Growing Onion

Allium cepa : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

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

(Best months for growing Onion in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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

07 May 14, Travis Edwards (Australia - temperate climate)
If anything you will find that the decaying pea straw will be sucking nitrogen out of the soil while it is decaying once it has composted down well it will be nitrogen rich however. lime, and gypsum, would be a good additive as the decay process tends to be acid and onions prefer a slightly alkaline soil. (lime and gypsum will help neutralise the acidity.)
14 Nov 13, Norma (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted my red onions, in a patch where my beans were, they took twice as long to grow than my brown onions planted nearby in virgin soil, brown onions are almost the size of a Pomello, red onions are still coming on. Onions and pulses, beans and Peas) definitely are enemies
23 Oct 13, Anne (Australia - temperate climate)
what to do? my onions have developed flower stalks, it is mid-spring
27 Oct 13, Ferran (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Are the onions ready to harvest? Could you harvest them? preventative ways to stop them putting their energy in to flowering are: cutting off the flower stalks, shading them, keeping them moist. Good luck!
26 Jul 13, Kathi Thomas (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I planted out gladalan onions and they are near my snow peas that are flourishing. It says not to plant near peas so (at the risk of sounding silly) does this include snow peas. I am in the shoalhaven area, Nowra
05 Jul 13, ANTONIO (Australia - temperate climate)
what to fertilise onions , can i use npk super potash chicken manure
15 May 13, Dave Coats (Australia - arid climate)
Garden bed Chillies? I live in one of the harshest areas of South Aust. Temps vary from -5 to high 40's. As a child here I saw a couple of Europeans growing them well. Would love some help. Cheers Dave.
07 Mar 13, adam (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi. to answer your question, any onions would be fine in Brisbane this time of year. Reds are usually sweeter, so don't store as well. The good storing onions are the "creamgold" brown onions. Reds will only usually store for a couple of months. But you won't really get any to eat until september or october if you plant now. Onions are a long season crop.
05 Mar 13, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
what type onion would I be best to grow in brisbane for march would the reds be best for this time of the year
03 Sep 13, Maurice (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Some of the perennial onions would probably do well for you, they are far easier and seem to be hardier than the regular kinds. I bought tree onions, everlasting onions and potato onions from mudflower blogspot.
Showing 141 - 150 of 193 comments

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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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