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

14 Apr 23, CJ (Canada - Zone 5b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
CAN I GROW IN CONTAINERS AS I LIVE IN AN APARTMENT
12 Apr 23, marco (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
hi i live on the gold coast Queensland . i have planted my onion 2 weeks ago in the cloudy times .ok .then we hit harsh sun times .i had to cover and they are ok growing well .if u just leave them in the sun they fry .....my second batch i lost maybe half my crop ...
05 Mar 23, Lori (Canada - zone 4a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
What onions grow best in zone 4a?
01 Mar 23, Susan (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Can I direct sow intermediate onion seeds in fall in a raised garden bed covered with leaves and over winter them. Zone 6b
29 Jan 23, Gladis (USA - Zone 10a climate)
What variety grows best in zone 10a (Southern California)?
07 Jan 24, Lisa (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Any Short Day onions. Google "Short Day Onions". I also live in Southern California and just received my onions sets from Dixondale Farms.
29 Jan 23, Ron Holt (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I would like to grow onions (sets) in my garden this Feb. 23 to be harvested as mature onions in about 6 months. I would prefer sweet onions. Can you suggest a a particular type ? Do I need to buy heated onions? Thanks, Ron
19 Jan 23, Sharon Burke (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I took a kitchen scrap from a yellow onion and now I have roots what kind of soil should I plant this in for indoor in January please and thank you
19 Nov 22, Graham Hoorzuk (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Advice on how to grow tomatoes and lettuce in Durban
04 Dec 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Google how to grow them and read the notes here.
Showing 31 - 40 of 368 comments

I must be very lucky! I ignored everything the onion pack said (like covering with seed raising mixture, etc) and planted the seeds right into the dirt. Rather than the seeds taking 21-28 days as the packet said, they came through in 10 and going really strong :) All the best :)

- Anonymous

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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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