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Seeds
Amaryllidaceae
Organic seeds
'Red Baron' Red Onion organic
Allium cepa
Product code : TOURNE-0107
‘Red Baron’ is an organic, open-pollinated red onion that develops well-formed round bulbs beneath deep red skins. Its white flesh marked with red rings has a robust flavour that works well raw in salads and sandwiches or cooked in soups, stir-fries, and roasted dishes. Start seeds indoors about eight weeks before spring transplanting. Place the plants in full sun and loose, fertile soil, leaving 10 to 15 cm between them. Maintain steady moisture to support their shallow roots. Harvest is expected approximately 100 days after planting, when the tops begin to fall and dry. Each packet contains 100 organic seeds for a sunny Canadian vegetable garden or a large container.
- Quantity
- 100 seeds
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Life cycle
- Biennial grown as an annual
Discover the plant
Common name‘Red Baron’ Red Onion
FamilyAmaryllidaceae
GenusAllium
Speciescepa
CultivarRed Baron
TypeSeeds
Botanical nameAllium cepa
Reproducible seedsYes
'Red Baron' Red Onion organic (Allium cepa) provides two useful harvest stages: young plants first produce red-stemmed green onions, while plants left in place develop red bulbs. Ferme Tourne-Sol offers this variety in a packet of 100 organic, open-pollinated seeds and lists 100 days to maturity. Globe-shaped bulbs have red skins and white flesh marked with red rings, with a robust onion flavour. Enjoy them raw in salads or cooked in roasted dishes, sauces, and stir-fries. This progression lets gardeners choose the harvest stage that best matches their intended kitchen use.
Start seed indoors about eight weeks before spring transplanting. Sow 6 mm deep in a fine seed-starting mix and keep it evenly moist through emergence. Move seedlings under abundant light as soon as they appear. After gradual hardening, transplant into full sun and loose, fertile, well-drained soil. Hardened young plants tolerate frost. Leave 10 to 15 cm between plants intended for bulbs. For a small green-onion harvest, lift selected younger plants without disturbing those that will continue enlarging. This progression lets gardeners choose the harvest stage that best matches their intended kitchen use.
Onions have shallow roots, so maintain even moisture and hand-weed near developing bulbs. A thin mulch can reduce evaporation when necks remain uncovered. Avoid excess nitrogen once bulbs begin enlarging. Around 100 days, watch the tops; when they yellow, fall, and begin to dry, lift bulbs without bruising them. Cure under a warm, dry, well-ventilated shelter before storage. Use damaged bulbs promptly and keep sound ones in a cool, dry, airy place. Check stored onions regularly and discard any that soften or develop decay. Record the harvest date to refine the local schedule during the following growing season.
Sowing guide
It all startswith a seed.
Sowing depth
6 mm (1/4 in)
Spacing / density
10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) between plants
Germination temperature
10 to 24°C (50 to 75°F)
Germination time
7 to 14 days
Sowing period
Start indoors 8 weeks before transplanting. Plant in spring. Tolerates frost.
Propagation
Seed
Growing method
Sow ‘Red Baron’ onion indoors about eight weeks before the intended transplanting date. Cover seeds with 6 mm of fine, moist seed-starting mix, then keep the medium evenly damp without standing water. A temperature of 10 to 24°C supports germination, which generally occurs in 7 to 14 days. Move seedlings under abundant light as soon as they emerge, and trim the foliage lightly if it becomes excessively long. Harden plants gradually before setting them out in early spring; hardened seedlings tolerate frost. Choose full sun and loose, fertile, well-drained soil. Space plants 10 to 15 cm apart and keep the growing point near the surface. Water regularly because onion roots remain shallow. Weed carefully without cultivating deeply. A thin mulch helps stabilize moisture when necks remain uncovered. Avoid excessive nitrogen once bulbs begin enlarging. After approximately 100 days, harvest when the tops fall and start to dry, preferably during a rain-free period. Lift bulbs gently with a fork instead of pulling the foliage. Cure them for two to four weeks under a warm, dry shelter with good air circulation. Use any bruised or split bulb first. Label the row at transplanting and record the date so the stated 100-day maturity can be followed accurately in your own growing conditions.
Soil and care
The right care,at the right time.
Care level
Easy to intermediate
Watering
Keep the seed-starting mix evenly moist during germination, then water deeply enough to moisten the full root zone. Onions have shallow roots and respond poorly to strong cycles of drought and saturation. Check soil regularly, especially in containers and while bulbs are enlarging. Water in the morning at soil level, and reduce irrigation when the tops fall before harvest so the bulbs can finish maturing.
Soil type
‘Red Baron’ prefers loose, fertile, well-drained soil that holds steady moisture without remaining waterlogged. Incorporate mature compost before planting to improve structure and fertility. Avoid compacted ground that restricts bulb expansion. A pH of 6.0 to 7.8 is suitable. In containers, use a quality potting mix and provide free drainage through several holes rather than using dense garden soil. Keep the surface free of crusting after heavy rain.
Fertilization
Before planting, amend the soil with mature compost. If fertility is low, apply a balanced fertilizer lightly during active growth according to label directions. Avoid excess nitrogen, especially once bulbs begin enlarging, because lush foliage can delay maturity. In containers, small, spaced applications can replace nutrients washed out by frequent watering without encouraging excessive leafy growth. Stop feeding as the tops begin to fall and dry.
Seasonal care
In late winter, sow ‘Red Baron’ indoors about eight weeks before transplanting. Keep the mix moist and provide abundant light immediately after emergence. If leaves become very long, trim them lightly without damaging the growing point. In early spring, harden seedlings for about a week by gradually increasing outdoor exposure. Transplant into full sun as soon as the soil is workable; hardened young onions tolerate frost. Through spring and early summer, weed regularly because shallow onion roots compete poorly with unwanted plants. Maintain even moisture and renew a thin mulch when needed without covering the necks. Stop high-nitrogen feeding when bulbs begin to enlarge. Approximately 100 days after planting, observe the tops instead of relying only on the calendar. When they fall and dry, reduce watering and harvest during dry weather. Cure bulbs for two to four weeks under a warm, dry, well-ventilated shelter. Use damaged bulbs first and keep sound bulbs in a cool, dry, airy place for gradual kitchen use. Record sowing, transplanting, and harvest dates to improve timing in the following season. After heavy rain, make sure water is not collecting around plants and loosen only the surface crust. Inspect foliage for spots, unusual yellowing, or insect damage, and remove diseased debris instead of leaving it on the soil. Turn curing bulbs gently if one side remains damp. Label each batch and note important dates so timing can be adjusted in the following season.
Container growing
A garden,within reach.
Recommended pot size
Container at least 25 to 30 cm deep; 10 to 15 cm between plants
‘Red Baron’ can grow in a container when each bulb receives adequate space. Choose a planter at least 25 to 30 cm deep with several drainage holes. Its width determines the number of plants: keep 10 to 15 cm between them. Fill it with quality potting mix amended with mature compost rather than dense garden soil. Place the container where it receives at least six to eight hours of direct sun. Transplant hardened seedlings without burying their growing points. Water thoroughly, let the excess drain, and check moisture often because potting mix dries quickly in wind. A very thin mulch can slow evaporation, but leave the necks uncovered. Feed lightly if growth becomes pale and avoid heavy nitrogen applications. Rotate the container if a wall shades one side. When the tops fall, reduce watering, lift the bulbs, and cure them outside the planter in a ventilated location. Clean the container before the next crop and avoid reusing diseased potting mix. Raise the planter if water collects beneath it after rain. Inspect leaves weekly and remove only those that are fully dry or diseased. A wheeled stand makes a large planter easier to move toward better light. Replace any potting mix showing signs of disease before growing another allium crop.
Bloom and dimensions
Its place,in your garden.
Mature height
40 to 60 cm
Width / spread
10 to 15 cm
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Deciduous
Growth rate
Moderate
Growth habit
Upright foliage
Fruiting
The harvested portion is first a red-stemmed green onion, then a globe-shaped red bulb when the plant continues growing. Tourne-Sol lists 100 days to maturity. When tops yellow, fall, and dry, lift bulbs without bruising them, then cure them under a ventilated shelter. Red papery skins and dry necks indicate that a sound bulb is ready for storage. Inspect every bulb during curing and remove any showing decay.
Days to maturity
100 days
Harvest
Green onions at the young stage; red bulbs around 100 days when tops fall and dry
Garden associations
In goodcompany.
Companion plants
Lettuce, beets, and carrots can share a bed with ‘Red Baron’ because they enjoy full sun, fertile soil, and steady moisture. These combinations mainly organize space and harvests; they do not guarantee protection from insects or disease. Keep 10 to 15 cm around each onion and prevent vigorous neighbours from shading its foliage. Weed gently to avoid damaging shallow roots. Use crop rotation and avoid growing onions, garlic, or other alliums continuously in the same location. Keep paths accessible so every row can be watered at soil level and inspected easily while bulbs enlarge. Label neighbouring crops clearly and preserve enough airflow between dense plantings.
Recipe idea
From the gardento your plate.
Edible parts
Bulbs and young leaves
Make a crisp salsa with one small ‘Red Baron’ onion. Dice the bulb very finely, then combine it with two seeded, chopped tomatoes, half a diced cucumber, the juice of one lime, 15 ml (1 tbsp) of oil, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Add chopped cilantro or parsley to taste. Refrigerate for 15 minutes so the flavours blend. The white flesh marked with red rings keeps its texture, while the onion’s natural sweetness balances the acidity of the lime and tomatoes. Serve with corn chips, fish, tacos, or grilled vegetables. For an even milder result, soak the diced onion in cold water for five minutes, then drain it thoroughly before mixing. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container and use them promptly to preserve their fresh flavour and crunch. Add finely diced sweet pepper when a colourful variation is desired. Prepare the salsa shortly before serving and use a clean cutting board. Lemon can replace lime, and a small hot pepper adds heat when desired. Serve it cold for the crispest texture.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions,answered.
How should ‘Red Baron’ onion be sown?
Start seeds indoors about eight weeks before transplanting. Sow 6 mm deep in a fine, moist seed-starting mix. Keep moisture even without waterlogging the medium; at 10 to 24°C, emergence generally takes 7 to 14 days. Place seedlings under abundant light as soon as they appear. Harden them gradually, then transplant into full sun in early spring. Hardened young plants tolerate frost. Space them 10 to 15 cm apart in loose, fertile, well-drained soil. Keep the growing point near the surface, water immediately after planting, and weed gently around the shallow roots. Check moisture frequently while transplants establish and avoid burying the necks under heavy mulch.
What are the qualities of ‘Red Baron’ onion?
Ferme Tourne-Sol describes ‘Red Baron’ as a robust red onion with deep red skin and white flesh marked with red rings that forms globe-shaped bulbs. This combination makes it versatile in the kitchen. Sliced raw, it adds crunch to salads, sandwiches, salsas, and quick pickles. Cooked, it becomes tender and develops rich flavour in soups, sauces, stir-fries, and roasted dishes. The variety reaches maturity in approximately 100 days. To support uniform bulbs, provide full sun, loose fertile soil, steady moisture, and 10 to 15 cm of spacing between plants. Harvest when the tops fall and begin to dry rather than relying only on the calendar. Its deep red skin also makes the bulbs easy to identify while lifting them from dark garden soil.
When should ‘Red Baron’ onion be harvested?
‘Red Baron’ reaches maturity in approximately 100 days, but the foliage provides the best harvest guide. Lift the bulbs when most tops have fallen and begun to dry. Choose a rain-free day, loosen the soil, and avoid bruising the bulbs. Cure them for two to four weeks under a warm, dry, well-ventilated shelter. The necks should feel tight and the outer skins should be dry before bulbs are put away. Use any cut, soft, or damaged bulbs promptly. Keep sound bulbs in a cool, dry, airy place protected from freezing and inspect them regularly. Do not wash onions before curing; gently remove loose soil only after the skins have dried.
Can ‘Red Baron’ onion be grown in a container?
Yes. Choose a container at least 25 to 30 cm deep with plenty of drainage holes and enough width to keep plants 10 to 15 cm apart. Use quality potting mix amended with mature compost and place the container in full sun. Transplant without burying the growing point. Water thoroughly, let excess water drain, and check moisture often because planters dry quickly. Light feeding is sufficient; too much nitrogen favours foliage over bulb growth. When the tops fall, reduce watering, harvest, and cure the bulbs outside the container under a ventilated shelter. Rotate the pot if a wall shades one side and keep the onion necks free of heavy mulch.
Are ‘Red Baron’ seeds organic and open-pollinated?
Yes. Ferme Tourne-Sol offers ‘Red Baron’ in a packet of 100 organic, open-pollinated seeds. Onion is biennial: it generally forms a bulb in the first year and flowers after a cold period. To maintain the variety, keep several healthy bulbs, cure them correctly, and replant them the following season. Onions cross readily with other varieties of the same species, so substantial isolation or a controlled-pollination method is necessary. Let the umbels mature fully, collect the black seeds, and dry them carefully before storage in a cool, dry, dark place. Label the packet with the variety and year, and test older seed before relying on it for a full planting.
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