Growing Onion

Allium cepa : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S                    
    P P                

(Best months for growing Onion in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • 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

15 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Pick them and then leave in the sun for a few days to brown off.
24 Oct 17, Danie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Why shouldn't onions be planted close to beans and peas?
17 Oct 17, Danie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Do I have to roll the leaves of the plants to enhance bulb forming at this time before they are harvested to prevent new growth?
04 Oct 17, Vincent Mulenga (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I'm in Zambia can I grow onion rainfall whan should I plant my ?
20 Oct 17, Danie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I would plant onions (seedlings) in March and harvest in October/November or plant seed in trays during February.
19 Sep 17, mayoche (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
can I grow onion in rain seasons
08 Jul 17, thulani (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi, i would like to plant onions in mpumalanga and my area were I live its cold mostly when its rains its pours. So can my onions grow very well in such environment?
03 Jul 17, Paris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I'm about to start growing onions from seeds and it says keep them under cover until early spring when they are ready to be planted out, I'm just wondering exactly what undercover means. Does it mean inside undercover or just out of direct sunlight outside. "Undercover" is very vague and I don't want to mess these up.
04 Jul 17, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
When we say 'undercover', we mean somewhere which will not have extremes of temperature and cool down at night. e.g on a covered deck : or in a cool greenhouse.
12 Jun 17, Margaret Shaw (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted about 100 spring onions about 2 wks. ago, all looking good, do they benefit from any fertiliser during the growing period. I dug in a small amount of compost before planting. Thanking you, Margaret.
Showing 191 - 200 of 371 comments

two questions. Which variety of onions and garlic are best for growth in Puerto Rico. were can I buy them and expect to get them to Puerto Rico. Many say they are not to be shipped to Puerto Rico(price for living in the colony). Thanks, C.Foy

- Clifford Foy

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 Gardenate 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 Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | 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. Gardenate 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.