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

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15 Apr 17, Jo (Australia - temperate climate)
Do you mean white long-keeper, or white salad onions. Both types should be readily available on-line from companies like - New Gippsland Seeds, The Seed Collection, Diggers, Green Harvest and Eden seeds.
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11 Apr 17, nik (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I planted 50 red onion seedling last year and they all split into 3 or 4 more like shallots, so after 6 months I gave up and pulled them out What went wrong ? there is no red shallot variety is there?
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11 Apr 17, John (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Onions are like daffodils and other bulbs in that they will grow extra bulbs as a form of multiplication. This can be caused by planting at the wrong time of the year for the variety. Check this on the seed packet and plant accordingly. Sadly nurseries sometimes sell 'out of season 'plants that look good. Tomatoes are a classic example with many plants sold after a few sunny days in late Winter or Early Spring. Trust this helps.
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08 Apr 17, Sandra Millhouse (Australia - temperate climate)
Why are my brown onions growing up as spring onions?? I have even rung the company of the seeds and they sent me two new packets of seeds out. I planted some of them and they are still coming up as spring onions. Please help
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11 Apr 17, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Onions take 4, 5 ,6 months to form the onion bulb. You may be expecting them too soon. I plant early Barletta onions March\April and Australian Brown, or Creamgold June to Sept. They look like spring onions until they form the bulb.
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09 Apr 17, Giovanni (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
There are a number of reasons that could contribute to your problem with brown onions. 1. have you planted the right variety for the time of the year? Brown onion seed is normally sown in April or May. There a range of planting times for different types of onion. 2. Have you planted them too close? Onions will take some time before they 'bulb' out and may be still in the 'juvenile' stage. 3. Are they getting plenty of sun?. It is a difficult question to answer but as you have replanted seed it is not that. Trust this helps.
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18 Mar 17, irene (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
every i plant onion they dont come out what can i do plss help or tips.
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21 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Onions are generally fairly easy to germinate. They need to be planted about 3 times their diameter with soil. A good way to do this is to sprinkle the seed over a small area that has been broken up and is very fine then cover with some more fine soil. Keep the soil damp but not wet. When the seedlings emerge they will be very fine like a needle. keep them damp but not wet as they may get fungus problems. A spot that gets some sunshine and a bit of airflow is good. They will take about 4-6 weeks before they are ready to transplant into rows in the garden. They will take about 6 months to be ready to harvest and store (when the tops flop over and start to dry). I hope this helps. Don't hesitate to ask questions, we are here to help.
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25 Feb 17, Eric ryan (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I grow onion in Hervey bay qld the sweet variety preferably
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26 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Onions like a cooler climate but you could try Creamgold (Pukekohe) in late March or April for late spring/early summer harvest. As an alternative try shallots or potato onions. Onions don't like too much manure/fertiliser and need an open sunny spot with good airflow to avoid mildew problems. All the best.
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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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