Ailsa Craig

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Sweet, golden bulbs with a gentle bite—Ailsa Craig brings a luminous, honeyed flavor and a beautifully crisp yet tender texture to the garden.

The classic Yellow Onion form develops firm, well-filled layers that roast to a melting softness and shine in fresh salads, slow-simmered sauces, and quick pickling for a bright, balanced tang. Grow it for reliable, home-garden performance and that unmistakably refined “Ailsa” sweetness at harvest.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 95 DaysHabit: Bulbing

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Ailsa Craig Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 18th	Aug 21st – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 8th	Aug 11th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Aug 11th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 12th	Aug 15th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Aug 11th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 6th	Aug 9th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Aug 4th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	Apr 27th	Jul 31st – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	Apr 24th	Jul 28th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 18th	Jul 22nd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 13th	Jul 17th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 3rd	Jul 7th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Mar 25th	Jun 28th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 16th	Jun 19th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Feb 27th	Jun 2nd – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 2nd	May 8th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 4th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 4th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 4th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 4th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 4th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 4th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 4th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 4th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	95
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bulbing
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Ailsa Craig is the “refined” yellow onion: sweet and golden up front, with a bite that mellows into jammy tenderness without turning flat. It roasts into silky layers and also holds crispness in quick pickles, making it a standout when you want flavor that reads as honeyed rather than just pungent.

Best Uses

caramelized onions that stay glossy and not-too-sweet
roasted onion wedges that go melting at the edges
quick pickling for crisp, balanced tang
thin slicing raw or barely dressed salads for snap and sweetness

Flavor Profile

honeyed sweetness gentle, crisp bite that softens fast firm, well-layered bulb with a tender-melting roast

Kitchen Pairings

butter thyme balsamic vinegar gruyère beef broth

Frequently Asked Questions

Ailsa Craig tomato plants keep getting brown, concentric rings on lower leaves—what disease is it and how do I stop it?

Brown concentric rings on older, lower leaves of Ailsa Craig tomatoes are classic for early blight (Alternaria). Remove and destroy infected leaves immediately, then spray with a labeled fungicide for tomato early blight and repeat according to the label (especially after rain/dew). Keep foliage as dry as possible by watering at the soil line and spacing plants so air moves through the canopy.

How often should I water Ailsa Craig tomatoes during the main growing phase to avoid fruit cracking and blossom-end rot?

During active flowering and fruit set, water deeply enough to moisten the root zone, typically every 2–3 days in warm weather, but only when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. Aim for steady moisture—don’t let the soil swing from very dry to fully soaked, which can trigger cracking. Use a soaker hose or drip and keep water off leaves; mulch helps maintain even moisture around the plants.

When is Ailsa Craig ready to harvest, and what signs should I look for?

Harvest when fruits are fully colored (a deep, uniform red) and reach their typical large “heirloom” size—Ailsa Craig usually matures in about 95 days. Pick fruits when they come off the vine with a gentle twist and the skin is firm but gives slightly under light pressure. If frost threatens, harvest even slightly less-red fruit and let them ripen indoors at warm room temperature.