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Growing Onion

(Allium cepa)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
	S		T	P	P	P	P

(Best months for planting Onion in Australia - temperate regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays. T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings. P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.

Easy to grow. Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 8°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
Space plants: 5 - 10 cm apart
Harvest in 25-34 weeks. Allow onions to dry before storing.
Compatible with: Lemon Balm, Borage, Carrots, Beets, Silverbeet, Lettuce, Amaranth
Avoid growing with: Peas, Beans

Red onion
Young brown onion

Onions come in a range of colours and shapes and sizes. Brown :- strong flavour and pungent. Usually good keepers for storage. White :- milder but still flavoursome. Keep fairly well. Red :- Mild, suitable to use raw in salads and sandwiches. The seedlings should be allowed to gain a bit of strength before planting out - usually 4 to 6 weeks will be enough. When they are big enough to handle, you can plant out. They start off looking like blades of grass.

They don't have to be in a greenhouse (though that would be ideal), any sheltered spot will do. The idea is to guard against rapid changes of temperature, especially at night.

Onions can be bought as young plants (sets) from garden shops/nurseries to plant straight into garden beds. Choose your variety according to your climate and the time of year as some onions will grow better in the cooler months .

Onion bulbs should sit on the surface of the soil. Do not cover. They will take six to eight months to mature. Onions are ready when the tops start to dry and fall over. Pull them and leave to dry for a few days. Store in a cool, dry airy place. Use a net bag or make a string by weaving the tops together.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Onion

Brown onions roasted whole with other vegetables are delicious.
Red onions add colour to salads or stir-fry.

Your comments and tips

01 Feb 12, greg (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate): Can u pls provide me informations on onion cultivation in my area
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13 Jan 12, Narelle (Australia - temperate climate): How do you get onion seeds to germinate? I've tried with a few different seed packets, but no luck. Is it the soil? I'd love some information for optimum conditions for growing onions from seed.
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03 Nov 11, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): can i plant brown onions now we are nearly at the end of spring
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26 Jul 11, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): How do I plant a onion that has already started to shoot
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31 Jul 11, Karen (Australia - temperate climate): with the green shoot just out of the ground - bulb covered with soil. Do not over water or you will have mush.
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01 Jun 11, arthur (Australia - temperate climate): I find the best way to store onions pull them, leave them exposed on top of the ground for two days or until the are brown then platt them like they do in spain. Hang if possible from roof of a shed or such like. ( arthur the mad gardner).
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08 Apr 11, allan (Australia - temperate climate): onion seedling have died from the tip down like thay have burnt off . planted two punnets 2/3 lost . Thought it was spraydrift howerver replanted & has started to die back again could it be sheep manure not rotted enough . Think sheep is high in potash would do it
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04 Feb 11, stuart (Australia - temperate climate): plant onions on the winter solstice
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01 Mar 11, Brianna (Australia - temperate climate): I like to plant my onion seedling out on the winter solstice, as they are less inclined to go to seed and more likely to create nice big onions. If they still try and flower I just cut the flower off and bend the whole top over and generally they still create nice bulbs. To do this I start the seeds off in a tray 4-6 weeks before the winter solstice.
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07 Nov 10, Gema gonzalez (Australia - sub-tropical climate): what do they need, phosforos, iron...potasium? please let me know
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See planting calendar for these countries and climate zones

Australia - arid, Australia - cool/mountain, Australia - sub-tropical, Australia - temperate, Australia - tropical, New Zealand - cool/mountain, New Zealand - sub-tropical, New Zealand - temperate, South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical, South Africa - Humid sub-tropical, South Africa - Semi-arid, South Africa - Summer rainfall, United Kingdom - cool/temperate, United Kingdom - warm/temperate, USA - Central West Coast, USA - Maritime Northwest, USA - Mid-Atlantic, USA - North East, USA - South East and Gulf States, USA - South West, USA - Upper Midwest

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

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