Growing Onion

Allium cepa : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P       P P P P P

(Best months for growing Onion in USA - Zone 10a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • 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 (can grow beside): Lemon Balm, Borage, Carrots, Beets, Silverbeet, Lettuce, Amaranth
  • Avoid growing close to: Peas, Beans

Your comments and tips

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29 Oct 18, Sue Spriggs (Australia - temperate climate)
My onions always go to seed. What am I doing wrong?
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27 Oct 10, sharon (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in the Adelaide hills and i have my onions in since May this year they are starting to get flowers on the top and some bulbs are under the ground as i hilled them a couple of time not knowing thay should be on top of the ground. should i take some dirt away as they have very thick stems and bend the tops over to stop them from going to seed or just pull them up.???
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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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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 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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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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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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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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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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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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try spraying regularly with copper, also good for rust.

- Tony

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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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