Growing Onion

Allium cepa : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

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

(Best months for growing Onion in Australia - tropical regions)

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

26 Mar 22, Heidi (Australia - temperate climate)
I have some onion sets left over from last year and want to plant them. All the articles I have seen thus far talk about growing them from seed/seedlings. Ours is a temperate climate, so when is a good time to plant them?
19 Apr 22, Graham (Australia - temperate climate)
Sets . Another word for seedlings. If they are still fresh and viable they should be OK. In saying that, I am surprised that they are still OK from last year. (Gardenate : 'sets' are usually small onion bulbs with brown, papery skin)
29 Mar 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Check the top of the onion page.
21 Feb 22, Narelle (Australia - tropical climate)
Is Mackay too hot to grow onions? What's the best variety for up here? Thanks
22 Feb 22, (Australia - tropical climate)
Any variety.
22 Feb 22, Anonymous of Bundaberg (Australia - tropical climate)
Go to onion, set the climate zone to tropical and it will show you in the calendar guide. They take a long time to grow and are generally cheapish in shops.
30 Nov 21, marco (Australia - tropical climate)
hi i live on the gold coast qld .i have planted onion .rossa lunga di firenze .in late october ,early november .they are there and havent done much .we have had lots of rain here and the onions have thickened up quite a bit .i have thrown more seeds in a tray and i will plant them to see how they grow out .i might be too early yet i will let u know how it pans out !!
07 Dec 21, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You are sub-tropical. Click that in SET YOUR CLIMATE ZONE. Then go to onion. You basically plant onions in autumn early winter.
22 Dec 21, marco (Australia - temperate climate)
yes you are right my onions thickened up with all the rain .yet they stalled in growth again .new seed seeded yet they are thin as well .like u said wrong time of year to grow .i will keep them in the ground to see what happens .(my first year of growing onions)
23 Oct 21, Judy (Australia - temperate climate)
My onions are starting to go to seed. Why has this happened, and what can I do about it?
Showing 11 - 20 of 192 comments

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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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