Growing Onion

Allium cepa : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

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

(Best months for growing Onion in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • 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

10 Jun 19, (Australia - tropical climate)
Too much N. Water them. Pick them before they seed.
24 May 19, Yvonne Hermann (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I bought a large bag of salad(red) onions but due to unfortunate circumstances didn’t get use a lot of them. I now have approx 70 shooting onions. Can I plant these and will they produce new onions? How long from planting to harvesting & is now the right season in Queensland? Thanks in advance Yvonne
18 Apr 19, SHIREEN WALTERS (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can I plant spring onions and coriander now (middle April) ?
29 Apr 20, Allimuthu Perumal 0329443959 (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Yes you can but try a tomato box size for coriander
05 Mar 19, Carole (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
When is the best time to plant red onion seeds and what sort of fertilizer should I use do u use lime?
06 Mar 19, mike (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Best time to plant - read the top of the page. Fertiliser - one with not a high N content. Lime - read up about using lime.
13 Feb 19, robert samuel walker (New Zealand - temperate climate)
when is the best time to put in red onion in christchurch
14 Feb 19, mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
You have worked out your temperate - looking under onions - it is in the calendar months near the top of the page.
26 Nov 18, raymond (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
May I know, When to plant onions in an area of Bioresource Group no 1 (Moist Coast forest?) .My mom wants to plant it on a correct time. I ll be a great pleasure to know. Thanks. Raymond Novela
12 Nov 18, John (New Zealand - temperate climate)
My onions growing in Napier are sprouting seed heads. Some are large seeming perhaps fully grown or close but some aren�t. Should I nip the heads and leave them or pull them immediately?
Showing 151 - 160 of 368 comments

Good day, can I plant the Australian brown onion throughout the year in South Africa? I want to maintain the monthly supply for my customers.

- Fanie Zulu

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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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