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

17 Jul 20, Elaine (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I am looking for everlasting onions. Think they are called Allium Cepa Perutile. They are what I would call a a shallot and grow from a shallot.bulb only and get lots around it a bit like garlic and have leaves like spring onions and don't flower or seed. If you Google Iitoi onions in USA they look like that. I moved from Australia years ago and they had grown in my family for generations. I would love to have them again. Does anyone know where I can get a few bulbs in NZ?
30 Jul 20, Sarah (New Zealand - temperate climate)
They may be what we call a multiplying, walking onion. I sometimes have some though not at this time of year.
20 Jul 20, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I found a company Garlico in NZ, they grow and sell shallots, 3 different kinds, but not like what you and I are talking about. Mike
20 Jul 20, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I took a look at the I'iotoi onion on google, the photo of them is the closest /the same to what I grow. I have always called them shallots and so did my mother. I/we have been growing them for nearly 60 years. Keep bulbs from one year to the next to replant. The only problem is I live in Australia, near Bundaberg Qld. A lot of people call different things shallots. If you are unable to obtain any in NZ you could ring your agric department and see if I could send some to you. Ring up some of the seed selling companies in NZ to see if they have them.
16 Aug 20, Elaine (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Mike thanks for your reply. The shallots you are talking about like the Iitoi in America you ave grown in Bundaberg for 60 years are exactly the same ones my Mum grew. I came from Brisbane Qld where she grew them for probably about the same length of time too. They are unique as they don't seed. I'm not sure Customs would let them into NZ as I know they are strict on fruit. I would love to get some but not sure how.
08 Apr 20, Harpreet Kaur (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
If you sow seeds of red onion indoor in April and wait till it can be transplanted outside..say in June.. Can it stay in the ground in cold winters harmlessly..n mature in summers to come around Christmas? Or will it die in cold weather buried in soil ?
09 Apr 20, anonymous (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Go to cool/mountain NZ look up onion and look at the monthly calendar at the top of the page - read what S P &T mean and then apply that to your question.
05 Mar 19, Carole (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
When is the best time to plant red onion seeds and what sort of fertilizer should I use do u use lime?
06 Mar 19, mike (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Best time to plant - read the top of the page. Fertiliser - one with not a high N content. Lime - read up about using lime.
13 Feb 19, robert samuel walker (New Zealand - temperate climate)
when is the best time to put in red onion in christchurch
Showing 11 - 20 of 35 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Onion

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.