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
08 Sep 23, enie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
is there onion variety that you can grow around November in south africa
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14 Sep 23, Anonymous (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Check the planting guide - Dec onwards.
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20 Aug 23, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you please tell me the best varieties of onion to plant now. Live at Canowindra NSW Thanking you
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06 Sep 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Which ever variety you prefer.
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22 Jul 23, Joseph (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Is it okay to plant Texas grano onions in August and September. I am in mpumalanga, South Africa
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20 Jun 23, Sue (New Zealand - temperate climate)
My onions got a rusty fungus on the last year how do I guard against this happening again. I grew the multiplying onions found them in the garden centre as Welsh Onions. They were great until they developed the fungus.
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24 Jun 23, jim (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Copper copper copper I had same problem last year onions,garlic and leeks sometimes gardening is a pain but I still do it ??? Remember to use a sticker "sprayfix" by yates is one but most garden chemical people do similar it helps to break down the surface tension so the spray does not just run off do it before it appears and repeat it several times during the season only problem with it raining constantly it's hard to do right now. P.S. my mum used to grow welsh onions in the UK when I was a boy never saw enything like rust ?
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15 Apr 23, Mike (Canada - Zone 3a Temperate Short Summer climate)
Growing onions from seeds What kind should I grow? When? Can I start then before winter, or do I start the seeds in January indoors?
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26 Apr 23, Erin (Canada - Zone 5b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
You need a long day onion, you can start seed ahead of time indoors, do not save seed packets, they're only good for a year.
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19 Apr 23, (Canada - Zone 3a Temperate Short Summer climate)
Read the planting guide at the top of the page and plant the variety you want to eat.
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Showing 21 - 30 of 368 comments
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Im from Tropical rain season all year round area and Im planing to grow white onion. How can I succeed on growing bunch of white onion. Any good idea? Im from republic of Palau.

- Dalton Thomas

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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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