Borettana Yellow Cipollini Onion

Borettana Yellow Cipollini Onion is a traditional Italian heirloom onion prized for its unique flattened shape, beautiful golden-yellow skin, and exceptionally sweet flavor. These small-to-medium-sized onions are beloved by chefs and home gardeners alike for roasting, caramelizing, grilling, and pickling. Their naturally high sugar content develops a rich, buttery sweetness when cooked, making them one of the finest culinary onions available.

Borettana Yellow Cipollini onions produce attractive, flattened bulbs that store well and perform beautifully in home gardens. As with all onions, proper spacing, consistent moisture, and fertile soil will result in the largest and healthiest bulbs.

Planting by Zones

Zones 9-10

• In Zones 9 and 10, sow Borettana Yellow Cipollini onion seeds from fall through winter for spring harvests.
• Onions thrive during the cool season and develop their largest bulbs when planted early.
• Consistent moisture and fertile soil are essential for proper bulb development.

Zones 2-8

• Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last expected frost date.
• Transplant seedlings outdoors when they are pencil-sized and the soil can be worked.
• Onions tolerate light frosts and perform best in cool weather.

Planting Onion Seeds

• Borettana Yellow Cipollini Onion seeds can be started indoors or direct sown in mild climates.
• When starting indoors, sow seeds 1/4″ deep into high-quality seed-starting mix. Keep evenly moist until germination occurs.
• Fertilize seedlings regularly with a balanced organic fertilizer to encourage vigorous growth.
• Transplant seedlings into the garden when they are approximately 6-8″ tall, spacing plants 4-6″ apart.
• For direct sowing, plant seeds in well-worked soil and thin seedlings as needed.

Growing Onions

• Borettana Yellow Cipollini onions prefer full sun and fertile, well-draining soil rich in organic matter.
• Maintain consistent soil moisture throughout the growing season.
• Avoid allowing plants to become stressed from drought, as this can reduce bulb size.
• Feed regularly with a balanced organic fertilizer during active growth.

Succession Planting Onions

• Plant onion seeds every few weeks during the planting season to extend your harvest window.
• Staggered plantings ensure a continuous supply of fresh onions throughout the season.

Growing Onions in Containers

• Borettana Yellow Cipollini onions can be grown successfully in containers.
• Choose containers that are at least 8-10″ deep with excellent drainage.
• Container-grown onions require more frequent watering and fertilization than those grown in garden beds.

Harvesting Onions

• Harvest onions once the tops begin to yellow and naturally fall over.
• Gently lift bulbs from the soil and allow them to cure in a dry, shaded, well-ventilated location for 1-2 weeks.
• Once cured, trim the tops and roots and store in a cool, dry location.
• Properly cured Borettana onions can store for several months.

Southern California Pro-tips

• Borettana Yellow Cipollini onions are exceptionally well-suited to Southern California’s cool growing season.
• Plant early in fall or winter to maximize bulb development before spring warmth arrives.
• Mulch around plants to regulate soil temperatures and conserve moisture.
• Avoid planting onions during the hottest months of summer.

Companion Flowers/Crops

• Onions make excellent companions for many vegetable crops.
• Plant alongside carrots, beets, lettuce, spinach, brassicas, and strawberries.
• Marigolds, calendula, alyssum, and nasturtiums attract beneficial insects and create a beautiful companion planting combination.
• Avoid planting onions near peas and beans, which may be inhibited by members of the onion family.

Additional Learning Resources

• New to growing onions from seed? Watch our Seed Starting Presentation to learn the basics.
• Visit our YouTube channel for detailed onion-growing tutorials and seasonal planting advice.
• Learn more about common onion pests and diseases through the UC Integrated Pest Management website.

Why We Love Borettana Yellow Cipollini Onions

Borettana Yellow Cipollini onions are a gardener’s and chef’s favorite for good reason. Their unique flattened shape, beautiful golden color, and incredible sweetness make them stand out from ordinary onions. Whether roasted whole, caramelized to perfection, grilled alongside vegetables, or pickled for charcuterie boards, these Italian heirloom onions bring gourmet flavor straight from the garden to the table. Their excellent storage ability and reliable performance make them a must-grow crop for cool-season gardens in Zones 9 and 10. 🧅✨

Additional Learning Resources

• New to starting crops from seeds? Please watch our Seed Starting Presentation to learn the basics!
• Learn about growing all our crops on our YouTube page!
• Having pest issues? Check out in-depth information of pests that can be an issue for onions at the UC Integrated Pest Management site.

Short day length onions, which require 10-12 hours of daylight to form bulbs, are ideal for growers in southern states. Grow these short day length varieties in addition to our Cipollini Red Onion seeds: Red Rock Bulbing Onion, Red Burgundy Onion, Yellow Granax Bulbing Onion.