Vegetables· Allium cepa
Onion Growing Guide
Essential culinary vegetable used worldwide. Available as bulb, green, or shallot types. Good storage crop with many variety options.
How Long Does Onion Take to Grow?
Onion is typically ready to harvest about 100 days after planting.
Growing Conditions
Soil Requirements
Soil Type & pH
Best soil types: loam, sandy loam, muck soils
pH range: 6 - 7 (optimal: 6.5)
Drainage: excellent
Nutrient Needs (N-P-K)
Planting Guide
Yield & Economics
Common Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
- Onion thrips
- Onion maggot
- Nematodes
Common Diseases
- Purple blotch
- Downy mildew
- Botrytis
- Pink root
Use AI crop disease detection to identify issues early and prevent crop losses.
Growing Tips
Choose correct day-length variety for your latitude
Keep weed-free as onions compete poorly
Stop watering when tops begin to fall
Cure onions for 2-3 weeks before storage
Apply nitrogen early, stop 4 weeks before harvest
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Onion take to grow?
Onion typically takes 100 days from planting to harvest. Seeds germinate in about 10 days. The best planting season is spring, fall.
What soil does Onion need?
Onion grows best in loam, sandy loam, muck soils soil with a pH of 6-7. Excellent drainage is required.
What temperature does Onion need?
Onion grows best at 13-24°C. Frost tolerance: light. Heat tolerance: moderate.
What is the expected yield for Onion?
Across 18 countries with grounded data, reported national yields for Onion range from 2,730 to 64,090 kg/hectare, with a median of 33,810. These are national statistics, not a best-case figure — an individual farm's yield depends on variety, climate, soil and management.
More Vegetables
Key Agronomy Terms
Core farming concepts, explained in plain language.
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