Growing Onion

Allium cepa : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

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

(Best months for growing Onion in New Zealand - cool/mountain 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for New Zealand | for all countries
04 Oct 17, Vincent Mulenga (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I'm in Zambia can I grow onion rainfall whan should I plant my ?
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20 Oct 17, Danie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I would plant onions (seedlings) in March and harvest in October/November or plant seed in trays during February.
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19 Sep 17, mayoche (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
can I grow onion in rain seasons
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08 Jul 17, thulani (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi, i would like to plant onions in mpumalanga and my area were I live its cold mostly when its rains its pours. So can my onions grow very well in such environment?
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03 Jul 17, Paris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I'm about to start growing onions from seeds and it says keep them under cover until early spring when they are ready to be planted out, I'm just wondering exactly what undercover means. Does it mean inside undercover or just out of direct sunlight outside. "Undercover" is very vague and I don't want to mess these up.
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04 Jul 17, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
When we say 'undercover', we mean somewhere which will not have extremes of temperature and cool down at night. e.g on a covered deck : or in a cool greenhouse.
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12 Jun 17, Margaret Shaw (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted about 100 spring onions about 2 wks. ago, all looking good, do they benefit from any fertiliser during the growing period. I dug in a small amount of compost before planting. Thanking you, Margaret.
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15 Jun 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Onions like a good soil but do not like too much manure/fertiliser as it will cause soft growth which will be susceptible to fungal problems.
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02 Jun 17, (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello, what does it mean when the onion doesn't form a proper onion bulb but the stem becomes thick. This happened to me last year after having a good crop the year before. Cheers
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13 Sep 17, Karin (Australia - temperate climate)
I am having the same problem and I notice no-one has replied to the first person's question. The plant tops are thick and healthy, but there seems to be no onion bulb forming in the soil. Why is this and what can I do about it?
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Showing 191 - 200 of 368 comments
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I sow the onions in late January to early March, I prepare a patch in the vegetable garden for this. The stand where the onions will be transplanted to can be prepared in the mean time, If your soil is very heavy, sand can be worked in, as well as gracious amounts of organic fertilizer and ash (from your wood braai) This method give you time to ensure your bed is light and rich when your onions is ready to be transplanted around April. I use a clear plastic covering during coldest of winter months, just to keep the frost off. Hope this help.

- Conradt

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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. GardenGrow 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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