Growing Onion

Allium cepa : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

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

(Best months for growing Onion in Australia - temperate 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

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
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.
Showing 31 - 40 of 365 comments

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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