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

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20 Aug 13, Rui (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Sometimes my bought onions in the kitchen start growing leaves. Can I plant these onions, and if so, will it spread and will other onions grow from it, and how should I plant them? Or can you only grow onions from seeds? Thank you.
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14 Feb 14, Lynette (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
in my experience onions, once they start to show leaves in your vegetable rack will not grow in the garden. There are two things you can do - use them immediately in cooking, or put the sprouted bulb over a bottle of water and proceed as you would with an avocado pip: do not let the bulb touch the water. The green leaves can be used in salads in the same way as you would spring onions.
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19 Aug 13, Aldo (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi all, I dont have a lot garden space and was wondering if it is possible to plant them in containers? Regards
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20 Aug 13, JIM (Australia - temperate climate)
hi I grow spring onions in a foam box & have never had them grow better don't pull them out just cut off the leavses they will replentish themselves for years & no trouble with snails or grubs,
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01 Aug 13, Marietjie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can I sow onions, texas grano, now? Living in Potchefstroom.
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26 Jul 13, Kathi Thomas (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I planted out gladalan onions and they are near my snow peas that are flourishing. It says not to plant near peas so (at the risk of sounding silly) does this include snow peas. I am in the shoalhaven area, Nowra
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05 Jul 13, ANTONIO (Australia - temperate climate)
what to fertilise onions , can i use npk super potash chicken manure
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23 Jun 13, Ann Bye (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I have onions that are starting to sprout. Can I plant them now or is it too early. Live in Gauteng so still a lot of frost.
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15 May 13, Dave Coats (Australia - arid climate)
Garden bed Chillies? I live in one of the harshest areas of South Aust. Temps vary from -5 to high 40's. As a child here I saw a couple of Europeans growing them well. Would love some help. Cheers Dave.
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07 Mar 13, adam (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi. to answer your question, any onions would be fine in Brisbane this time of year. Reds are usually sweeter, so don't store as well. The good storing onions are the "creamgold" brown onions. Reds will only usually store for a couple of months. But you won't really get any to eat until september or october if you plant now. Onions are a long season crop.
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Showing 311 - 320 of 379 comments
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Tree onion (Allium x proliferum) also known as Walking Onions, Egyptian Onions, Topset Onions are a perennial onion. They are part of the Alliaceae or onion family and is a hybrid of the common onion (Allium cepa) and the welsh onion (Allium fistulosum). Tree onions are the easiest of the onions to grow coping with 40-degree heat and frosts. Check out his video -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olOrA80C40s -- variety matters -- and DURATION in the soil -- my understanding is harvesting too early results in low yields -- so wait for the 3rd set of topsets before harvesting as per the video. These onions take longer to get going, but are very reliable and topsets, mean you can always propagate (which is a nice to have -- since future generations get stronger and better suited to your climate).

- Celeste Archer

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