Growing Onion

Allium cepa : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

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

(Best months for growing Onion in South Africa - Summer rainfall regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for South Africa | for all countries
07 Sep 22, Don Cropper (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am growing Australian Browns which I grew inside green house and planted out.They are making flower stems but the onions aren't ready to pull out yet.Can I leave the flowers to grow or must I cut them off.
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13 Sep 22, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Sounds like your soil wasn't fertile enough to produce an onion bulb. The plant is going to seed already.
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07 May 21, Pablo checkman (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
How many month it takes Africans best onion
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10 May 21, (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Read the notes here, www.gardenate.com/plant/Onion?zone=22
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16 Mar 21, David (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I just transplanted some onion seedlings into a garden bed and it is March. Will they develop normally despite being planted early?
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17 Mar 21, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
You should be ok. Good idea to check planting times before buying/planting seeds or seedlings. You also have to consider your local conditions.
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18 Dec 20, Sydney Thama (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
hello it is safe to plant onion around July and August?
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21 Dec 20, Anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Go the onion page and check when to plant onions in your climate zone, or google and research about growing onions.
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13 Oct 20, Kelly (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi there, I planted white onions in May, they have not yet yellowed and the stalks have not fallen over- we're having a lot of rain fall early on and I am afraid they will rot if I leave them in the ground while it rains so much. Can I harvest them before they have yellowed or will they still mature correctly despite the rain? Any tips or advice would be much appreciated Thanks
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16 Oct 20, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
It says plant seed Feb Mar and you planted May, that is the problem. Check to see how big they are, if a good size pull out. You be the judge, keep an eye on them, if they look like going rotten out they come.
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Showing 11 - 20 of 79 comments
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Since you are having problems with your Texas Grano -- I would recommend going to an Egyptian walking onion (or other walking onion). Video abojut the onion can be found here: https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=walking+onions&mid=17F7CAB6E4A914745E4A17F7CAB6E4A914745E4A&FORM=VIRE Additionally: the walking onion originated from a cross between the Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum), and the common onion (Allium cepa). The Egyptian walking onion, Allium x proliferum, is a member of the allium family and a great addition to the perennial vegetable garden. Egyptian onions go by many names, including tree onions, topset (or topsetting) onions, and walking onions. The seeds are slow growing, and can take several years for them to grow and flower. That’s why people grow them mostly from established bulbs. Every part of the Egyptian walking onion is edible, including the bulb in the ground, the stems, the flower, and the aerial bulbils. There are different varieties -- some zones 3-9 others 3-10. I would select a 3-10 for your area -- additionally some types grow substantial bulbs under ground -- others have small underground bulbs -- so select your variety based on your need. There are white, brown and purple walking onions. There is also the RED CATAWISSA WALKING onion -- which is not classified as an Egyptian walker -- but is still a walking onion: this variety for its larger sized bulbs and topsets that are much larger than the typical walking onion. All parts of the plant are edible. Walking onions are a standard choice for permaculture gardens and food forests -- they are very low maintenance - and very reliable -- so a good choice for anyone having difficulty growing regular onions.

- Celeste Archer

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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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