ONION ‘Brown Odourless’ Vegetable Seeds
Botanical Name: Allium cepa
- Intermediate day variety producing large, mild-flavoured brown onions.
- Well-suited to Australian climates with autumn sowing and spring to early summer harvest.
- Forms globe-shaped bulbs with smooth brown skin and a gentle, sweet taste.
- Perfect for cooking, salads, sandwiches, and recipes needing a subtle onion flavour without strong odours.
- Stores well when cured properly, maintaining quality in a cool, dry place for several months.
- Easy to grow and ideal for home gardens, allotments, and market gardens alike.
Plant Details:
- Plant Type: Biennial, commonly grown as an annual; grows up to 40 cm tall
Sowing Information:
- Sow When:
- Temperate: February – June
- Cool: February – July
- Subtropical: March – June
- Tropical: March – May
- Arid: March – June
- Germination: 7 – 14 days
- Depth: Sow 0.5 – 1 cm deep
- Position: Full sun to promote strong bulb development
- Sow Where: Direct sow into well-prepared garden beds or start in trays for later transplanting
- Soil Type: Loose, fertile, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 – 7.0; enrich soil with compost before sowing
- Rows: 30 cm apart
- Spacing: 10 – 15 cm between plants
Details:
- Water evenly to keep moisture consistent and avoid stress that can impact bulb formation.
- Avoid overhead watering to help reduce fungal issues.
- Feed with a balanced fertilizer during active growth for optimal yields.
Harvest:
110 – 140 days
Growing Instructions
- Prepare soil by loosening thoroughly and incorporating organic matter for good drainage and nutrition.
- Sow seeds thinly in rows or start in trays 8–10 weeks before transplanting outdoors.
- Harden off seedlings before transplanting to help them adjust to outdoor conditions.
- Keep planting areas weed-free to minimise competition for water and nutrients.
- Reduce watering as bulbs mature to allow skins to dry fully for better storage life.
Companion Planting
Onion ‘Brown Odourless’ benefits greatly from companion plants that enhance growth, naturally deter pests, and improve overall garden health. Strategic planting creates a supportive ecosystem, promoting strong bulbs and consistent harvests.
- Carrots: Deep-rooted companion that helps break up soil, improving drainage and nutrient availability for onions. Carrots and onions also repel each other’s common pests, reducing overall insect pressure.
- Beetroot: Complements onions by efficiently using garden space without competing for nutrients. Beetroot helps maintain soil structure and attracts beneficial insects that support healthy onion growth.
- Additional Companions: Lettuce, chamomile, spinach, and herbs such as parsley and thyme improve pest control, enhance pollination, and encourage vigorous, healthy development when planted alongside onions.
Using carrots and beetroot together with Onion ‘Brown Odourless’ creates a productive, low-maintenance planting system. This combination improves soil fertility, reduces pest damage, and encourages steady, healthy bulb development throughout the growing season, resulting in firm, flavourful onions and a reliable harvest.
