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

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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