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
01 Apr 20, Kaz (USA - Zone 11b climate)
Aloha What onions & tomatoes grow well in zone 11 Hawaii Ohau north shore
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25 Nov 19, William Rowe (USA - Zone 9b climate)
What variety of onion do you suggest for my region. 9b Ocala,Fl
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26 Oct 19, Allan Kevin Marshall (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I sowed my Hunter River Brown seeds on the 1st of April in rows East & West I thinned them out & the thinnings I planted in a bed facing North & South .The thinnings are bolting to seed,& the ones planted in the East West are doing well. I live in Geelong Victoria,What could be the fault here with the planting North & South
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08 Dec 19, Susan in Canberra (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Allan, is it possible that the thinnings were stressed by being pulled out & replanted and this caused them to bolt ahead of the original plantings?
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28 Oct 19, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My home garden is NS and a men's shed gardens I had were NS. I'm now in a new garden set up that is EW. I have wondered about the difference. My thoughts are with the plantings NS, ALL plants have sun on them all the day whatever hours that is. The sun from the E in the morning and W in the afternoon. With the EW some plants might be shaded by other plants during the day. Different beds could be different soil fertility, hrs of sunlight, watering etc. Generally when soil nutrient and/or water are not sufficient the plant will flower and set seed to be able to reproduce in the future.
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14 Sep 19, petre (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, Can I buy Onion sets in Australia ?. I live in Canungra Queensland. Thanks, Peter.
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20 Jul 20, Peter Turner (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Don't buy sets to plant onions. Onions are a biennial crop meaning they flower and set seed in the second year. Onion sets are cold hardened to mimic over-wintering they will think they are in the second year and will go to flower and set seed. This comes at the expense of the bulb getting large.
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16 Sep 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What do you mean by sets?. I don't grow onions but I would think most people grow from seeds or seedlings.
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27 Aug 19, Jessica (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, can I still plant onion in September in Melbourne? thank you
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27 Aug 19, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Check here www.gardenate.com/plant/Onion?zone=2
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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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