Red Karmen red onion plants (autumn planting) - Allium cepa

Allium cepa Noordhollandse Bloedrode
Onion, Common onion, Garden onion

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Lovely onions.

Dominique H., 26/10/2018

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Each size 14/21 mm

From 3,90 €

Price per item 4,90 €
Price for 3: 11,70 € i.e 3,90 € each

Sku: 43811

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Each size 14/21 mm

6,90 €

Price per item 6,90 €
Price for 3: 17,70 € i.e 5,90 € each

Sku: 4381

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More information

A variety that produces beautiful dark red onions, slightly flattened, with excellent flavour. It is an onion that keeps very well. Bulbs should be planted in autumn or spring.

Ease of cultivation

Beginner

Height at maturity

30 cm

Spread at maturity

10 cm

Exposure

Sun

Soil moisture

Moist soil

Best planting time February to April, October to November

Recommended planting time February to April, October to November

JAN J

FEB F

MAR M

APR A

MAY M

JUN J

JUL J

AUG A

SEP S

OCT O

NOV N

DEC D

Harvest time May to August

JAN J

FEB F

MAR M

APR A

MAY M

JUN J

JUL J

AUG A

SEP S

OCT O

NOV N

DEC D

Description

The Bloedrode or Noordhollandse Bloedrode Red Onion (dark red from Holland) is an excellent variety that produces large, slightly flattened, shiny dark red bulbs. The variety also stands out for its delicious flavour and long storage life. You can plant its bulblets in autumn in mild climates or from February to April to harvest them as early as the end of spring or in July and August.

The onion is an herbaceous plant that produces a single bulb topped with hollow, cylindrical stems. It belongs to the Liliaceae family, like garlic, shallots, and chives. The onion is mainly cultivated for its bulb and sometimes for its stems, which are consumed similarly to chives.

There are three groups of onions distinguished by the colour of the bulb:

white onions, early varieties, consumed in vegetable gardens, for example, or pickled in vinegar,
yellow onions, for storage, often consumed cooked (in soups, pissaladières, as accompaniments to cheese or charcuterie),
red onions, usually consumed raw in salads.

There are also less common pink onions, such as the Roscoff pink onion.

Rich in vitamins A, B, and C and minerals, onions are often more digestible when cooked and develop a sweeter flavour. To avoid crying while cutting an onion, peel it under running water, in a water basin, or wear swimming goggles!

Historically, onions originated from Central Asia, where they have been consumed for over 6000 years. They were also found in the pharaohs' tombs as a food source. Their therapeutic and gustatory properties were already recognised. The Romans later introduced onions to Western Europe. It is also worth noting that Christopher Columbus introduced onions to the Americas during his second voyage.

Harvesting: White onions are harvested in spring when the foliage is still green. Coloured onions (yellow and red) are harvested in summer when the stems are thoroughly dried and fall to the ground. Gently pull them out and dry them on the ground in the sun for two to three days. Remove the excess dried soil by lightly rubbing them.

Storage: Onions can be stored for several months under good conditions. If the condition of the stems allows, you can make a braid and hang the bundles. Otherwise, cut off the leaves and store the onions in a dark, cool, dry, and well-ventilated place. Check beforehand that they have not been bruised to prevent rot that could contaminate the entire harvest.

Gardener's tip: alternate rows of onions and carrots to keep carrot fly and onion fly away. Additionally, onions thrive in the company of beets, strawberries, and lettuce.

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Onion : sowing, planting, cultivation, harvest

Family sheet

Modified the 5 August 2025 by Aurélien 14 min.

Onion : sowing, planting, cultivation, harvest

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The <a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/vegetable-gardens/vegetables-by-variety/onions.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">onion</a> is a root vegetable from the Liliaceae family, which includes many culinary and aromatic plants such as <a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/gardening-tips/familysheet/garlic-planting-growing-harvesting-in-the-vegetable-garden/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">garlic</a>, shallot, leek, and chives. The onion is grown as a vegetable and as a condiment, its bulb is the most commonly consumed part, but the leaves and stems, like chives, are also edible. Onions are commonly classified into two categories: spring onions and storage onions (known as "keeping" onions). The former are harvested with their fresh leaves and consumed whole. These are often white onion varieties such as 'Blanc Printanier Parisien' and 'Rouge de Florence', both of which have a sweet flesh, making them excellent for salads and raw dishes. Storage onions can also be harvested fresh, but they are most often harvested dry at maturity. Among them, I particularly like the onion 'Stuggart', which produces large yellow bulbs that store well. As a proud Finistérien, I can only recommend the Johnnies onion; the variety 'Rosé de Roscoff' even has an AOC (Controlled Designation of Origin) in Haut-Léon. It is a marvel that, when raw, develops fruity aromas with a mild pungency and a juicy, crunchy texture. When cooked, its texture becomes tender and the sweet flavour dominates. Generally speaking, varietal choice is very important, with over 1000 varieties listed in the European catalogue. What is even more interesting is that there are many local varieties in France, adapted to different terroirs. That is why I encourage you to seek out and grow varieties from your region. Growing onions requires a sunny exposure and light soil, which should be quite draining and fertile but without fresh manure. Depending on the variety, onions can be sown in spring or autumn, or planted from bulbils, most often in spring. Maintenance during the growing season involves regular weeding and hoeing, as well as monitoring for a common pest, the onion fly. [caption id="attachment_45162" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]<img class="size-full wp-image-45162" src="https://www.promessedefleurs.com/blogwp/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/oignon-rouge.jpg" alt="Red onions" width="1200" height="826" /> Red onions</caption>

Harvest

Harvest time May to August

Type of vegetable Bulb vegetable

Vegetable colour red

Size of vegetable Medium

Interest Colour, Productive

Use Cooking

Plant habit

Height at maturity 30 cm

Spread at maturity 10 cm

Growth rate normal

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous

Foliage colour light green

Aromatic? Fragrant foliage when creased

Product reference • 43812

Planting and care

Onions thrive and grow in all types of soils, preferably light and well-drained. The soil should not have received any manure for at least a year. Choose a sunny spot. Onions fear excess humidity, which can cause the bulbs to rot. If your soil is very moist, add some sand to it. Planting on raised beds will help facilitate water drainage and slightly increase the soil temperature.

Bulblets are very young onions that are planted in spring, from February to April. In regions with mild winters, they can be planted in autumn, in October-November. Planting bulblets requires less weeding than sowing while ensuring a good harvest.

Loosen the soil. Space the rows 25 cm (10in) apart. Build up the soil along the entire row to form a mound 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6in) high. Flatten the top. Plant the onion bulblets every 15 cm (6in), pointed end up, pressing them in slightly. Cover with a little fine soil, with the tip just below the surface. Watering is not necessary.

Regularly hoe, especially in the beginning. Mulching is not necessary.

Onions dislike excess nitrogen, so avoid planting them after green manure or legumes from the Fabaceae family (beans, peas, fava beans). Rotate crops for about 5 years before growing onions again.

Cultivation

Best planting time February to April, October to November

Recommended planting time February to April, October to November

Care

Soil moisture Tolerant

Disease resistance Good

Intended location

Type of use Vegetable garden

Ease of cultivation Beginner

Soil light

Exposure Sun

Soil pH Any