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
29 Sep 22, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
A plant going to seed is finishing it's life and producing seed to continue the cycle of life - new plants. A plant then puts most of it's energy into producing the seeds. Time to harvest now or real soon.
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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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Showing 11 - 20 of 80 comments
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Sometimes my bought onions in the kitchen start growing leaves. Can I plant these onions, and if so, will it spread and will other onions grow from it, and how should I plant them? Or can you only grow onions from seeds? Thank you.

- Rui

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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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