How To Grow Green Onions

Green onions have an almost unlimited amount of uses and are very easy to grow. Green onions can be grown from seed or as sets. I love green onions in soups, salads, on top of a nice steak, used as a baked potato topping, and many other ways.

Green onions are also referred to as bunching onions, and have a milder onion taste than storage onions. They are actually immature onions that are harvested before the bulb matures. The green onion features a dark green stem (also called scallions) and a white bulb with roots. Both parts of the onion are edible.

There are several different cultivars of green onion including, ‘Tokyo Long White‘, ‘Parade’, and ‘Red Baron‘ to name a few.

Planting

Plant onion seed as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. Onion seeds germinate in a wide range of soil temperature, between 65° F and 86° F. Sow and cover seed with ½” of soil and keep moist. Seeds can be started indoors 6-8 weeks prior to planting. Green onions can be set in the garden about 1-1½” apart. To plant onions sets, simply press sets into the soil about 2″ apart.

Onions benefit from full sun, a soil pH of 6.0-7.5 and a well drained soil with plenty of premium compost or well rotted manure added. Feed with a complete balanced fertilizer during the growing season.

Harvest

Green onions are best picked when they are young and tender. Dig or pull green onions when the tops reach between 6-8″ tall and the bulb have begun to swell. To use as dried bulbs, wait until the green tops have withered and browned, then stop watering. Most green onions are ready to harvest between 70-90 days.

When you are slicing or preparing a green onion, leave about 1″ above the root. This section can be re-planted into the soil. Place the root section about 1″ deep in the soil, root side down, and lightly cover the top with soil. The root section will then re-sprout the green tops within a couple weeks. This process can be repeated several times with the same root section. A great way to “recycle” your green onions! For more information on regrowing green onions, please read Regrow Your Green Onions For Maximum Use.

Pests & Diseases

Pests and diseases are rare for the home grown green onion, but they can become susceptible to maggots, thrips, and soilborne diseases. Use crop rotation to avoid these issues.

Recommended Reading

If you are interested in growing fabulous onions, then you should pick up a copy of Onions, Leeks, and Garlic: A Handbook for Gardeners. It is the definitive guide for growing all types of onions, garlic and leeks. Your onions will grow bigger, faster, and taste better using the growing techniques outlined in this easy to follow book. I highly recommend it!

Start growing onions in your garden now!