Omari Gates
Red onions are a great addition to any dish, whether cooked or raw. They have a sweet flavour and are commonly used in salads and sandwiches. If you're based in Australia, the best time to start planting red onion seeds or seedlings is in the autumn, especially if you live in a warmer area. This is because onions need a long, cool growing season to develop well. You can grow onions from seeds or seedlings, but make sure the plants aren't overly developed, or they may flower early.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best time to plant seeds | Autumn or winter |
| Soil temperature | 8°C-30°C |
| Soil pH | 6.5 |
| Soil composition | High in organic matter, free-draining, well-worked, plenty of compost |
| Seed depth | 5-6mm |
| Seed spacing | 300mm apart |
| Harvest time | 6-8 months |
| Fertiliser | Low-nitrogen |
| Watering | Regularly, at soil level, so the onions don't dry out |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Container size | At least 500mm wide and 300mm deep |
| Pests | Thrips, aphids, lizards |
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What You'll Learn
Best time to plant red onion seeds in Australia
In Australia, the best time to plant red onion seeds is during autumn, especially in warmer areas. This is because onions require a long, cool growing season to develop properly. For example, in Queensland, one source recommends planting at the beginning of the dry season. In general, onion seeds should be sown when the soil temperature is between 8°C and 30°C.
If you are planting seedlings, it is recommended that you wait until the weather is consistently cold. Additionally, the seedlings should be allowed to gain some strength before planting, usually around 4 to 6 weeks.
Onions can be grown from seeds or seedlings, but it is important to ensure that the plants are not too developed, or they may flower early. When planting seeds, they should be covered lightly and only sown 6mm deep. Seeds should sprout within two weeks and will need to be thinned. Onions can be grown in pots, but it is recommended to grow multiple plants to make it worthwhile.
Onions will be ready to harvest in six to eight months. You will know they are ready when the leaves dry and fall over. After pulling them out, they should be left in the sun for a few days to dry.
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Preparing the soil
Red onions have a sweet flavour and are the best type of onion to eat raw, often used in salads. They are easy to grow in most areas of Australia, but you should choose a variety suited to your local climate. In warmer areas, autumn is the best time to start planting onion seeds or seedlings, as onions need a long cool growing season to develop well. In cooler climates, onions can be planted in early winter or even late winter or spring.
When preparing the soil, choose a sunny and breezy spot to reduce the incidence of diseases and produce the best plants. The soil should be free-draining and well-worked with plenty of compost. Onions like a sweeter soil of around 6.5 pH, that is high in organic matter, but not overly rich. A bed prepped with aged sheep or cow manure is perfect. Before planting, improve your soil by digging in a soil improver and plant fertiliser. Rake in a fistful of sulphate of potash per square metre for all soils, adding dolomite for non-alkaline soils.
You can grow onions from seeds or seedlings. If growing from seeds, sow them about 5-6mm deep in rows 300mm apart. If growing from seedlings, wait until they are about 10cm tall before transplanting them into the ground or a pot, spacing them 10cm apart. Onion bulbs should sit on the surface of the soil and not be covered.
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How to plant the seeds
In Australia, autumn is the best time to start planting onion seeds, especially in warmer areas, as onions require a lengthy cool growing season to develop properly. Before planting, check your climate zone to see which varieties are best suited for cultivation in your region. Red onions, for example, are suitable for raw consumption in salads and sandwiches.
To plant onion seeds, start by filling seed trays with a seed-raising mix. Then, make a shallow trough in the soil and sow the seeds about 5mm deep in rows 300mm apart. Onion seeds should be sown about 6mm deep, so don't be tempted to plant them too deeply, or they won't be able to grow. Cover the seeds lightly with more seed-raising mix and firm down the soil. Keep the soil just damp and in a sunny spot.
Once the seedlings have grown and are big enough to handle, you can transplant them into your garden bed or chosen pots. Space the seedlings 10cm apart and water them well with liquid plant food. Feed the seedlings every couple of weeks to encourage healthy growth.
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Caring for the onions
Onions grown for their bulbs take 6–8 months to mature. They need little care once they are growing, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, onions should be grown in a sunny and breezy spot to reduce the incidence of diseases and produce the best plants. The soil should be free-draining and well-worked with plenty of compost. It is also important to grow onions in different parts of the garden from year to year to reduce soil-borne pests and diseases.
Water the onions regularly so that the soil is damp but not wet. An occasional liquid fertiliser will help to form strong plants. Space the plants well to avoid overcrowding. Watch out for fungus diseases like moulds and mildews and spray with a fungicide if these occur. Keep mulch away from the base of the plant to avoid the bulb rotting. Onions are sometimes attacked by small insects such as thrips and aphids, which can be controlled with a garden insecticide.
To harvest, pull the onions out when the tops start to dry and fall over. Leave them in the sun to dry for a few days. If the weather is wet or humid, leave the bulbs in an airy, dry place, such as a shed. Once dried, rub off any roots, dirt and old leaves. Always store onions in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place. You can hang them in plaits, or use mesh bags or wire baskets.
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Harvesting and storing the onions
Red onions are usually ready to harvest in 25 to 34 weeks, or six to eight months, when the tops start to dry and fall over. You can harvest them as you go along, picking and using smaller bulbs and leaving the rest to grow bigger. When you are ready to harvest, gently pull the onion out of the ground. Cut the leaves off a few centimetres above the bulb and leave them in a warm, sunny spot to dry out. If the weather is wet or humid, lay the onions out in a dry place, such as a shed. Once the skins and roots are dry, rub off any remaining dirt and roots.
Red onions should be stored in a cool, dry, dark, and well-ventilated place. You can hang them up in plaits, or use wire baskets or
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Frequently asked questions
In temperate regions, the best time to plant onion seeds is when the soil temperature is between 8°C and 30°C. In Australia, this is usually during autumn or winter.
You can plant red onion seeds directly into the ground or in seed trays. If planting in the ground, dig a narrow furrow and sow seeds about 5-6mm deep. Cover lightly and keep moist. If planting in seed trays, fill trays with seed-raising mix, sow seeds, cover lightly, and keep moist.
Red onion plants require regular watering and should be spaced well to avoid overcrowding. Feed every couple of weeks with liquid plant food to encourage healthy growth. Keep the area weed-free and water at the roots to prevent infestations of small insects such as thrips.
