How to Grow Texas 1015 Onion

Texas 1015 Onion

Allium cepa 'Texas 1015'

vegetable

Texas 1015 is a sweet, short-day onion variety bred at Texas A&M University, renowned for its mild flavor and excellent storage capabilities. These large, golden-yellow onions are ideal for fresh eating, grilling, and storage, maturing in approximately 100-120 days. The variety is especially well-suited to southern growing regions where it has become a signature crop.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours daily for optimal bulb development

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Water: Consistent moisture, approximately 1-1.5 inches per week; reduce watering as bulbs mature and tops begin to yellow

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Spacing: 4 inches

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Days to maturity: 100-120 days from transplant

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Planting depth: Plant sets 1 inch deep; transplants at soil line

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost aged manure balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) sulfur if pH is too high

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 8-10; grown as winter/early spring crop in warm regions

8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

Growth Stages

Transplant/Establishment

2-3 weeks

Young plants with 2-3 green leaves, root system developing

Plant transplants or sets in fall (September-November in warm regions); keep soil consistently moist; apply balanced fertilizer at planting

Vegetative Growth

6-8 weeks

Foliage expands with multiple green leaves, underground bulb begins to swell

Maintain steady watering; apply nitrogen-rich fertilizer every 3-4 weeks; remove any flower buds that form; keep weed-free

Bulb Development

4-6 weeks

Visible swelling at soil line as bulb enlarges; foliage remains green and upright

Transition to lower nitrogen, higher phosphorus/potassium fertilizer; maintain consistent moisture; mulch lightly to retain moisture

Maturation

2-3 weeks

Bulb reaches full size; tops begin to yellow, weaken, and fall over

Reduce watering gradually as tops yellow; stop fertilizing; do not break over tops prematurely—let them fall naturally

Harvest & Curing

2-4 weeks curing time

Tops completely dried and brown; papery skin fully developed; bulbs ready for storage

Pull or dig bulbs when 50-75% of tops have fallen over; cure in warm, dry location with good air circulation for 2-4 weeks before storage

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Cabbage Carrot Lettuce Beet Spinach Chamomile Parsley

Avoid planting near:

Beans Peas Asparagus Garlic Leeks

Common Pests

Use row covers at planting; apply neem oil or spinosad; practice crop rotation; remove affected plants
Use reflective mulch; spray with insecticidal soap; maintain adequate moisture to discourage thrips
Use disease-resistant varieties; practice 3-year crop rotation; ensure good drainage; disinfect tools
Plant in well-draining soil; avoid overhead watering; store bulbs in cool, dry conditions; practice crop rotation
Improve air circulation; avoid overhead irrigation; apply copper fungicide if needed; remove affected foliage

Uses

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Fresh eating and grilling

Culinary

Texas 1015 onions are exceptionally sweet and mild with low pungency, making them ideal for eating raw in salads, salsas, and burgers. Their large size and firm structure also make them perfect for grilling and caramelizing. [source]

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Storage and preservation

Culinary

This variety is renowned for its excellent storage capabilities, retaining quality for 4-6 months when properly cured and stored in cool, dry conditions. Unlike many sweet onion varieties, Texas 1015 maintains its flavor and firm texture throughout the storage period. [source]

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Nutritional and health benefits

Medicinal

Like all onions, Texas 1015 contains quercetin, a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. The high sulfur content supports immune function and may have cardiovascular benefits. [source]

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Natural cleaning agent

Household

Onion juice and skins can be used as a natural cleaning solution and pest deterrent in the garden. The papery outer skins are also composted or used as mulch. [source]

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Pollinator and beneficial insect support

Wildlife

When allowed to bolt, onion flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinators. This is particularly useful if saving seed or encouraging natural pest control in the garden. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest when 50-75% of tops have naturally fallen over and begun to dry (typically April-May in Texas). Gently loosen soil with a fork and pull by hand. Avoid bruising bulbs. Cure in a warm (70-75°F), dry, well-ventilated location for 2-4 weeks until papery skin is completely dry. Store in mesh bags or braids in a cool (32-40°F), dry place; properly cured Texas 1015 onions can store 4-6 months.

Fun Facts

🌱 Texas 1015 was developed by Texas A&M University in the 1980s and was named for the ideal planting date in the Julian calendar (October 15) for Texas growers.
🌱 This variety is so iconic in Texas that it earned the designation of 'Texas Superb' vegetable and has won multiple All-America Selections awards.
🌱 Texas 1015 onions are sweet enough to eat like apples fresh from the garden, with sugar content that rivals many fruit varieties—some growers report Brix readings (sugar content) of 12-14%.

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