Dutch Red

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Aromatic and richly pungent, Dutch Red shallots bring a deep, rosy-bronze sweetness that lingers with a silky, tender bite.

At maturity, the bulbs form neatly layered cloves with a smooth, satiny skin and a compact, well-balanced shape—ideal for gardeners who want dependable flavor from a single planting. Grow Dutch Red for bold, elegant results in everyday savory preparations, from quick sautés to glossy sauces and tangy pickles.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Bulbing

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
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)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Dutch Red leans into that classic shallot move: pungency up front, then a sweet, rosy softness that turns silky when cooked just long enough. It’s the kind of shallot that doesn’t just flavor—it gives you a tender, glossy texture in reductions and a crisp, tangy snap when pickled.

Best Uses

fast skillet sauté where it turns glossy without going sharp
glossy reduction sauces (pan sauces, shallot-wine reductions)
quick pickling for tangy, rosy-sweet crunch
finishing on warm potatoes, eggs, or steak for a clean, lingering allium perfume

Flavor Profile

deep rosy-bronze sweetness sharp, aromatic shallot pungency that softens quickly silky, tender bite with light allium bite

Kitchen Pairings

butter dry white wine red wine vinegar mushrooms thyme parmesan

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Allium cepa var. aggregatum (French Red/Dutch Red onion), and how can I control it?

Onions are especially prone to onion maggots, which cause wilting, tunneling in the bulb base, and ragged roots; adults lay eggs near the soil line. Cover seedlings with insect netting or row cover until plants are established, and keep soil surface undisturbed to reduce egg-laying. If you see tunneling/wilting, remove and destroy affected plants promptly so problems don’t spread.

How often should I water during the main growing phase for Allium cepa var. aggregatum?

During active leaf and bulb formation, keep soil evenly moist but not soggy—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total, adjusted for rain and heat. Let the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) dry slightly between waterings to prevent bulb rots, then resume steady moisture. When tops start to yellow and fall over (late season), reduce watering so bulbs can dry down and store well.

How do I know when Dutch Red (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when about 50–75% of the tops have turned yellow and are bending or starting to fall, and the bulbs have developed firm skins. Stop watering a couple of weeks before harvest to help skins dry. Lift carefully with a fork on dry days, then cure in a warm, airy place until necks are tight and skins are papery.