Green Onion Growing Guide

All you need to know to grow successfully!

Plant Family:
Amaryllidaceae
Plant Type:
Perennial

Square Foot Spacing:

16
Typical Season:
Full Season
Typical Zones Grown In:
6, 7, 8, 9
Growing Difficulty:
Medium

Green onion, also known as scallion or spring onion, is a vegetable that belongs to the allium family along with onions, garlic, and chives. Green onions have long, green stalks with a white bulbous end. They have a mild, slightly sweet flavour and can be eaten raw or cooked. Green onions are a popular ingredient in many cuisines around the world and are often used to add flavour and garnish to dishes. They are also a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate. Green onions can be easily grown in a home garden and are a great addition to any kitchen.

How to Grow Green Onion Organically

  1. Select a planting site: Green onions prefer a sunny spot with well-drained soil. They can also be grown in containers.
  2. Prepare the soil: Loosen the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches and remove any rocks or debris. Add compost or aged manure to the soil to improve soil fertility and drainage.
  3. Plant the onions: Plant onion sets or small onion bulbs about 1 inch deep and 2 to 3 inches apart. You can also sow onion seeds thinly in rows about 1/4 inch deep.
  4. Water the onions: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather.
  5. Fertilize the onions: Fertilize the onions with a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, once a month during the growing season.
  6. Harvest the onions: Green onions are ready to harvest when they are about 6 inches tall and the bulbs are about the size of a marble. You can harvest the entire plant, or cut off the leaves and let the bulb continue to grow.
  7. Store the onions: Green onions can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. To store them longer, you can chop them and freeze them in an airtight container.

Green onions are easy to grow and add a delicious flavor to many dishes. They are also a good source of vitamin C and other nutrients. With these steps, you can grow your own fresh green onions at home.

Planting Guidelines

The following are general guides to follow. However, nothing is set in stone. Feel free to experiment!

How to Start:
Start Indoor, Direct Sow
When to Direct Sow:
April, May, June, July, August
When to Start Indoors:
February, March
Sprouting Time:
6-12 days

Ideal Temperature (C):

21-25
Depth:
Sow 3 seeds 5mm-1cm (¼-½”) deep
Spacing (cm):
12-15cm (5-6″)
Row Spacing (cm):
45-75cm (18-30″)
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Maturity Time:
50
When To Harvest:
May, June, July
How to Harvest:
Stop watering in the beginning of August to mature the bulbs in dry soil. After half the tops have fallen, push over the remainder, wait a week and lift the bulbs. Curing is essential for long storage. Spread bulbs out in the sun for about a week, covering them at night to protect from dew. When the outer layer of the onion changes from moist to dry and crisp, it is cured. If weather is poor, cure inside. Storage: Keep onions in mesh sacks or hang in braids so they get good ventilation, and hang sacks where air is dry and very cool, but not freezing. Check them regularly and remove any sprouting or rotting onions. Well-cured storage onions should keep until late spring.

Health Benefits

Growing your own food is one of the best things you can do for your health. Let’s check out some of the health benefits!

Is It Edible?
Yes
Edible Parts:
Green and white part
Potential Health Benefits:
Cancer Fighting , Prevents Infections

Tips to Growing Organically

Growing without the use of pesticides and herbicides is easier than you may think and it’s better for the environment!

Companion Plants:
Beet, Carrot, Kale, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Collards, Dill, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce, Strawberry
What Plants to Avoid:
Pea, Asparagus
Common Pests:
The pungent odour of onions repels many pests and also protects nearby garden vegetables.
Common Disease:
Botrytis blast and downy mildew are common leaf diseases. One starts with white spots and streaks, the other with purple-grey areas on leaves. Leaves wither from the top down and plants die prematurely. Separate the overwintered and spring crops because disease starts in older plants and moves to younger. Avoid overhead watering and plant in open sunny locations.
Bonus Grow Tips:
The soil should be fertile and well-draining. Raised beds are ideal for growing green onions.

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