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

30 Mar 14, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi, Where can I buy onion sets / bulbs for home growing ?
05 Apr 14, Dave (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My onions are growing ok but they are all lying down instead of standing up. Is there something I should be doing to make them stand up?
03 May 14, Robin schuboxey (Canada - Zone 2a Sub-Arctic climate)
I reccommend you grow your Australian onions in seed trays before you plant them in the garden. It works here in Canada at minus zero so it surely must work in your warm Australian soil
20 May 14, Maurice (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
There are a few perennial varieties of onion around so you do not need to mess around with saving seed and planting seedlings each year. They are hard to find but easy to grow, they seem to grow well even here in the tropics. I am very happy with mine, I got them from living-mudflower.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/perennial-annual-vegetables-for-sale.html
29 May 14, (Australia - temperate climate)
I have just bought 1 kg of onion seed and may not use all of it this year, will the seeds still be good to use in a year's time? Thanks
18 Jun 14, Jo Dumergue (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted out my white & red onion seedlings; my leeks & spring onions over 6 weeks ago. None have done well, and became infested with tiny black bugs. I sprayed with soapy spray and sprinkled ash from the fire over them - but I think I've lost them all. What could these bugs be - look a bit like aphids.......and very disappointing as the onions seem to take ages to grow.
01 Jul 14, Barb (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Jo, Sounds like black aphids. I plant a heap of flowers in the vegie garden to encourage predatory insects that eat aphids. But if you have so many aphids, it might be that the plants are unhealthy, which means the soil might not be good. I'd be inclined to add some good compost to the soil (well matured for onions) and also foliar feed the onions with a liquid seaweed such as seasol to help make the onion plants more resilient. Also good to interplant them between lettuce as this seems to help hide the onions from the bugs while they're young and vulnerable.
26 Jun 14, peter mallon (Australia - temperate climate)
looking to grow some pickling onions.should i use seed or are they availabli in seedlings
02 Jul 14, coralie (Australia - temperate climate)
Having trouble purchasing tree onions/Egyptian running onions. Can you help
18 Aug 14, Rob (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello can i purchase walking onion or egyptian onion in melbourne or sydney
Showing 81 - 90 of 360 comments

Hi Mel, if you select the climate zone for your area in Australia, then the planting guide will tell you which months you can plant onions in your area.

- Barb

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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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