Spring onions, also known as scallions, salad onions, or bunching onions, are a versatile and flavorful addition to various dishes. These onions are harvested before the bulbs mature, offering a milder taste compared to fully grown onions. The entire plant, including the bulb and leaves, can be used in cooking, making them a valuable addition to your garden or kitchen.
In this guide, we will discuss how to plant, grow, and care for spring onions to ensure a bountiful harvest.
Varieties of Spring Onions
When it comes to growing spring onions, you have a wide selection of varieties to choose from. Some popular options include:
- Spring onion ‘White Lisbon’: This variety matures quickly and is ideal for successive sowing throughout the summer. Sowings in September can even last through the winter.
- Spring onion ‘Apache’: Known for its purple-skinned bulbs, this variety offers a mild flavor and crisp texture.
- Spring onion ‘Feast’: A reliable performer, this variety is highly tolerant to heat and downy mildew. It is excellent for successive sowing, providing harvests throughout the summer.
Essential Tools and Materials for Growing Spring Onions
Before getting started, gather the following tools and materials to ensure a successful harvest:
- Rake
- Garden spade
- Garden fork
- Trowel
- Spring onion seeds
- Well-rotted farmyard manure or soil conditioner
- Granulated fertilizer
- Horticultural fleece
If you plan on growing spring onions in pots, you will also need:
- Container with drainage holes
- Compost
Planting Spring Onions
Spring onions are relatively easy to grow from seed and thrive in fertile, well-drained soil with ample sunlight. For a continuous harvest in the summer, sow spring onions every three weeks from March to August. If you desire a winter harvest, sow in September for a spring harvest.
Prepare the soil in autumn by clearing weeds, stones, and incorporating well-rotted farmyard manure or soil conditioner for improved drainage. Two weeks before sowing, add granulated fertilizer to the soil, rake it smooth, and create shallow drills for planting.
Sow the spring onion seeds thinly in the drills, cover with soil, and protect with fleece to prevent bird damage. For a constant supply, sow new seeds every three weeks throughout the summer.
Growing Spring Onions in Pots
To cultivate spring onions in containers, select a pot with proper drainage and fill it with high-quality potting compost. Scatter seeds over the surface, cover with compost, and water lightly to moisten the soil.
Growing Spring Onions in Water
If outdoor space is limited, you can regrow store-bought spring onions in water indoors. Here’s how to do it:
- Choose spring onions with roots at the base.
- Trim the leaves and place the bulbs in a jar of water.
- Harvest individual leaves as needed for cooking and allow the plants to regrow in the water.
Remember to change the water every few days to maintain freshness.
Caring for Spring Onions
Water your spring onions during dry spells and ensure container-grown onions are adequately watered to keep the soil moist. Avoid over-watering to prevent diseases like downy mildew, which can impact plant health.
Weed regularly by hand to protect the shallow roots of spring onions from damage.
Harvesting and Storing Spring Onions
Spring onions are ready for harvest in approximately eight weeks when they reach a height of about 15cm (6in) and have small bulbs less than 2.5cm (1in) in diameter. Gently pull the plants from the soil as needed, using a hand fork if necessary.
For storage, use harvested spring onions within two weeks, or keep them fresh in the fridge in sealed plastic bags. Another option is to store them in water to preserve freshness until ready for use.
Common Diseases of Spring Onions
Two common diseases that may affect spring onions are:
- Onion White Rot: This fungal disease causes leaves to wilt, turn yellow, and bulbs to rot. Prevent by avoiding planting in areas with a history of white rot.
- Onion Downy Mildew: This fungal disease results in blotches on leaves, leaf loss, and stunted growth. Ensure good air circulation and water in the morning to reduce the risk of downy mildew.
By following these guidelines, you can successfully plant, grow, and care for spring onions, ensuring a fresh and flavorful addition to your culinary creations.
