Growing Spring onions, also Scallions, Bunching onions, Welsh onion

Allium fistulosum : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S                    
      P                

(Best months for growing Spring onions in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: Plant close together
  • Harvest in 8-12 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Lemon Balm, Borage, Carrots, Beets, Silverbeet, Lettuce, Amaranth
  • Avoid growing close to: Peas, Beans

Your comments and tips

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18 May 21, Jan (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Good to know! I'm in a cool climate (Victoria) and I've grown some from seed and they also look like spindly toothpicks... Thanks for sharing.
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30 Aug 13, Kyria (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted my spring onions (from seed) roughly a month and half ago, they have only grown a tiny bit - they actually resemble toothpicks. What am I doing wrong? I live in Melbourne metro. I have the exact same problem with my leeks
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13 Jul 20, Jason (Australia - temperate climate)
This reply is a few years late, but I found it's easier to grow spring onions from healthy, fully-grown ones from a fruit market. Just cut off and keep the bottom 5 to 7cm and replant. They like a fair amount of water but good drainage, so they grow well in containers, in full sun. I tried growing from store-bought seeds and seeds saved from last year, but many didn't germinate, the ones that did took a long time to grow, and the sprouts are so tiny they can get damaged/squashed when watering if you're not really careful.
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24 Aug 13, ChrisW (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
My spring onions have got seed pods - is it possible to grow new plants from these? And how should I harvest the seeds? The plants originated from off cuts from bunches I bought in the supermarket.
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26 Aug 13, Jo (Australia - temperate climate)
Let the flower heads fully open, then when the tiny black seeds are just visible, cut off the whole flower head and pop it in a paper bag, leave it open in a dry place until the flower head dries. Then when dry, you can lightly crush up the flower head and collect the seeds in the bag.
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19 Feb 13, Gayedygirl (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yes you can cut the spring onion at soil level and it will grow again - even the shop bought ones!
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18 Feb 13, stevegretton (Australia - temperate climate)
when i harvest ill the plant regrow if i just cut it off at ground leel and leave the roots intact?
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15 Jan 13, Mick (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You can grow the ends of all types of onions simply leave a little bit of flesh above the the root and plant in pots or garden they grow best in season but will grow any time. Use as a green onion and cut and come again.
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20 May 12, vincent O'Hara (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
plant spring onions in styrene box?
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06 Oct 12, Stella (Australia - temperate climate)
Yeah sure just make a few holes at the bottom for drainage
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