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How to Grow Onions

They may make you cry, but onions are worth the tears! They can impart such a sweet or savoury flavour to your dishes, depending on how they're cooked or used. There are many varieties, too – brown, gold, red and white – each with their own unique taste. Before planting, check your climate zone to see which varieties are best for growing in your area.

Full sun (at least 6 hours)

Regular watering

Well drained

Suitable for all climatic zones.

24-28 weeks after planting

Some varieties are not recommended for far north Australia, check the label before planting. Most regions can be planted from autumn through to winter.

How to grow onions in a garden

Step 1

Choose a spot that receives plenty of sun. Prior to planting, improve your soil by digging in Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.

Step 2

Dig a narrow furrow, sow seeds and cover lightly with Yates Seed Raising Mix. Onion seeds only need to be sown 6mm deep, so don't be tempted to plant them too deeply otherwise they won't be able to grow. Firm down and keep moist.

Step 3

Once seedlings are 10-12cm tall, thin them out to 10cm spacings to give them room to grow. Don't waste the onions you thin out – they can be used like spring onions!

Step 4

Feed every couple of weeks with Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food to help cultivate good, healthy growth.

Step 5

Harvest when the leaves wilt and fall over. Gently pull the onion out of the ground, cut the leaves off a few centimetres above the bulb and then leave them in a warm sunny spot to dry out. Once the skins and roots are dry, they can be stored in wire baskets and mesh bags in a cool dry spot.

How to grow onions in a pot

Onions can be grown in pots, but you will need to grow few plants to make it worth your while. Consider growing them in small separate pots or one large container.

Step 1

Choose a pot at least 500mm wide and 300mm deep and position in full sun.

Step 2

Fill starter trays with Yates Seed Raising Mix, sow seeds and lightly cover. Onion seeds only need to be sown 6mm deep, so don't be tempted to plant them too deeply otherwise they won't be able to grow. Firm down and keep moist.

Step 3

Once seedlings reach 10cm tall, fill chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. Transplant seedling into pot, spacing 10cm apart and water in well with Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food.

Step 4

Feed every couple of weeks with Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food to help cultivate good, healthy growth.

Yates varieties

Onion Hunter River Brown

$3.30

Onion Hunter River White

$3.30

Onion Sweet Red

$3.30

Growing tips

You don't have to wait for all the onion bulbs to be full sized before you harvest them. You can pick and use smaller bulbs and leave the rest to grow bigger.
Onions may go to seed if they are not planted at the right time of the year, so make sure you check the label before planting so you don't spoil your crop!