Red River F1

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Sweetly aromatic and richly colored, Red River F1 forms handsome red storage bulbs with a deep garnet skin and a firm, beautifully layered interior.

Expect a crisp, juicy bite with gentle sweetness that deepens in storage, making these onions a reliable foundation for long-season pantry favorites. Ideal for home gardeners seeking dependable red bulbs for keeping—bulb by bulb, season after season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 110 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 11th
Harvest Begins	Jul 30th
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

Red River F1 gives you a clean, crisp raw bite that stays sweet rather than sharp, then turns silky when you cook it down—great for slow caramel where the layers break evenly. Its storage habit means you can lean on that same dependable sweetness long after harvest, from weeknight sauté to long-braised onion soup.

Best Uses

slow-caramelized onion confit for burgers and sandwiches
thin slicing for crisp raw salads and quick pickles
braises and roasts where you want melt-in-the-pan sweetness without turning mushy
storage-friendly sauté base for soups, stews, and beans

Flavor Profile

crisp, juicy snap gentle sweetness with sweet-onion aromatics deeply caramelizable red-skin character firm, layered bite that softens evenly

Kitchen Pairings

balsamic vinegar aged cheddar beef (braises and burgers) thyme butter mustard

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease issue for Allium cepa (onion) and how do I manage it?

Onions (Allium cepa) commonly suffer from downy mildew (often first as pale green to yellow blotches on leaves, plus gray-purple growth during damp weather). Improve airflow, avoid wetting the foliage when irrigating, and remove badly affected leaves to reduce spread. If the problem persists in cool, humid stretches, use a labeled fungicide for downy mildew on onions and follow the spray interval on the label.

How often should I water Allium cepa during the main growing phase to keep bulbs forming well?

During active leaf growth and early bulb development, keep soil evenly moist—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total, split into 1–2 watering sessions. Once bulbs start enlarging, water a bit more sparingly so the soil isn’t soggy, since waterlogged conditions encourage rot. Stop regular watering when most tops have fallen over and the necks begin to soften, letting skins dry for storage.

How can I tell when Allium cepa is ready to harvest (Red River F1)?

Harvest when 50–75% of the tops have fallen over and the outer skins feel papery, with necks tightened (not still thick and green). Onions are usually ready around 110 days from sowing, but check the skins and neck firmness first rather than the calendar. Lift gently with a fork, cure in a warm, airy place out of direct sun for about 1–2 weeks, then trim roots and tops for storage.