Organic Red Karmen Onion plants - Allium cepa

The 'Red Karmen' onion is a productive variety that produces flat, globe-shaped red onions. This variety is well suited for winter storage. Plant the bulblets from February to April (or in autumn for mild climates) and harvest in July and August.

Onions are herbaceous plants that produce a single bulb topped with hollow, cylindrical stems. They belong to the Liliaceae family, along with garlic, shallots, and chives. Onions are primarily grown for their bulbs and sometimes for their stems, which can be consumed like chives.

There are three groups of onions, distinguished by the colour of their bulbs:

- White onions, which are early varieties and can be consumed fresh or pickled,

- Yellow onions, which are storage varieties and are often cooked (in soups, pissaladières, or as accompaniments to cheese and charcuterie),

- Red onions, which are typically consumed raw in salads.

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

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

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

Harvest: White onions should be harvested in spring when the foliage is still green. Coloured bulb onions (yellow and red) should be harvested in summer when the stems are completely dried and bent to the ground. Gently uproot them and let them dry for two to three days on the ground in direct sunlight. Remove any 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 braid them and hang the resulting 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 rotting, which could contaminate the entire harvest.

Gardening tip: Alternate rows of onions and carrots to keep carrot and onion flies away. Additionally, onions thrive when planted alongside beets, strawberries, and lettuces.