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Growing Onion

(Allium cepa)

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

(Best months for planting Onion in USA - Zone 5a regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays. 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 46°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 2 - 4 inches 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

Your comments and tips

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11 Aug 09, (Australia - temperate climate)
I have geown onions for sometime with very ittle success, why don't the bulbs swell?
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08 Sep 09, Ani (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi, Just wondering, is there any chance you can put an onion that has started shooting roots in water and have it grow? Thanks.
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02 Oct 09, Kate (Australia - temperate climate)
My onions have now got flower pods at the top but never really got round at the bottom like an onion should. Everything says wait till the stems fall over and dry out but I also saw that when they flower they are no good. Help I am confused as to what to do. Do I just pull them all out and plant something else?
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07 Oct 09, Annie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have the same issue as Kate. My onions are looking great, getting bulbs. I don't want to wait too late in case they start bolting. But I don't know when to harvest them. Or to bend the stems over or just pull them, which is what I've done before. They still have thick stems.
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25 Oct 09, mick (Australia - temperate climate)
hi i use to grow hunter river white onions and just cant find where i can buy seed anymore .I live in the wollindilly distric ?
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16 Jan 10, Fritz (Australia - temperate climate)
My Brown Onions seem to be ready to harvest.How do I store them? What is a cool Place ? Do i keep them in the Fridge or just in the Kitchen cubboard? In Paper Bags/
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17 Apr 10, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Fritz - a cool place for storing onions is in a bottom cupboard or similar. Anywhere that doesn't get hot. They tend to go mouldy in a fridge
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12 Jul 10, Sue Summers (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in the Bass Strait Islands north of Tassie, I want to know the best onions to plant for making pickled onions (brown variety). Also how do I know when to harvest them?
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10 Aug 10, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
hello I am a bit confused about the soil.CanI use blood and bone before planting the seedlingsas Iam getting conflicting reports what has worked for you to get the best results
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12 Aug 10, Mohan (Australia - temperate climate)
I was in India last month and came across white onions. It is said white onions have medicinal properties. Are the seeds available in Sydney.
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Post a question, comment or tip about Onion

I found a forgotten red onion in my cupboard few months ago and it already has aboiut 3inches of shoot. I planted it. Now I have a tall stem of about almost 3feet with a pretty pompom flower on it. Would i still have onion out of it? It now has little pids on the pompom. I broke one of its pods out of curiosity and it has little black round bits inside... is that the seed? Would i get onions if i plant those seeds?

- Ferolyn


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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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