How to Grow Onions at Home in Pakistan – Complete Guide

🌸 Quick Botanical Profile

• Botanical Name: Allium cepa L.

• Family: Amaryllidaceae

• Pollination: Cross-pollinated

• Flowering Habit: Biennial (but grown annually for bulbs)

📅 When to Plant in Pakistan

🌿 Companion Planting

✅ Good Companions:

• Carrots

• Lettuce

• Beets

• Strawberries

• Tomatoes

❌ Avoid Planting Near:

• Peas

• Beans

• Sage

• Asparagus

⏱️ Growth Timeline

How-To by Growth Stage

🌱 Starting

• Sowing Method: Start from seed or sets; direct sow recommended

• Spacing: 10–12 cm between Seeds

• Depth: 1–1.5 cm

• Soil Temp for Germination: 15–25°C

• Water: Light watering twice a day until germination

• ✅ Use ApnaUgao Potting Mix

• ✅ Use ApnaUgao Grow Bags – 12” deep

🌿 Seedling Stage

• Thin seedlings to 10–12 cm spacing

• Transplant when plants are pencil-thick (if using nursery)

• Keep soil moist but not soggy

🌱 Vegetative Stage

• Fertilize every 2 weeks

• ✅ Bone Meal – boosts bulb formation

• ✅ Vermicompost – improves soil biology

• ✅ NPK 19-19-19 – during bulb development

• Watering: Once daily, reduce slightly during bulbing

🧺 Harvest

• Harvest Time: 100–120 days after sowing

• Signs: 50% tops falling over, necks soft

• How to Harvest: Pull gently and let cure in shade for 7–10 days

• Storage: Store bulbs in a cool, dry place

• Propagation: Save small onions for next sowing as sets

Scientific Variations – Onion (Available at ApnaUgao)

Botanical Group: Allium cepa (Bulb Onion), Allium fistulosum (Green Onion), Allium porrum (Leek)

• Available Varieties at ApnaUgao:

  Red Onions:

  • Red Onion Desi Vegetable Seeds

  • Red Onion Seeds Roja de Zalla

  Yellow Onions:

  • Yellow Onion Seeds – Babosa Temprana

  Shallots:

  • Shallots Onion Seeds – Lunga di Fiernze

  Green Onions (Scallions):

  • Green Onion Seeds La Reina

  • Green Onion Seeds Barletta

  • Heirloom Green Onion Seeds – Blanca de Lisbonne

  Leeks:

  • Leek Largo Seeds

  • Leek Verde Seeds

Types:

• • Heirloom: Blanca de Lisbonne, Roja de Zalla, Lunga di Fiernze

  • Desi: Red Onion Desi

  • OP & Specialty: Babosa Temprana, La Reina, Barletta, Leeks

Classifications:

• • Short-day (good for Sindh/Balochistan)

  • Intermediate-day (for Punjab)

  • Long-day (best for Northern Areas)

🌟 Benefits of Onions

• Boosts heart health and immunity

• Rich in antioxidants like quercetin

• Supports digestion and blood sugar control

• Excellent for cooking, pickling, and raw use

• Grows well in small spaces!

Note: This information is for educational purposes only, not medical advice.

🛒 Shop ApnaUgao Essentials for Onions

• Grow Bags – 12” Deep

• Organic Potting Mix

• Bone Meal

• Vermicompost

• NPK 19-19-19 Fertilizer