SproutSmart
SproutSmart™ Intelligent Garden Sowing

Redwing F1

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Redwing F1 to a garden.

Aromatically sweet at first whiff, Redwing F1 forms handsome, globe-true bulbs with a rich mahogany-red outer skin that deepens in storage.

Inside, the flesh turns crisp white with a rosy blush near the rings, offering a satisfying snap and a clean, balanced bite that shines in long-lasting pantry favorites. Ideal for red storage use—grow for dependable bulbing and robust flavor that carries through the season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 110 DaysHabit: Bulbing

Botanical illustration of Redwing F1

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Redwing F1 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 24th Jun 30th Oct 18th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a Mar 20th Jun 26th Oct 14th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b Mar 18th Jun 24th Oct 12th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a Mar 13th Jun 19th Oct 7th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b Mar 9th Jun 15th Oct 3rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a Mar 6th Jun 12th Sep 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b Feb 28th Jun 6th Sep 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a Feb 23rd Jun 1st Sep 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b Feb 13th May 22nd Sep 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a Feb 4th May 13th Aug 31st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b Jan 26th May 4th Aug 22nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a Jan 9th Apr 17th Aug 5th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b Dec 15th Mar 23rd Jul 11th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a — Oct 1st Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b — Oct 1st Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a — Oct 1st Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b — Oct 1st Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a — Oct 1st Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b — Oct 1st Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a — Oct 1st Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b — Oct 1st Jan 19th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity110
Sun RequirementsFull SunFull sun
Growth HabitBulbing
Support NeededNone
Planting DepthNormal
Germination Temp (°F)70
Min Soil Temp (°F)50
Min Night Temp (°F)35
Harden Off (days)7

Culinary Notes


Chef's Note

Redwing F1 has that unmistakable sweet-to-sharp transition and a high “snap” that stays present even when cooked down—great for anything from jammy confit to crisp raw slices. Its pantry-friendly storage flavor means it keeps tasting like itself long after harvest, not like dried-out onion mush.

Best Uses

  • slow-braised red onion jam or confit where it melts evenly
  • caramelized onions for burgers and jammy tartlets
  • thin-sliced salads where the snap stays crisp
  • storage-forward roasting: wedges that hold structure on a sheet pan

Flavor Profile

sweet-allium bite that turns clean and balanced crisp, snappy texture with a rosy ring blush deepening caramel notes in the pan light natural bite that won’t dominate

Kitchen Pairings

balsamic vinegar goat cheese beef chuck or brisket thyme butter red wine

Frequently Asked Questions


What pest or disease commonly affects Allium cepa (onion) and what should I do about it?
Onions are especially prone to purple blotch (Alternaria porri) and downy mildew under cool, wet conditions. Remove and destroy infected tops, then improve airflow and water at the base (not the leaves); for home beds, a labeled fungicide is most effective when applied early at the first spotting. If you see maggots or thrips, cover seedlings with fine mesh while plants are small and avoid keeping volunteer onions nearby.
How often should I water Allium cepa during the main growing phase?
During active leaf growth and early bulb swelling, keep soil evenly moist but not soggy—about 1 inch of water per week, split into 2–3 sessions if needed. Once bulbs begin to swell, reduce frequency so the soil dries slightly between waterings; overly wet soil near harvest can cause rot and poor keeping. Check moisture at 2–3 inches deep: water only when it feels moderately dry there.
How can I tell when Allium cepa is ready to harvest?
Harvest when about half the plants have fallen over and the necks are starting to dry and thin, typically around 110 days from sowing (varies with season). Stop watering once tops begin to yellow to help bulbs finish curing. Lift carefully on a dry day, then cure in a warm, airy spot until skins are papery and the necks feel dry (usually 1–2 weeks) before storing.