Roots & bulbs
Onion
Bulbs whose success depends on the right variety.
Sowing & planting windows in Australia
Planting timing varies by broad Australian gardening zone. Local weather, unusual seasons and your garden’s microclimate can shift timing.
Cool
Sow · Mar-Sep
Core months: March, April, May, June, July, August, September
Temperate
Sow · Mar-Aug
Core months: March, April, May, June, July, August
Subtropical
Sow · Feb-Jun
Core months: February, March, April, May, June
Tropical
Sow · Apr-May
Core months: April, May
Arid
Sow · Mar-Jul
Core months: March, April, May, June, July
Possible / shoulder months: August
Getting started
Sow seed directly into a fine bed or raise seedlings for transplanting. Choose a locally suitable variety: day length affects bulb formation.
The right conditions
Use a sunny position and fertile, well-drained soil with a fine, weed-free surface. Plants need moisture while they are actively growing.
As it grows
Weed carefully around the shallow roots and water during dry spells. Allow the foliage to mature naturally; do not bend the tops over to force ripening.
Ready to harvest
Young plants can be used as green onions. For storage bulbs, wait until the foliage naturally falls and dries, then lift and dry the bulbs with good airflow before storing.
Related how-to guides
Cure and store onions and garlic
Check maturity before lifting: bulb onions naturally soften and fall at the neck; garlic is lifted as lower leaves yellow while some green leaves remain.
Plant onion seedlings or sets
Confirm the variety suits your location.
Plant guidance: Desk-reviewed against linked sources; not field-tested. Planting windows are a guide rather than a rule.