How to grow spring onions?

I'm here to share my experience. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Do you love the taste of fresh spring onions? Did you know that you can grow them right in your own backyard? In this step-by-step guide, we will teach you how to grow these delicious vegetables. Spring onions are a great addition to any garden, and they are easy to grow!

What kind of onion is better to choose?

What kind of onion is better to choose?
Photo from @grow.to.eat

There are several popular types of onions: green onions and scallions. Green onions, also known as shallots, have a thin white stem and green leaves. Onion bulbs, on the other hand, have a thick white stem and a round bulb at the end. Both types of onions have a pleasant and delicate flavor. But for quick and easy planting, there are also others:

  • White Lisbon is the best option, which is suitable for beginner gardeners. These onions are not afraid of temporary frosts and sprout very quickly;
  • Pompeii – the onion turns out rounded shape, has a silvery rind, and has a very juicy structure. It is best selected for pickling with other vegetables;
  • Apache is a red onion that has a very juicy and crunchy texture. It is best for salads and for fresh consumption;
  • Feast F1 Hybrid is a suitable variety for beginners. It grows during the whole summer and has good taste qualities.

How to properly sow spring onions?

How to properly sow spring onions?
Photo from @una_huerta_en_la_

Onion bulbs are planted in the fall, but green onions can be planted at any time of year. The best time to plant onion bulbs is from September to November. You can also plant them in December or January, but they may not produce as many onions as those planted in the fall.

If onions are planted in September, you can get a crop of onions in early spring. But for this kind of growing, you need to choose a variety that can survive the low winter temperatures. If you decide to choose a variety that is not winter-hardy, it should be planted from March to August. In this case, the harvest will be possible in 8 weeks after planting.

Tips for planting onions:

  1. Onions should only be planted in well-drained soil, and very fertile soil. Before sowing, the soil should be well loosened and an all-purpose fertilizer should be added. This should be done 1 week before sowing onions.
  2. After that, start making hollows in the soil about 1.5 cm, with a distance of 15 cm between them. Then start sowing the seeds in a thin layer.
  3. Remember that green onions do not tolerate too much water. So it is important to make the soil well drained. Make sure that there are no weeds in your vegetable garden. Weeds quickly kill onions. Young shoots are also very attractive to birds, so it makes sense to cover the seedlings with a garden blanket.

Proper watering of onions

Proper watering of onions
Photo from @claudette_bruce

Onions should be watered regularly, but not too often. Water the onions every day for about two weeks and then do it every other day. During dry periods, it may be necessary to water them twice a day. When watering, soak the soil well so that the water penetrates deep into the soil. It is important to avoid wet puddles – this can cause root rot onions as well as other diseases.

The finer points of growing onions

Because there are many suitable spring onion varieties, you will be able to choose the best one for you. Some varieties produce very small fruits that are good for salads or pickles. And there are some that are larger and larger. In especially hot weather, when you already see the first harvest, it is advisable to cut the flowering heads, or else the onions will produce smaller fruits.

What’s the right way to harvest?

What's the right way to harvest?
Photo from @griffin.allotmentuk

As we wrote earlier, onions will harvest 8 weeks after planting. During this time, the onion will grow by 15 cm, the bulb heads will be about 2.5 cm across. Pull onions from the soil by hand, or with a special scoop.

How to store onions?

Onions can be stored in a cool dry place for up to two weeks. But this time can be extended by chopping the onions very finely and packing them in plastic containers or in a bag. Put the baggie in the freezer and take the onions as needed.

What diseases are susceptible to onions?

There are several diseases that can affect onions, but they can be prevented by good cultural practices. The most common disease of onions is “white rot. This is a fungal disease that affects the base of the onion bulb and causes it to rot. It can be controlled by planting resistant varieties and removing infected plants from the vegetable garden. The disease also affects the top of the onion, turning it yellow. After a while, the onion will begin to wilt.

What diseases are susceptible to onions?
Photo from @henryhoblog

False powdery mildew is also a fungal disease of onions that affects only the green feathers of the onion. They begin to show spots, and in severe cases, they begin to fall off. This problem can be avoided by proper planting, where it is important to ensure that the onion is well ventilated.

How to grow onions at home in water?

How to grow onions at home in water?
Photo from @floraandfaunaau

Onions can also be grown in water. This is a great way to get a crop of onions if you don’t have much space in your garden. You will need an onion, a sharp knife, a cutting board, and a wide-mouthed glass or jar:

  1. First, you need to pick a good ripe green onion fruit that has several healthy roots;
  2. Then carefully, using a sharp knife, you need to cut off the top of the leaves-feathers;
  3. Take a glass, jar or bottle with a wide neck, put our fruit inside and pour water. The water should completely cover the roots of the onion;
  4. As the green feathers leaves grow, you can cut them off and eat them;
  5. Change the water every 2-3 days;
  6. If you cut off the leeks, the onion will produce new ones until the head is no longer yielding. In this case, it is recommended to replace the fruit.
Nick Wayne

Gardening and lawn care enthusiast

Nicolaslawn
Add a comment