Growing Onion

Allium cepa : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

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

(Best months for growing Onion in South Africa - Summer rainfall 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 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

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?
17 Mar 16, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Texas Grano
08 Jun 15, hope william (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
looking for texas grano and hybrid onions 5522 seeds.
10 Nov 14, Donita (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi, when onion leaves start making a flowers, what does that mean? Thanks
08 Sep 14, Freckson Tineyi Ropi (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I want to buy king onion seed where can l buy it. Am in Limpopo Province
30 Mar 14, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi, Where can I buy onion sets / bulbs for home growing ?
13 Feb 14, Hlumelo Somniso (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
i am at Alice (eastern cape ) what is the right time to plant australian brown.
13 Sep 13, Heather Sterling (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Having grown (and watered) white onions through this past Winter, I now find that the onions are going to seed before the bulb has fully grown out. It would be appreciated if you could give advice as to where I went wrong.
23 Oct 16, Chester Bosch (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I have the same experience. Can somebody respond please.
20 Aug 13, Rui (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Sometimes my bought onions in the kitchen start growing leaves. Can I plant these onions, and if so, will it spread and will other onions grow from it, and how should I plant them? Or can you only grow onions from seeds? Thank you.
Showing 61 - 70 of 80 comments

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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