Growing Onion

Allium cepa : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

Feb	Mar	Apr
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

Onions come in a range of colours and shapes and sizes. Brown - strong flavour and pungent. Usually good keepers for storage. White - milder but still flavoursome. Keep fairly well. Red - Mild, suitable to use raw in salads and sandwiches. The seedlings should be allowed to gain a bit of strength before planting out - usually 4 to 6 weeks will be enough. When they are big enough to handle, you can plant out. They start off looking like blades of grass.

They don't have to be in a greenhouse (though that would be ideal), any sheltered spot will do. The idea is to guard against rapid changes of temperature, especially at night.

Onions can be bought as young plants (sets or seedlings) from garden shops/nurseries to plant straight into garden beds. Choose your variety according to your climate and the time of year as some onions will grow better in the cooler months .

Onion bulbs should sit on the surface of the soil. Do not cover. They will take six to eight months to mature. Onions are ready when the tops start to dry and fall over. Pull them and leave to dry for a few days. Store in a cool, dry airy place. Use a net bag or make a string by weaving the tops together.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Onion

Brown onions roasted whole with other vegetables are delicious.
Red onions add colour to salads or stir-fry.

Your comments and tips

05 Nov 24, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): Can I start sowing onion seeds in November. If so which type of onion is suitable
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08 Nov 24, Celeste Archer (Australia - temperate climate): One last thought .... I never seem to get everything into my first response ==> Egyptian walking onion --onions and other alliums need more phosphorus and potassium than most other vegetables. They also need more copper, manganese, zinc, and molybdenum- however most of these are adequately represent in compost. BUT, if you have any issues, and it is unlikely that you will with walking onions --- but if you do, first thing I would do is ensure all of these elements are present (in Canada our "old" pennies have a lot of copper, we just add this obsolete currency to the garden). Molybdenum is found in wood ash (just the stuff from the fireplace, firepit or wood burning stove -- provided you have burned "clean wood" )-- probably lots in leaf compost, and banana peel compost)-- of course potassium in potash etc.
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08 Nov 24, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 7b Mild Temperate climate): 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).
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12 Jun 24, Portia (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): Can I plant onions in south Africa September month. I'm mpumalanga lowveld nelspruit.
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29 Nov 23, Themba Peter (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): I have onions that need transplanting is it the right time, will appreciate the advice.
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30 Nov 23, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): You could try but it does say Feb - April.
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08 Sep 23, enie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): is there onion variety that you can grow around November in south africa
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14 Sep 23, Anonymous (South Africa - Semi-arid climate): Check the planting guide - Dec onwards.
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22 Jul 23, Joseph (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): Is it okay to plant Texas grano onions in August and September. I am in mpumalanga, South Africa
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19 Nov 22, Graham Hoorzuk (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): Advice on how to grow tomatoes and lettuce in Durban
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Growing Onion

Allium cepa : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Onion

Your comments and tips

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Onion

Gardenate

Keep your garden growing - see what to plant right now

Growing Onion

Allium cepa : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Onion

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Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Onion

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