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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05 Jan 22, don (USA - Zone 10b climate)
when you are on this page - just above the title
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02 Apr 21, Debbie h. (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Can you plant onions that already have a green stem coming from it? Like ones in fridge if not used fast enough .
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22 Jun 21, Jayne Matzkin (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I've done it. You take the outside layers off until you reach the layers the green stem is attached to and plug it in your garden. They become a bigger version of themselves. I see this a way of not wasting that onion and tossing it.
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07 Oct 22, Janelle (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Yes, I just did exactly that this summer. Instructions on previous reply are correct.
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08 Apr 21, Anon (USA - Zone 4b climate)
Put the question into google and it will explain how to do it.
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28 Feb 21, Barbara Esparza (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Are there any onion sets that I can plant in Texas zone 9b that are more heat resistant?
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02 Mar 21, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Plants generally have a temperature range that they grow in. That is why most crops are seasonal in a district. Try planting out of that range and you could fail.
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16 Feb 21, Judith c Greenleaf (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Can I plant onion sets in February or march? what sweet onion varieties do you suggest for No. Ca. marine zone 9B? Thank you.
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17 Feb 21, Anonymous (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Consult the planting guide calendar and the footnote at the bottom of the page. If it says plant April and you plant Feb, the seeds/sets probably won't germinate/survive . There are reasons why it says to wait until April but take local conditions into considerations.
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12 Aug 21, Carol Rose (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I found Dixondale Farms to be a great help. I ordered my onion slips form them. I had never ordered onion slips before so I was a little nervous about the process. I wasn't able to plant them when they arrived but I cared for them as per instructions and only lost a few before I could get them into my newly made raised beds. I planted sometime in early June I think and they are about 3 weeks or so form being ready. I live on the Central Coast of California and these onions look great. As a pretty new organic gardener I love to share my successes. Ck out Hollis and Nancy's homestead on YouTube. It is so helpful!!
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Showing 21 - 30 of 38 comments
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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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