Best time to plant onion in Australia
Allium cepa
Also called bulb onion, common onion
Onions are grown for the bulb that forms at the base of a fan of blue-green, hollow leaves, swelling once day length reaches a certain point. Although often biennial or perennial by nature, the plant is normally harvested in its first season. Garlic, leek and chives are close relatives.
On a shared plot: suits a plot
Finishes in a season and stays within its space, so it suits most plots.
When to sow
| Zone | Months | How well checked |
|---|---|---|
| Cool | Feb to Sep | Matches local guides |
| Temperate | Feb to Aug | Broadly matches local guides, with some differences |
| Subtropical | Feb to Jun | Matches local guides |
| Tropical | Feb to May | Matches local guides |
| Arid | Mar to Jul | Broadly matches local guides, with some differences |
Your local conditions can shift any months shown here, so treat them as a guide.
Growing details
- How to start
- Sow directly or raise seedlings
- Sowing depth
- 5mm
- Plant spacing
- 15cm
- Row spacing
- 40cm
- Germination
- 7-10 days at 20-25°C
- Frost
- Hardy, takes a light frost
- Sun
- Full sun
- Life cycle
- biennial, usually grown as an annual
These are typical figures, and varieties differ. Your seed packet takes priority.