Onion 'Rossa di Milano'

Allium cepa

• Sweet, full flavour with excellent cooking quality
• Large glowing red bulbs with classic high-top ‘grano’ shape
• Best red storage onion in our 2020–2021 trials
• Strong storage performance with tight skins and single centres

An exquisitely coloured red onion with a sweetness that rises above the natural pungency of storage onions, ‘Rossa di Milano’ is equally suited to fresh eating and cooked dishes. The very large bulbs develop a classic ‘grano’ or high-top shape with broad flattened shoulders — ideal for slicing.

In our 2020–2021 onion storage trials, ‘Rossa di Milano’ was the best-performing red storage onion, holding beautifully for up to six months into early spring while retaining excellent flavour and eating quality.

This intermediate to long-day onion performs best with 14–16 hours of daylight and can be successfully grown in southern latitudes as low as 38°.

Our ongoing selection work for ‘Rossa di Milano’ focuses on:

• Large, high-top globe shape
• Beautiful glowing red sheen with tight skins
• Sweet overtones balanced with classic onion pungency
• Long storage under normal farm conditions
• Tight inner rings with single centres
• Tight necks for improved curing and storage
• Blushed red interiors
• Performance under thrip pressure

A standout red onion for growers seeking beauty, flavour, slicing quality, and dependable storage performance.

Certified Demeter Biodynamic and Certified Organic

SEED COUNT: 200, 1000, 5000 approx.
Germination: Lot#14391 94% May 2026

PLEASE NOTE: We do not authorise the repackaging of our seed without written permission

Seed Raising, Growing and Harvest Information

DIRECT SOW - Plant seed 6-10mm deep, 3-5 seeds every 10cm in rows 40cm apart during July, August or early September in prepared, well-draining soil. Thin to 4-5cm apart or sow 3-4 seeds every 20 cm .

TRANSPLANT - Days to maturity are from direct seeding, subtract 1-2 weeks if transplanting. Start transplants 10-12 weeks before planting date. Sow thickly in flats or 3-4 seeds in 1.5” soil blocks or cells.  We have had good even bulb results transplanting 3onions per hole, every 20cm in rows 25cm apart (3 per 60cm bed top)

NOTES - Onions compete poorly with weeds. Cultivate regularly to control weed pressure.

HARVEST - For fresh eating, onions can be harvested whenever they reach desired size. Storage onions can be harvested when 80% of the tops dry up and flop over. Pull bulbs from ground and cure in an airy, shaded place for two weeks at 22-25°F and 80% relative humidity. 

STORAGE - Cool slowly, and store at steady temperatures. Rapid cooling followed by a sudden warm period might break dormancy and cause onions to sprout. Optimal storage is at near freezing temperatures at 65-70% relative humidity.