Redwing

Family: Amaryllidaceae Bulb Onion

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

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 25th
Harvest Begins	Aug 8th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

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.