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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04 Jan 09, Jay (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have just pinched out the seed heads on a few that have formed. We are using them fresh from the ground right now, and are waiting for them to die back before lifting. First time onion grower, but am wrapped with the ease of growing and the harvest. All 150+ seedlings have produced 2 - 4" bulbs. Used seed trays for seed, them planted out at 5" spacing. No loses, and NO THINNING (I hate that bit!!!m lol re: carrots) Cheers!
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18 Dec 08, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)
Some of my creamgold and red onions are shooting to seed. Some have large healthy bulbs. Should I harvest them now?? Others have virtually no bulb. Can I cut the seed head off and let them continue to develop?
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15 Dec 08, mark (Australia - temperate climate)
please help,can someone please tell me the correct procedure for drying/storing onions.thankyou and merry xmas to all.
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03 Nov 08, Chris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Alex, you can pick onions at any size to use right away, so you could use yours now. To keep onions they should harvested after the tops have fallen down and dried out.
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03 Nov 08, Alex (Australia - temperate climate)
My onion looks like this: i36.tinypic.com/otnl3c.jpg It's about the size of a commercial onion - do I need to leave it to mature or ripen, or is it ready to pull out and eat? Thanks
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15 Sep 08, barney (Australia - tropical climate)
i grow onions in winton... they are yummy =] i put horse manure on them and it works goodies :)
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08 Sep 08, Ciara (Australia - temperate climate)
I just have a balcony so I'm using pots to grow a few things, I was wondering how deep a pot needs to be for onions.
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07 Sep 08, Jaci (Australia - temperate climate)
I am only just beginning to grow onion this year. I have heard that onion seed doesn't have a long life. Can you begin the seed's life by chitting? When harvested, how long does it need to be hung and dried for before it can be eaten. Also, how long will it keep for (if hung in the dark and kept dry)?
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08 Feb 08, Bryan (Unknown climate)
Onions can be successfully planted as seedlings.Grow in trays transplant at about 15cm.Before transplanting trim tops and roots by about one third, dig shallow depression, lay plants with roots only in depression and cover roots with soil. Important to select correct onions for time of year(see packet)
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04 Feb 08, Liz (Unknown climate)
Onions can be raised in seed trays or punnets and transplanted when about 10-15cm tall. They should be planted with just the roots covered. If sown direct, the emerging plants may need thinning. I have been successful with both methods for brown and red onions and with spring onions from seedlings.
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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

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