Red Baron

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Crisp, jewel-bright red bulbs rise with a sweet, mellow bite—deep garnet skins that gleam like polished velvet.

Red Baron forms large, globe-to-flattened onions with tight, dry outer layers and a firm, juicy interior that stays pleasantly tender. Grow for standout fresh slices and vibrant color in salads, or for rich, caramelized flavor in roasts and skillet favorites—its color holds beautifully from pan to plate.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 100 DaysHabit: Bulbing

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Aug 3rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	100
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)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Built for people who want that sweet, bright onion hit without the harsh edge—its firm, juicy interior makes it shine in raw slices and quick-cooked applications. When you caramelize or roast it, the sugars brown cleanly and the red color stays striking all the way through the heat.

Best Uses

fresh red-onion slices for salads and slaws
fast skillet sauté where you want color without mush
slow caramelizing or roasting for jammy, dark edges
grilled onion wedges that hold their firmness

Flavor Profile

mellow-sweet onion bite crisp, juicy crunch tender when cooked without collapsing deep red-skin color that stays vivid

Kitchen Pairings

balsamic vinegar blue cheese goat cheese thyme beef butter

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests or diseases commonly affect Allium cepa (red onions), and how can I manage them in a home garden?

Onions (Allium cepa) are prone to onion thrips and purple blotch/leaf blight. Start by removing and destroying badly spotted leaves, avoid overhead watering, and space plants for airflow; if thrips are visible, use insecticidal soap and repeat every 5–7 days until they drop. For purple blotch, keep the foliage dry, and apply a labeled fungicide if the disease keeps spreading after sanitation.

How often should I water red onions during the main bulbing growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I aim for?

During bulbing (roughly mid-season through about a few weeks before tops fall over), keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—typically about 1 inch of water per week total, adjusted for rainfall and heat. Water deeply, then let the top 1–2 inches of soil dry slightly before watering again to prevent rot and disease. Stop increasing water once bulbs are sizing up well, and reduce watering to avoid split or soft bulbs near maturity.

How do I tell when Allium cepa red onions are ready to harvest?

Harvest when most tops (about 50–75%) have fallen over and the necks start to dry down, while bulbs have reached full size for the variety and feel firm. Usually this is around the 100-day mark from planting, but use the top condition as your main cue. Lift carefully to avoid bruising, then cure in a warm, airy place out of direct sun until skins are papery and the necks are tight.