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 10°C and 20°C. (Show °F/in)
  • 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

08 Feb 10, Adrian (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
A simple suggestion for would-be spring onion growers! Instead of all the cost, hassle and time that it takes to get a crop of spring onions from seed, I just buy myself a bunch of thin spring onions at the supermarket and plant them 3 inches apart in well mulched and limed soil. The last bunch I bought had 45 plants which I planted yesterday and will be ready to progressively use in 10 days time, when they have thickened a bit, for some 4-6 weeks. It's fool proof and guaranteed to give you an instant spring onion patch. Even though it may be cheating a little. Cost $1.99 compared to $4.95 for a packet of seed.
15 Sep 09, Alison (Australia - temperate climate)
Spring onions in Victoria are known as shallots in NSW. Very bloody confusing. As a cook, I wouldn't worry too much about it unless in Asian cuisine when the long skinny ones with green bits (Victoria vs NSW ... again! ...hehehe) are preferred.
21 Aug 09, klyie (Australia - temperate climate)
I have been growing spring onions for a while and have just noticed bubble like flowers om the tips of some stems. Should I be cutting these off???
21 Aug 09, Susan (Australia - temperate climate)
Spring onions and shallots are two different things. Shallots (also known as French shallots) are like smallish onions (just a bulb) whereas spring onions don't have a big bulb and include the long green shoots (leaves). I think spring onions are called green onions in the US.
14 Jun 09, anne reynolds (Australia - temperate climate)
when a recipe says to use spring onions, how do I know whether it means green onions, or shallots? The difference? thank you
04 Jun 09, Dawn (Australia - temperate climate)
Jared - My spring onions are still seedlings so I bought some from the shop. I looked for roots that were not dried out. I planted them 1inch into the ground and they have been growing new shoots for over a month! When I need some I either cut off a green stem for garnish or pull it out of the ground to cook with. Better than in a cup of water for 1 week!
17 May 09, Jared (Australia - temperate climate)
Just a note : I always put my scraps and off cuts into the compost heap and i found big spring onions growing all over the place turns out my spring onion off cuts grew another spring onion. I tried planting the off cuts of of some shop brought onions and now i have an endless supply and just cut them 50mm above the ground.
03 May 09, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i whould like to enquire when do you grow spring onions whats the best time of the year to plant them?
01 Jul 21, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
spring onions are best planted out or in sown in late March to early May.
Showing 61 - 69 of 69 comments

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