Red Creole Onion Seeds

Start Red Creole Onion seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last expected frost date. In mild-winter areas, direct sow in fall to get sprouts early in spring. Sow ¼ inch deep into a fine seed-starting mix. Onion plant seeds need close soil contact to sprout, so bury them deep. red onion seeds germinate in 7 to 10 days with soil temperature of 66–70°F. When transplanting outside, space plants 3 to 6 inches apart with 12 to 15 inches between rows.

Red Creole Onions need at least 6-8 hours of direct sun daily to form proper bulbs. Red onions prefer loose, well-draining soil. Heavy or waterlogged ground produces stunted bulbs and can cause some diseases. Work compost into the bed before planting to improve drainage and feed the root zone. Water moderately but consistently throughout the season. Uneven watering during development causes bulb splitting. These onions prefer cooler soil temperatures during early growth, that’s why fall or early spring planting are the best options.

Red Creole Onion is resistant to Pink Root Rot, a fungal disease that wipes out many other red onion seeds in warm, humid conditions. Thin seedlings, since crowded plants produce small bulbs. Side-dress with a low-nitrogen balanced fertilizer once plants establish, then stop nitrogen applications as bulbs begin to size up. Harvest when tops fall over and start to yellow. After pulling, cure bulbs in a dry, ventilated spot for two-three weeks. Properly cured, Red Creole stores for several months.