Lyla Lindsey
Onions are a versatile vegetable that can be grown in most parts of Australia. They are a cool-season crop and are typically planted in autumn through to winter, depending on the region. Onion seeds should be sown 6mm deep in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. The soil should be enriched with organic matter such as compost, manure, or fertiliser. Once the seedlings reach 10cm in height, they can be transplanted into the ground or pots, spaced about 10cm apart. Onions can be harvested when the leaves turn yellow and wilt, and they can be stored in a cool, dry place.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soil type | Loamy, well-drained, friable, and well-composted |
| Soil pH | 6.5 |
| Soil preparation | Dig a narrow furrow, add aged animal manure or compost, keep the area free of weeds until planting |
| Soil temperature | 20-25 degrees Celsius |
| Sunlight | Full sun, at least 6 hours per day |
| Planting time | Autumn to early winter (April to June), or early March |
| Planting method | Direct sowing or seedling trays |
| Seed depth | 6mm |
| Seed spacing | 5-10cm |
| Watering | Regular |
| Fertiliser | Dolomite lime, Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food, homemade liquid fertiliser |
| Harvest time | 60-230 days, when the leaves turn yellow and fall over |
| Storage | Dry, cool place, wire baskets, mesh bags, wire racks |
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What You'll Learn
Planting times and climate zones
In Australia, onions are best grown in full sun and well-drained soil. They need a long cool growing season to develop well, so in most parts of the country, autumn is the best time to start planting onion seeds or seedlings, especially in warmer areas. In southern parts of the country, you can plant onion seedlings in the ground in autumn through to winter, around April to June.
Onion seeds germinate best when soil temperatures are between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius and take 7 to 10 days to germinate. In some parts of Australia, you can start your onion seeds in early March.
Onions like a slightly sweet soil of around 6.5 pH, which is high in organic matter but not overly rich. A bed prepared with aged animal manure or compost is perfect.
Onion plants need at least 6 hours of full sun each day. Choose a spot that receives plenty of sun and is free of weeds.
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Soil preparation
Onions like a slightly sweeter soil with a pH of around 6.5, so add some dolomite lime to the soil to sweeten it and provide added calcium and magnesium. Avoid using too much organic fertiliser in the initial soil preparation as onions do not like being overfed and may not form bulbs. A light application of homemade liquid fertiliser can be used once a month during the growth phase to keep the onions healthy.
Onions also like friable soil so they can quickly lay down roots. Make sure the soil is well-prepared and loose when planting onion bulbs, with the pointed end facing upwards. Bury the bulbs about 2-3 cm deep, leaving the neck of the bulb just above the soil surface.
Keep the area free of weeds until planting and during the growth phase, as onions do not like competition. Space the seedlings about 5-10 cm apart to give them room to grow.
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Germination and bulb formation
Onion seeds germinate best when soil temperatures are between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius and take between 7 and 10 days to germinate. They can be direct sown or sown into seedling trays. In many parts of Australia, autumn is the best time to start planting onion seeds or seedlings, especially in warmer areas, as onions need a long cool growing season to develop well.
Onions form bulbs when the duration of daylight triggers the transition from vegetative growth to bulb formation. Day length, temperature, and variety influence this process. When the bulb-forming signal is received, the onion starts accumulating energy in its leaves. As the bulb matures, the outer leaves begin to turn yellow and wither, and the nutrients stored in the dying leaves are transferred to the developing bulb. The bulb continues to enlarge as the outer layers of leaves provide protection and support. The more nutrients accumulated, the larger the bulb grows.
To encourage bulb formation, avoid over-fertilising your onions, as this can cause lush foliage growth at the expense of bulb formation. A light application of homemade liquid fertiliser (worm wee or weed tea) once a month should be sufficient to keep your onions healthy. Onions also do not like competition, so keep your onion beds free from weeds.
To help your onions develop larger bulbs, when the tops start to dry out, bend (kink) the top of the plant (the stem) over and tie it up with one of its own leaves. This will help the onion bulb to dry out quicker and form a larger bulb.
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Transplanting and spacing
Transplanting:
- Choose the right time: In most parts of Australia, autumn is the best time to start planting onion seeds or seedlings, especially in warmer regions. This is because onions require a long, cool growing season to develop properly.
- Prepare the soil: Onions prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH of around 6.5. Enrich the soil with organic matter such as aged animal manure or compost. Dig a narrow furrow or a V-shaped trench, depending on your garden setup.
- Spacing: Space your onion seedlings about 10 cm apart when transplanting them. This spacing allows adequate room for growth and prevents overcrowding, which can hinder development.
- Watering: After transplanting, water the seedlings well with a liquid plant food or fertiliser to promote healthy growth.
- Sunlight: Ensure your onion patch receives ample sunlight. Aim for at least 6 hours of full sun each day.
Ongoing Care and Spacing:
- Thinning: As your onions grow, continue to thin them out to maintain the recommended spacing of 10 cm. Remove any weak or small seedlings to give the remaining onions room to grow.
- Feeding: Feed your onions every couple of weeks with a liquid plant food or fertiliser to encourage healthy growth. However, be careful not to over-fertilise, as this can prevent bulb formation.
- Pest control: Keep an eye out for pests such as snails and slugs. Regularly remove snails and slugs by hand or use a hose to wash away thrips.
- Harvesting: Onions typically take around 60-230 days to reach maturity, depending on the variety and growing conditions. Harvest when the leaves wilt, turn brown, and fall over. Cure harvested onions by placing them in a dry, cool place for 2-3 weeks before storing them.
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Harvesting and storage
Onions are ready to harvest in approximately 60-230 days. Green onions or spring onions can be harvested as early as 8-12 weeks. Mature bulb onions are ready for harvest in 90-150 days, depending on the variety and growing conditions. You'll know onions are ready to harvest when the leaves have wilted, turned yellow, and fallen over. You should be able to gently pull the onion out of the ground without much resistance.
To harvest onions for storage, wait until the leaves have fallen over and turned brown. Use a fork to gently lift the entire plant from the bed and shake off any excess soil. Cure onions for storage by placing whole plants on wire racks, leaving them in a dry, cool place for 2-3 weeks. Cut the dried leaves off a few centimetres above the bulb. Harvested onions can be stored in wire baskets and mesh bags in a cool, dry, and dark place. Onions can be stored for up to six months, and for even longer if frozen or pickled.
You don't have to wait for all the onion bulbs to be full-sized before harvesting. You can pick and use smaller bulbs and leave the rest to grow bigger. You can also harvest onions when they still have green tops, but most crops are stored when a flaky skin has formed.
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Frequently asked questions
Autumn is the best time to start planting onion seeds in most parts of Australia, especially in warmer areas. In southern parts of Australia, planting can take place in late autumn to early winter, around April to June.
Onion seeds should be planted about 6mm deep. If they are planted too deeply, they will not grow.
Onions grow best in well-drained, loamy soil that is high in organic matter and has a pH of around 6.5. The soil should be prepared with compost, manure, blood and bone, organic slow-release fertiliser, and mulch.
Onion seeds should be watered regularly and kept moist.
