Tropical
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August.
Grow to Eat
When to plant Spring onion in Australia
A practical climate-by-climate planting calendar plus detailed starting, care, problem and safety guidance.
StartSow directLightFull sunTiming8–12 weeksDifficultyEasy
AdvertisementPlant guide ad locationReserved for an AdSense display unit
Australian planting calendar
Best months by climate
Highlighted months are the usual planting window. A local nursery, seed packet and current weather forecast should take priority over a broad climate calendar.
Subtropical
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovWaitDecWait
Aim for January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Warm temperate
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
Cool temperate
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovWaitDecWait
Aim for January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Mediterranean
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecWait
Aim for February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November.
Semi-arid
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecWait
Aim for February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November.
Arid
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovWaitDecWait
Aim for February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Start well
Plant spring onion with confidence
Sow direct. As a starting rule, cover seed by roughly twice its diameter, then follow the packet where it gives a different depth.
- Sowing or planting depth
- Follow the packet; seed size and variety determine the correct depth.
- Germination or establishment
- Commonly 7–21 days, but the seed packet and current soil temperature are the best guide for the exact variety.
- Spacing
- 3–5 cm
- Soil
- Free-draining soil; Mediterranean herbs prefer leaner conditions; usually ph 6.0–7.5.
Feeding
Support steady growth
Feed lightly; rich fertiliser can reduce flavour in Mediterranean herbs.
Water
Keep moisture balanced
Water to establish, then match moisture to the herb’s natural climate.
Maintenance
What to do as it grows
Weed carefully because shallow roots dislike competition, and reduce watering as bulbs approach maturity.
Harvest or display
Know when it is ready
8–12 weeks. Readiness varies with variety and weather; use colour, firmness, size and the supplier's maturity notes rather than the calendar alone.
Problems and companions
Keep your patch healthy
Common watch-outs
Look for thrips, onion maggot and basal rot. Free drainage and rotation are more useful than heavy feeding late in the season.
Useful neighbours
Often grown beside carrots, beetroot, lettuce and brassicas. Keep away from peas and beans where close spacing would restrict their growth.
People and pets
Safety note
No Patch-specific toxicity warning is recorded. That does not prove the plant is safe—check the exact species with a veterinarian or poisons service if children or pets may eat it.
Moving plants
Biosecurity note
Check local weed, invasive-plant and interstate quarantine rules before sharing or moving unfamiliar plant material.
Transparent guidance
How to use this guide
Patch gives a broad Australian starting point, not a guarantee for every variety or garden. Read the Patch methodology and sources, check the latest Bureau of Meteorology climate information, and confirm interstate restrictions through Australian Interstate Quarantine.
Last reviewed 3 September 2026