markets, roadside stands
Market Potential Good
Yield Potential 300- 1000 50lbs sacks/acre
Profit Potential $0 to $1,200 per acre
Adapted Areas Statewide and near population centers
Labor Requirements Two men per acre, more at harvest, very labor intensive at harvest
Equipment Requirements Tractor, shredder, disk, bedder, planter, herbicide sprayer, insect/disease sprayer, cultivator, weeder or harvest blade and trailer
Soil Requirements Sandy loam or silty clay loam with internal drainage
Water Requirements Good quality water for 2 to 4 acre inches per acre per week
Minimum Size 1/2 to 1 acre
Risk Factor High
Other Limiting Factors Cold winter, seed stems, rains at harvest, increasing import competition and limited volume accepted at local market. Concenterated labor for transplanting in December and January; need to cotract for transplants in July.
Comments Day length sensitive with regard to bulbing. Specific varieties perform differently in each section of Texas. Variety selection critical.

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