Ed's Red

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Sweetly pungent and richly aromatic, Ed’s Red shallot brings a silky, tender bite with a warm, coppery-red skin that peels back to reveal pale, creamy flesh.

At maturity, the bulbs form neat clusters that roast up beautifully, while their delicate flavor shines in fresh preparations and quick pickles—ideal for gardeners who love bold yet refined depth. Grow Ed’s Red for a dependable, garden-to-table favorite that rewards attention with elegant, long-storing bulbs.

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)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Ed’s Red shallot is built for clean, fast conversion: raw it snaps tenderly without going harsh, but heat turns that sweet-pungent edge into a jammy, roasty fragrance. It’s the kind of allium that holds its own in quick pickles and gives your sauté bases a noticeably sweeter, silkier finish.

Best Uses

thin raw slices in vinaigrette-dressed salads or on charred bread
quick pickles for a sharp, rosy crunch
roasted wedges for jammy caramelization
fast sauté base for pan sauce and braises

Flavor Profile

sweetly pungent allium bite rich, coppery-red skin aroma silky-tender crunch when raw warm, mellow sweetness when cooked

Kitchen Pairings

aged balsamic vinegar fresh thyme dry white wine butter or crème fraîche gruyère pork or roast chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Allium cepa (Ed’s Red) onions, and how can I prevent it?

Onion thrips and downy mildew are among the most common problems, especially in humid weather. Inspect leaves weekly for silvery streaking (thrips) and for gray-purple, fuzzy growth near leaf tips (downy mildew), then improve airflow and avoid overhead watering. If the disease is starting, remove heavily affected leaves and apply a labeled fungicide for downy mildew on onions; for thrips, use insecticidal soap or a spinosad product per the label and target new leaf growth.

How often should I water Ed’s Red onions during the main growing phase?

During the bulbing/leaf-expansion phase, keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split into 1–2 waterings if it doesn’t rain. Check by feel: the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) should be moist, not soggy, and the soil should not stay wet between waterings. As the plants start to yellow and tip over near maturity, gradually reduce watering to help bulbs cure and avoid rot.

How do I know when Ed’s Red onions are ready to harvest?

Harvest when about 50–70% of the plants have fallen over and the necks start to dry and shrink; this usually lines up around the 90-day mark for Ed’s Red. Lift a sample bulb: skins should be papery and firmly attached, and the outer layer should not feel translucent. Harvest on a dry day and cure the bulbs in a warm, airy place out of direct sun for 2–3 weeks before storage.