Patterson

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Patterson to a garden.

Golden globes of Patterson Onion unfurl with a sweet, mellow bite and a clean, aromatic finish—skins that glow warm straw-yellow and flesh that turns tender and juicy as they mature.

The bulbs form a classic, well-balanced round silhouette with crisp outer layers and a fine, uniform texture that holds its integrity for everyday kitchen favorites, from caramelizing to savory roasts, and from fresh slices to hearty sauces. Grow Patterson for a dependable 110-day rhythm and the kind of flavor that feels bright even when simmered low.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 110 DaysHabit: Bulbing

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Patterson 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	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 3a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 3b	Mar 10th	May 12th	Aug 30th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 6th	May 8th	Aug 26th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 4th	May 6th	Aug 24th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Feb 27th	May 1st	Aug 19th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Feb 23rd	Apr 27th	Aug 15th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Feb 20th	Apr 24th	Aug 12th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 14th	Apr 18th	Aug 6th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 9th	Apr 13th	Aug 1st – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Jan 30th	Apr 3rd	Jul 22nd – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Jan 21st	Mar 25th	Jul 13th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 12th	Mar 16th	Jul 4th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Dec 26th	Feb 27th	Jun 17th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 1st	Feb 2nd	May 23rd – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	110
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bulbing
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Patterson’s mellow sweetness and even texture make it a workhorse: it caramelizes without going bitter and roasts into jammy, spoonable layers. Use it thin and raw when you want onion flavor that feels bright, not sharp.

Best Uses

slow caramelize into glossy, evenly sweet slices
braise/roast until jammy and syrupy in pan drippings
use raw in thin rings for a sweet bite without harshness
fold into savory soups and sauces that simmer low for hours

Flavor Profile

sweet, mellow bite clean aromatic onion finish tender, juicy texture as it matures crisp outer layers that soften evenly

Kitchen Pairings

butter thyme gruyère beef chuck balsamic vinegar mushrooms

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent and treat onion (Allium cepa) downy mildew and purple blotch?

Downy mildew and purple blotch show up as gray-purple lesions on leaves, often after cool, damp weather. Remove and discard heavily affected leaves, improve airflow with wider spacing, and water at the base so foliage stays dry. If the problem is active, use a labeled fungicide for onions and repeat as directed, especially during wet stretches.

How often should I water Allium cepa during bulbing (mid-to-late season) to avoid split bulbs?

During bulbing, keep soil consistently evenly moist but not waterlogged—about 1 inch (2–3 cm) of water per week depending on rainfall and heat. Water deeply, then let the top 1–2 inches (2–5 cm) of soil dry slightly before watering again. Stop regular watering and let tops fall over naturally in the final 2–3 weeks so bulbs can dry down and store well.

What are the best signs that Patterson onion (Allium cepa) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when roughly half to two-thirds of the tops have fallen over and the necks feel dry and tight, typically around 110 days. Gently lift a bulb—mature onions should have firm bulbs and dry outer skins with good color. Harvest on a dry day, then cure with airflow (warm and shaded) until outer skins are papery and necks are fully dried.