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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29 Apr 16, Daniel (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm trying an idea of planning the base of spring onions I buy at the green grocers after eating the top portion. Has any else tried this?
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01 May 16, Jordan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yep, works a treat. Put the bottoms in water to let them grow roots and transplant.
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27 Apr 16, Noel Oliver (Australia - temperate climate)
What month to plant red onion seed and brown onion seed
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30 Apr 16, Paul (Australia - arid climate)
Onions can be grown all year round and with regularly planting seed every month you will have a continuous crop. Always let the most vigourous go to seed so you have a constant supply as onion seed does not remain viable for too many years, 3 tops if you want good germination rates.
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21 Apr 16, Karina (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi I've planted onion seeds directly into the garden bed and then mulched over the top. Should I have waited until the seedlings grew before mulching? I've heard that like carrots you are supposed to thin them out? What should I do? TIA
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30 Apr 16, Paul (Australia - arid climate)
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.
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11 Apr 16, theresa (Australia - temperate climate)
Which variety red, white, brown onions seedlings ,when to plant as I understand they are planted at different times to minimize bolting. Thanks
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19 Feb 16, Nico (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
What variety will be ideal for South Africa, semi arid I believe you are not able to plant Australian Brown south of a certain latitude?
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17 Mar 16, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Texas Grano
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06 Feb 16, barry rowcliffe (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
do mealybug in the ground effect onions,if so what remedy is there. thanks
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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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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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