Growing Onion

Allium cepa : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

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

(Best months for growing Onion in Australia - sub-tropical 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 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 (can grow beside): Lemon Balm, Borage, Carrots, Beets, Silverbeet, Lettuce, Amaranth
  • Avoid growing close to: Peas, Beans

Your comments and tips

05 Mar 23, Lori (Canada - zone 4a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
What onions grow best in zone 4a?
01 Mar 23, Susan (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Can I direct sow intermediate onion seeds in fall in a raised garden bed covered with leaves and over winter them. Zone 6b
29 Jan 23, Gladis (USA - Zone 10a climate)
What variety grows best in zone 10a (Southern California)?
07 Jan 24, Lisa (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Any Short Day onions. Google "Short Day Onions". I also live in Southern California and just received my onions sets from Dixondale Farms.
29 Jan 23, Ron Holt (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I would like to grow onions (sets) in my garden this Feb. 23 to be harvested as mature onions in about 6 months. I would prefer sweet onions. Can you suggest a a particular type ? Do I need to buy heated onions? Thanks, Ron
19 Jan 23, Sharon Burke (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I took a kitchen scrap from a yellow onion and now I have roots what kind of soil should I plant this in for indoor in January please and thank you
19 Nov 22, Graham Hoorzuk (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Advice on how to grow tomatoes and lettuce in Durban
04 Dec 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Google how to grow them and read the notes here.
27 Oct 22, Which onion variety do I need to plant in December (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I would like to plant onion during the rain season, please advise me on which variety to plant.December - April
27 Sep 22, DAVE MILES (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Australian Brown are starting to have seed stems, should I cut them off or allowed to seed
Showing 31 - 40 of 366 comments

Mulching over seed will not allow them to germinate and then push through to the sun. Onion, lettuce and carrot all grow well together (The Three Sisters) and need to "see the sun" to germinate well. I plant the three mixed together thrown over the bed and then water in stirring the top 5mm of soil in the process and then keep moist with a misting rosehead. They will then come up thicker than hairs on a cats back and effectively do not need mulch until you have thinned out the baby carrots to allow bigger ones to grow. Lettuce you can pick and let come again while the onions slowly get bigger. Trim dead and yellowing onion leaves to encourage more growth.

- Paul

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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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