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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22 Jan 16, Heidi (Australia - temperate climate)
I have several onions that are sprouting. Can I plant them now? Our temperatures are very high in summer so they might not survive, but they won't keep until autumn.
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09 Oct 15, graham paul (Australia - temperate climate)
how do you grow pickling onions I have sown brown onions, regards graham
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02 Oct 15, Fred Spiegel (Australia - temperate climate)
What is the diference between a onion and a salad onion
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08 Jun 15, hope william (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
looking for texas grano and hybrid onions 5522 seeds.
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23 Apr 15, mark (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
what is the best type of onions to grow around coastial areas ie Brisbane Cleveland area
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09 Feb 15, Clifford Foy (USA - Zone 12b climate)
two questions. Which variety of onions and garlic are best for growth in Puerto Rico. were can I buy them and expect to get them to Puerto Rico. Many say they are not to be shipped to Puerto Rico(price for living in the colony). Thanks, C.Foy
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28 Nov 20, Sandra Garcia (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Try Baker Creek; I get all my seeds there, I also use Trade Winds Fruit, Baker Creek has videos and they tell you the temperature that the plant can grow in, but you need to research each seed type to see what weather it grows well in. Read the reviews for the plants to see what others say about it. You can definitely grow everything all year round! Good luck
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28 Dec 14, Jan Bruinsma (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have 2 onions that have sprouted can I plant them? What can I plant at this time of the year? I am just starting and do not know much. Any help would be appreciated.
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10 Nov 14, Donita (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi, when onion leaves start making a flowers, what does that mean? Thanks
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14 Oct 14, Ralph (Australia - temperate climate)
I put a whole red onion into my "garden" about 2mths ago. Now have 5 long stems with what look like flower buds and grass like foliage. Do I separate the stems and replant? Any advice greatly appreciated.
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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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