Growing Onion

Allium cepa : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

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

(Best months for growing Onion in Australia - 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 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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15 Sep 08, barney (Australia - tropical climate)
i grow onions in winton... they are yummy =] i put horse manure on them and it works goodies :)
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08 Sep 08, Ciara (Australia - temperate climate)
I just have a balcony so I'm using pots to grow a few things, I was wondering how deep a pot needs to be for onions.
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07 Sep 08, Jaci (Australia - temperate climate)
I am only just beginning to grow onion this year. I have heard that onion seed doesn't have a long life. Can you begin the seed's life by chitting? When harvested, how long does it need to be hung and dried for before it can be eaten. Also, how long will it keep for (if hung in the dark and kept dry)?
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Showing 191 - 193 of 193 comments
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Tree onion (Allium x proliferum) also known as Walking Onions, Egyptian Onions, Topset Onions are a perennial onion. They are part of the Alliaceae or onion family and is a hybrid of the common onion (Allium cepa) and the welsh onion (Allium fistulosum). Tree onions are the easiest of the onions to grow coping with 40-degree heat and frosts. Check out his video -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olOrA80C40s -- variety matters -- and DURATION in the soil -- my understanding is harvesting too early results in low yields -- so wait for the 3rd set of topsets before harvesting as per the video. These onions take longer to get going, but are very reliable and topsets, mean you can always propagate (which is a nice to have -- since future generations get stronger and better suited to your climate).

- Celeste Archer

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