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Green onions, also known as scallions or spring onions, are a staple in kitchens around the world, prized for their mild onion flavour and the bright, fresh accent they bring to dishes. Whether you’re garnishing salads, spicing up soups, or adding zest to stir-fries, growing your own green onions can provide you with a continual supply of this flavourful herb. Here’s everything you need to know to successfully grow green onions in your garden or on your windowsill.
Why Grow Green Onions?
Green onions are incredibly versatile in the kitchen and equally adaptable in the garden. They require minimal space, grow quickly, and can be harvested repeatedly throughout the growing season. Plus, they’re packed with beneficial nutrients like vitamins A, C, and K, alongside antioxidants and fiber. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a green-thumb novice, green onions are a rewarding and straightforward crop to cultivate.
Choosing Your Green Onions
Green onions can be grown from seeds or, even simpler, from the base of onions you’ve bought from the store. When selecting varieties to grow from seed, consider these popular options:
- ‘White Lisbon’: A classic variety known for its hardiness and mild flavour.
- ‘Evergreen Hardy White’: Ideal for overwintering, this variety is cold-resistant and produces tender, white stalks.
- ‘Tokyo Long White’: Boasts a longer white stem, perfect for those who prefer more of the mild, white portion.
Planting Green Onions
- From Seeds: Sow seeds directly in the garden or in containers about ¼ inch deep. Space seeds 1 inch apart in rows, thinning seedlings to 2 inches apart as they grow. Green onions prefer well-draining soil rich in organic matter, with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.
- From Kitchen Scraps: Place the white base of a green onion with roots intact in a cup of water, exposing the top to sunlight. Change the water every few days, and in about a week, you’ll see new growth. Plant the rooted bases in the garden or a pot, leaving the new green shoots exposed.
Caring for Your Green Onions
- Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist. Green onions have shallow roots and benefit from regular watering, especially during dry periods.
- Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks to support growth. If you’re starting with rich, compost-enriched soil, additional feeding may not be necessary.
- Weeding: Keep the area around your green onions free of weeds, which can compete for nutrients and water.
Harvesting and Using Green Onions
Green onions can be harvested as soon as they are big enough to use—typically when the stalks are about 6 inches tall and the bulbs have formed but are still slender. Cut or gently pull the entire plant from the soil. If you prefer a continuous harvest, snip the green tops and leave the white bulbs in the ground; they will regrow.
Pest and Disease Management
Green onions are relatively trouble-free but can occasionally be bothered by onion flies and thrips. Maintain healthy soil and practice crop rotation to minimize issues. Use organic pesticides only as needed, following label instructions carefully.
Storing Green Onions
Fresh green onions can last up to two weeks in the refrigerator. For longer storage, chop the green onions and freeze them in airtight containers or bags. They can be added directly from the freezer to cooked dishes.
Final Thoughts
Growing green onions is a simple and satisfying way to ensure you always have fresh, flavourful onions on hand for your culinary creations. Whether you start from seed or kitchen scraps, these hardy plants can provide a continual harvest with minimal care, making them a perfect addition to any garden or windowsill.