Patterson F1

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Golden globes with a firm, papery jacket—Patterson F1 brings a rich, sweet-onion aroma that deepens in storage.

At maturity, the bulbs form a classic flattened-to-round silhouette with a smooth, even skin and a dependable, uniform size for steady harvests. Ideal for long-term pantry keeping, Patterson F1 shines when you want reliable flavor that stays mellow and satisfying from season to season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 110 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 6th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	110
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)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Patterson F1 is built for the long game: its firm, well-jacketed bulbs keep that sweet-onion chemistry intact so you get the same mellow caramel flavor week after week. Use it for slow browning or jammy baking—its flesh turns glossy and sweet instead of going watery, which is where a lot of lesser storage onions betray you.

Best Uses

slow-caramelized onion jam for burgers and sandwiches
baked whole-onion halves that go jammy and sweet without collapsing
French onion soup with a steady melt and even browning
thin slicing for raw or quick-pickled applications where it stays crisp

Flavor Profile

sweet, mellow onion aroma firm, dry-ish flesh with a clean snap gentle sulfur sweetness that turns syrupy when cooked storage-ready flavor that stays consistent over time

Kitchen Pairings

butter thyme gruyère beef (or beef stock) balsamic vinegar black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Allium cepa (onion) like Patterson F1, and how can I control it?

Onions commonly suffer from purple blotch (Alternaria porri), which shows as purple-brown spots on leaves and can spread rapidly in cool, humid weather. Remove and discard heavily spotted leaves, improve airflow, and water at the soil line (not over the foliage). If you catch it early, rotate away from alliums and consider a labeled fungicide for onions, following the product’s interval and application directions.

How often should I water Patterson F1 onions during the main bulb-building phase?

During bulb formation, keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch of water per week, split as needed for your conditions. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent bulb rots, then resume consistent moisture so bulbs can size up. Stop regular watering when most tops have begun to yellow and fall, so bulbs dry down for harvest.

How do I know when Patterson F1 (Allium cepa) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when roughly half of the plant’s leaves have fallen over and the remaining tops are yellowing and drying, typically around 110 days from transplanting/seeding depending on your start. Gently lift one bulb to check—necks should be firm and outer skins should feel papery. Harvest on a dry day, and avoid leaving bulbs in wet soil for long once tops are failing to keep the skins from bruising or rotting.