Allium cepa
Onions are biennial but are grown and harvested as annuals. They are generally planted in autumn and winter for spring harvests.
Planting: Sow seeds directly or transfer established seedlings into a full sunspot. Prepare soil with Rocky Point ActivGrow Soil Improver or Rocky Point Cow Manure. Ensure that the soil is free-draining.
Grow: Note that excessive nitrogen will cause your onion plants to grow excessive green tops at the expense of your onions forming bulbs. Timing is also critical; planting at the wrong time of year will also prevent bulbs from forming.
Cultural Tips: Most large bulbous varieties are long-day plants suited to cool-season growing. As the days lengthen in spring and summer, the bulbs that we eat begin to form.
Harvest: Onions are traditionally harvested once the tops start to die off. Gently bend this foliage as it yellows as this forces the onions to dry off faster.
Varieties: Lockyer White, Early Barletta, Gladallan, Californian Red.
Key Growing Info
- Position: Full sun
- Watering: moderate
- Harvest Time: 30 weeks
- Seed Depth: 1cm
- Seed Spacing: 5-10 cm
