Redwing

Family: Amaryllidaceae Bulb Onion

Planting Schedule

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Sweetly aromatic and richly savory, Redwing onions form handsome, medium-to-large bulbs with a burnished red skin that deepens to a jewel tone at maturity.

The flesh is crisp and juicy, offering a balanced bite that softens beautifully into a mellow, golden sweetness when roasted or sautéed, while still staying bright for fresh use. Grow Redwing for dependable intermediate-day performance and a harvest that shines in salads, relishes, and slow-simmered sauces alike.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 105 DaysHabit: Bulbing

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Redwing 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	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 28th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Sep 1st – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 28th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Aug 26th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Aug 21st – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Aug 17th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Aug 14th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Aug 8th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Aug 3rd – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jul 24th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jul 15th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jul 6th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Jun 19th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	May 25th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	105
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)	32
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Redwing’s balanced bite stays lively raw—juicy and clean—then melts into a golden sweetness without turning muddy. It’s a workhorse allium for anything that asks for crisp-to-silky transformation, from salad ribbons to deeply reduced onion sauces.

Best Uses

thin slicing for crisp salads and quick relishes
sautéing into glossy base for soups, stews, and braises
roasting until caramel-burnished for jammy edges
slow-simmering into a mellow onion sauce or gravy

Flavor Profile

sweetly aromatic onion bite crisp, juicy crunch that turns silky savory depth with a mellowing roast-sweet finish

Kitchen Pairings

balsamic vinegar thyme gruyere butter beef stock smoked paprika

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Allium cepa (onion) and how can I manage it in my garden?

Onions are commonly hit by onion fly and fungal problems like downy mildew, which show as drooping leaves and gray-purple, fuzzy growth under humid conditions. Use floating row cover over transplants or seedlings, and remove any infected leaves early to reduce spread. Space plants well and water at the soil level (not the foliage) to keep leaf surfaces dry, then consider an appropriate fungicide labeled for onions if downy mildew pressure is high.

How often should I water Allium cepa during its main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I aim for?

During bulbing (mid-season), keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for roughly 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split across 1–2 deep waterings. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings, since waterlogged soil can suppress bulb growth and increase rot risk. Once tops begin to yellow and fall naturally, reduce watering to help bulbs cure.

How do I tell when Allium cepa (red onion) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when about 50–75% of the tops have fallen over and the remaining leaves are yellowing and drying, with the bulb skins feeling papery. Don’t wait for full leaf collapse—bulbs can over-swell and split if left too long. Lift carefully and cure in a warm, airy spot for about 2 weeks until necks are tight and skins are fully dry.