Onions

Allium cepa

Purplette is an attractive early-maturing mini Onion producing small, rounded bulbs with glossy purple-red skin and crisp, mild flesh. Compact and quick to develop, it can be harvested at several stages depending on how you want to use it.

Pull the plants young and slender for use much like spring onions or shallots, or allow the bulbs to develop to approximately golf-ball size. The small bulbs have a mild, pleasantly sweet flavour and are excellent eaten fresh in salads, roasted whole or used in relishes and preserves. When cooked or pickled, the rich purple colouring softens to an attractive pink.

Its combination of small size and rapid maturity makes Purplette particularly useful for smaller gardens and successive sowings. The miniature bulbs are also an excellent size for pickling whole.

Purplette performs best in Australia’s cooler growing regions, where mild conditions encourage steady growth and good bulb development. Like other onions, it prefers full sun, fertile, well-drained soil and consistent moisture without waterlogging.

Onions have been cultivated since ancient times, with their origins generally traced to Central and Southwest Asia. Their versatility eventually led to an enormous diversity of forms, from large storage onions to small speciality varieties such as Purplette.

Seed count: approximately 240–400 seeds/g
Approximately 100 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: Generally not ideally suited
Subtropics: Autumn to winter in cooler districts
Mild climates: Autumn to spring
Cold climates: Spring to autumn, according to local conditions

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep into prepared soil, seedbeds or trays. Keep consistently moist and lightly shade newly sown seed until germination is well established.

For small mature bulbs, thin or transplant seedlings to approximately 5–8 cm apart. Plants intended for harvesting young can be grown more closely and progressively thinned for use in the kitchen.

Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and maintain even moisture during active growth. Avoid excessive fertilising and waterlogged conditions.

Harvest young whenever the stems reach a useful size, or allow bulbs to develop to approximately golf-ball size. For mature bulbs, reduce watering as they approach harvest and lift once the tops begin to yellow and fall.

Maturity: approximately 60 days.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Allium cepa

Red Brunswick is an old European Onion producing large, semi-flat bulbs with deep red to burgundy skin. Inside, the crisp white flesh is attractively marked with concentric red rings, giving the bulbs plenty of colour when sliced.

The firm flesh has a good traditional onion flavour with enough sweetness for fresh use while retaining plenty of character when cooked. Slice into salads, sandwiches and burgers, add to pickles and relishes, or use in roasting, soups, stews and sauces. Cooking softens both the flavour and some of the vivid red colouring.

Red Brunswick is a late-maturing variety and is particularly valued for its excellent storage qualities. The mature bulbs develop protective outer skins and, when properly cured, can be stored for an extended period in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place.

Also known as Brunswick Red, this heritage variety has long been grown in Europe as a dependable storage onion. Its combination of large bulbs, striking colour and keeping ability has ensured its continued popularity with home gardeners.

Onions have been cultivated since ancient times, with their origins generally traced to Central and Southwest Asia. Their versatility and ability to store for extended periods made them an important staple crop throughout the ancient world and eventually led to the enormous diversity of regional varieties grown today.

Seed count: approximately 240–400 seeds/g
Approximately 100 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: Generally not ideally suited for reliable bulb production
Subtropics: Autumn in cooler districts
Mild climates: Autumn to winter
Cold climates: Autumn to winter, according to local onion-growing conditions

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep into prepared soil, seedbeds or trays in autumn. Keep consistently moist and lightly shade newly sown seed until germination is well established.

Transplant or thin seedlings to approximately 10–15 cm apart to allow the large bulbs room to develop. Grow in full sun in rich, fertile, well-drained soil and maintain even moisture during active growth.

Avoid excessive fertilising and waterlogged conditions. As the bulbs approach maturity, reduce watering and allow the tops to naturally yellow, dry and fall over.

Lift mature bulbs carefully and cure thoroughly in a dry, airy, well-ventilated position. Once properly cured, Red Brunswick is an excellent storage onion and can be kept for many months under suitable conditions.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Allium cepa

Red Creole is a dependable short-day Onion producing rounded bulbs with rich, dark red skin and strongly coloured internal rings extending through towards the centre. Firm, attractive and flavourful, it is particularly well adapted to warm growing regions.

The crisp flesh has a robust onion flavour with a pleasant sweetness, making it excellent sliced fresh into salads, sandwiches, burgers and salsas. It is equally useful for pickling, roasting, grilling and general cooking, although the red colouring will soften with heat.

Red Creole is particularly valued for its performance in warmer climates. As a short-day onion, it begins forming bulbs under shorter daylight conditions than intermediate and long-day varieties, making it well suited to northern and subtropical regions of Australia. Autumn sowing allows plants to establish during the cooler months before developing bulbs as conditions become favourable.

It is also an excellent storage variety. Once the bulbs have matured fully and been properly cured, their firm texture and protective outer skins allow them to keep well for an extended period.

Onions have been cultivated since ancient times, with their origins generally traced to Central and Southwest Asia. Their versatility and ability to store made them an important staple crop throughout the ancient world and eventually led to varieties adapted to very different climates and day lengths.

Seed count: approximately 240–400 seeds/g
Approximately 100 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: Autumn to winter
Subtropics: Autumn to winter
Warm temperate climates: Autumn
Cool climates: Generally choose an intermediate or long-day variety for more reliable bulb development

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep into prepared soil, seedbeds or trays in autumn. Keep consistently moist and lightly shade newly sown seed until germination is well established.

Transplant or thin seedlings to approximately 10–15 cm apart. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and maintain even moisture during active growth and bulb development.

As a short-day variety, Red Creole begins bulb formation under shorter daylight conditions, making it particularly suitable for lower-latitude Australian gardens.

Reduce watering as bulbs approach maturity. Harvest when the tops naturally yellow, dry and fall over. Lift carefully and cure thoroughly in a dry, airy, well-ventilated position before storing.

Maturity: approximately 110 days.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Allium cepa

Texas Early Grano is a classic American short-day Onion producing large, rounded to slightly top-shaped bulbs with pale yellow skin and crisp white flesh. Early maturing and well adapted to warmer climates, it is particularly prized for its mild, sweet flavour and low pungency.

The bulbs have relatively high water content and a gentle onion flavour, making them excellent eaten fresh in salads, sandwiches, burgers and salsas. They are also delicious grilled, roasted or caramelised, where their natural sweetness becomes even more pronounced.

Texas Early Grano has an important place in American onion history. Developed from the Spanish Grano onion and selected for production in Texas, it became an important parent of the sweet onions later grown around Vidalia, Georgia. The famous Vidalia name refers to sweet onions grown within a legally defined region of Georgia rather than to a single onion variety, but Texas Early Grano is closely connected to their development.

As a short-day onion, Texas Early Grano begins forming bulbs under shorter daylight conditions than intermediate and long-day varieties. This makes it particularly well suited to warmer and more northerly Australian regions, where long-day onions may fail to bulb properly.

Sweet onions generally contain more moisture and develop less protective storage tissue than strong-flavoured keeping onions. Texas Early Grano therefore has a short to medium storage life and is best enjoyed relatively soon after harvest.

Onions have been cultivated since ancient times, with their origins generally traced to Central and Southwest Asia. Their versatility eventually led to varieties adapted to very different climates, day lengths and culinary uses.

Seed count: approximately 240–400 seeds/g
Approximately 100 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: Autumn to winter
Subtropics: Autumn to winter
Warm temperate climates: Autumn to winter
Cool climates: Generally choose an intermediate or long-day variety for more reliable bulb development

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep into prepared soil, seedbeds or trays. Keep consistently moist and lightly shade newly sown seed until germination is well established.

Transplant or thin seedlings to approximately 10–15 cm apart to allow the large bulbs room to develop. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and maintain even moisture during active growth.

As a short-day variety, Texas Early Grano initiates bulb formation under relatively short daylight conditions, making latitude and planting time important for successful production.

Reduce watering as bulbs approach maturity. Harvest when the tops naturally yellow, dry and fall over. Lift carefully and cure in a dry, airy, well-ventilated position.

Because of its sweet, succulent flesh, Texas Early Grano is not intended for very long storage and is best used fresh or within the months following harvest.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Allium cepa

White Queen is an early Italian heirloom onion producing attractive, flattened white bulbs with crisp white flesh and a mild, sweet flavour. Traditionally valued as a fresh-eating and pickling onion, it is particularly good harvested young, when the bulbs are tender and delicately flavoured.

Quick to mature compared with many storage onions, White Queen is excellent for salads, antipasto, pickling and cooking. It is best enjoyed fresh rather than relied upon for long-term storage.

Onions have been cultivated since ancient times and are thought to have originated in Central or Southwest Asia. They contain vitamin C, fibre and naturally occurring sulphur compounds. A valuable cool-season crop, onions perform best in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and should not be over-fertilised or allowed to become waterlogged.

Seed count: approximately 240–400 seeds per gram. Approximately 100 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March–June
Subtropics: March–July
Mild climates: February–August
Cold climates: March–May and August–September

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep into finely prepared soil or seed-raising mix, keeping the seedbed consistently moist until germination. Lightly shade newly sown beds in warm conditions until seedlings are well established.

Thin or transplant seedlings to approximately 8–10 cm apart with 25–30 cm between rows. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and avoid excessive nitrogen or waterlogging. Reduce watering as bulbs approach maturity. Harvest when the tops naturally yellow, dry and fall over, then cure the bulbs in a dry, well-ventilated position.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Picked young for green bunching with long white stem or grow to 13cm when it has mild firm flesh. 65 or 130 days.

Not Available for TAS

Planting/sowing: Sow in well-drained soil. In warm areas, plant in early spring. In cool areas, wait until late spring. Space appropriately for variety.

Allium cepa

White Utah Jumbo is a vigorous long-day Onion producing large to jumbo-sized, rounded bulbs with clean white skin and crisp white flesh. Plants develop strong tops and uniform bulbs, providing dependable yields when grown in regions with the long summer daylight needed for good bulb development.

The flesh has a mild, slightly sweet flavour and satisfying crisp texture. It is excellent sliced fresh into salads, sandwiches and salsas, or used for pickling, roasting, grilling and general cooking. The white bulbs are particularly useful where a clean, mild onion flavour is preferred.

White Utah Jumbo is a long-day onion, requiring the longer daylight hours of late spring and summer to initiate and develop substantial bulbs. It is therefore best suited to cooler southern regions of Australia, where summer days are sufficiently long. In warmer northern regions, short-day varieties are generally more reliable for mature bulb production.

Onions have been cultivated since ancient times, with their origins generally traced to Central and Southwest Asia. Their versatility, flavour and ability to store made them an important staple crop throughout the ancient world and eventually led to varieties adapted to different climates, latitudes and day lengths.

For the largest bulbs, provide generous spacing, full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Maintain steady moisture during active growth, but avoid excessive fertilising or waterlogged conditions.

Seed count: approximately 240–400 seeds/g
Approximately 200 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: Not recommended for reliable bulb production
Subtropics: Generally not suited as a bulbing onion
Mild southern climates: Winter to early spring
Cold climates: Winter to early spring

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep into prepared soil, seedbeds or trays. Keep consistently moist and lightly shade newly sown seed until germination is well established.

Transplant or thin seedlings to approximately 10–15 cm apart. For maximum jumbo-sized bulbs, allow around 15 cm between plants to reduce competition.

Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and maintain even moisture during active growth and bulb development. As a long-day variety, White Utah Jumbo requires sufficiently long summer daylight hours for reliable bulb formation, making latitude and sowing time important.

Reduce watering as the bulbs approach maturity. Harvest in summer once the tops naturally yellow, dry and fall over. Lift carefully and cure thoroughly in a dry, airy, well-ventilated position before storing.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Allium fistulosum

Evergreen Bunching Spring Onion is a reliable, non-bulbing variety that produces attractive clusters of 4 to 9 long, slender stems from each plant. Highly productive and easy to grow, it is a favourite among home gardeners for its extended harvest period and ability to provide fresh onions for much of the year.

Unlike traditional bulb onions, this bunching variety is grown for its crisp white stems and fresh green tops. The mild onion flavour makes it ideal for salads, stir-fries, soups, omelettes, garnishes and a wide range of cooked dishes. Plants can be harvested whole or individual stems can be removed as needed while the clump continues to grow.

Evergreen Bunching is hardy, adaptable and long-lived, producing repeated harvests from the same planting. Its vigorous growth and dependable performance make it an essential addition to productive kitchen gardens.

Approximately 320 seeds per gram
Approximately 280 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March to September
Subtropics: February to October
Mild climates: Year round
Cold climates: Spring to autumn

Planting / Sowing

Sow seed 5–10 mm deep directly into prepared garden beds or seedling trays. Thin seedlings as required or transplant into clumps to encourage bunching. Space plants 10–15 cm apart in rows 25–30 cm apart.

Grow in full sun to partial shade in fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost. Keep soil consistently moist and harvest stems as required from around 60 days onwards. Plants will continue producing new shoots over an extended period, with mature clumps forming clusters of multiple stems.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.