Carmen F1

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Carmen F1 brings a richly colored, deep mahogany-red bulb with a satin-smooth skin that glows under the garden sun.

Expect a crisp, juicy bite and a balanced, gently pungent allium flavor that holds beautifully in storage—ideal for homegrown red storage onions you can rely on through the season. Grow Carmen F1 for dependable, uniform bulbs and a striking color that elevates every pantry staple.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 105 DaysHabit: Bulbing

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	Aug 1st
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	105
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bulbing
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	40
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Carmen F1 is built for the long game: crisp and juicy raw, then turns silky and sweet when you give it time. The deep red bulb color and steady pungency make it especially good for caramelized or braised onions that look as good as they taste.

Best Uses

thin slicing for sharp, crunchy raw salads and bagel/cold cuts where it won’t go watery fast
caramelizing—deep color stays attractive while the bite sweetens cleanly
slow-cooked base for braises and soups where it melts into a glossy, balanced foundation
storage-ready roasting quarters for jammy edges and a sweet finish

Flavor Profile

balanced allium bite crisp, juicy crunch sweet-leaning red-onion pungency satin-smooth skins with clean snap when sliced

Kitchen Pairings

balsamic vinegar goat cheese caramelized butter mustard beef or lamb thyme

Frequently Asked Questions

What common problem affects Allium cepa (onion) and what should I do for it?

One frequent issue is onion thrips, which cause silvery streaks on leaves and can stunt bulbs if unmanaged. Check plants weekly by tapping foliage over white paper and treat early with insecticidal soap (especially on the undersides) and remove any badly affected leaves. If the problem persists, rotate controls and avoid repeated broad-spectrum sprays that can flare secondary pests.

How often should I water Allium cepa during the main growing phase?

During active leaf and bulb growth, keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) per week total, adjusted for rainfall and heat. Water deeply 1–2 times per week so moisture reaches the root zone, then let the top few centimeters dry slightly between waterings. When bulbs start enlarging, reduce watering to avoid cracked or soft bulbs.

How can I tell when Allium cepa is ready to harvest?

Harvest when about 50–75% of tops have fallen over and the remaining leaves are mostly dry, typically around the 105-day mark for this crop. Lift bulbs with a fork and gently cure them in a warm, airy spot out of direct rain for 1–2 weeks until skins are papery. If you can’t wait, onions harvested before full top fall should be used sooner because they store less well.