Growing Onion

Allium cepa : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

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

(Best months for growing Onion in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
27 Oct 22, Which onion variety do I need to plant in December (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I would like to plant onion during the rain season, please advise me on which variety to plant.December - April
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Sep 22, DAVE MILES (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Australian Brown are starting to have seed stems, should I cut them off or allowed to seed
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Sep 22, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
A plant going to seed is finishing it's life and producing seed to continue the cycle of life - new plants. A plant then puts most of it's energy into producing the seeds. Time to harvest now or real soon.
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Sep 22, Dalton Thomas (USA - Zone 2a climate)
Im from Tropical rain season all year round area and Im planing to grow white onion. How can I succeed on growing bunch of white onion. Any good idea? Im from republic of Palau.
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Sep 22, (Australia - tropical climate)
Try planting at the begining of your driest part of the year.
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Sep 22, digna carwell (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Hello I lived in 10A zone I would like to know when is the best time to grow , onions , garlic, carrots and mist vegetables? Thank you in advance for your response.
Reply or Post a new comment
03 Oct 22, (USA - Zone 4b climate)
Check the planting guide for each crop.
Reply or Post a new comment
07 Sep 22, Don Cropper (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am growing Australian Browns which I grew inside green house and planted out.They are making flower stems but the onions aren't ready to pull out yet.Can I leave the flowers to grow or must I cut them off.
Reply or Post a new comment
13 Sep 22, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Sounds like your soil wasn't fertile enough to produce an onion bulb. The plant is going to seed already.
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Aug 22, Adam Kulka (Australia - temperate climate)
Could you please advice why always my onion growing seeds heads, I try to grow from seeds or from last year young ones but no luck to have nice bulb in end of the growing season, I'm in Suthern Highlands NSW, thank you
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 51 - 60 of 378 comments
See comments for all plants

I took a look at the I'iotoi onion on google, the photo of them is the closest /the same to what I grow. I have always called them shallots and so did my mother. I/we have been growing them for nearly 60 years. Keep bulbs from one year to the next to replant. The only problem is I live in Australia, near Bundaberg Qld. A lot of people call different things shallots. If you are unable to obtain any in NZ you could ring your agric department and see if I could send some to you. Ring up some of the seed selling companies in NZ to see if they have them.

- Mike

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.