Growing Onion

Allium cepa : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

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

(Best months for growing Onion in New Zealand - temperate regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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 8°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 5 - 10 cm 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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01 Mar 13, darrell (Australia - temperate climate)
where could i buy onion sets in australia?
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08 Feb 13, Jase (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Onions are immortal and can be re-planted after harvest. When cutting for food, chop <1.5 cm from the roots for re-planting. Water well and the onion will bulb into a few new plants. Separate the bulbs and you will have a new batch of onions.
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20 Apr 12, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I must be very lucky! I ignored everything the onion pack said (like covering with seed raising mixture, etc) and planted the seeds right into the dirt. Rather than the seeds taking 21-28 days as the packet said, they came through in 10 and going really strong :) All the best :)
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01 Feb 12, greg (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Can u pls provide me informations on onion cultivation in my area
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13 Jan 12, Narelle (Australia - temperate climate)
How do you get onion seeds to germinate? I've tried with a few different seed packets, but no luck. Is it the soil? I'd love some information for optimum conditions for growing onions from seed.
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05 Feb 12, Jimmy (Australia - temperate climate)
I raised seeds in seed propogating mix in small containers first. That way I can control watering and temperature better until they are strong enough to transplant. Have had almost 100% seed germination rate so far! Hope that helps.
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03 Nov 11, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
can i plant brown onions now we are nearly at the end of spring
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26 Jul 11, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How do I plant a onion that has already started to shoot
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31 Jul 11, Karen (Australia - temperate climate)
with the green shoot just out of the ground - bulb covered with soil. Do not over water or you will have mush.
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01 Jun 11, arthur (Australia - temperate climate)
I find the best way to store onions pull them, leave them exposed on top of the ground for two days or until the are brown then platt them like they do in spain. Hang if possible from roof of a shed or such like. ( arthur the mad gardner).
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(FROM THE NET) Manganese and zinc deficiencies are the most common ONION problem that causes tops to prematurely bend over OR become disfigured....Tops falling over prior to the bulb reaching maturity can result in decreased yields Young plants are particularly sensitive to Zn deficiency..... Problems are more common on high pH or calcareous soils or during cold, wet weather.... I suggested adding poultry manure (chicken manure) -- poultry manure tends to be high in Zinc, in a well balanced way. .Zinc also exits naturally in rocks. The amount of zinc present in the soil depends on the parent materials of that soil. Sandy and highly leached acid soils generally have low plant available zinc. Cool soil temperatures in early spring can intensify the need for zinc. Root growth is also stunted by cool temperatures and reduces the plant’s ability to find new sources of zinc in the soil profile. Also note: -onions and other alliums need more phosphorus and potassium than most other vegetables. They also need more copper, manganese, zinc, and molybdenum. Also please be aware that : There is a known relationship between phosphorus and zinc in the soil. Excessive application of phosphate fertilizers can caused zinc deficiencies. A phosphorus-induced zinc deficiency is a concern and may occur only if very high rates of phosphate fertilizer (more than 200 lb P2O5/acre) are used and the soil has zinc levels is in the range between Low and Very Low.

- Celeste Archer

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