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
  • Spring onions

Can be grown from 'sets' (seedlings brought on earlier). Spring onions are grown close together and harvested before fully mature.

Do not like to be too dry. Best in a sheltered, sunny spot. If you are growing onions from seed, you can use the 'thinnings' as spring onions.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Spring onions

Can be eaten raw in salads. Often used chopped and sprinkled on Asian stir-fry.

Your comments and tips

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.
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.
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!
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
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.
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???
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.
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.
10 Feb 10, trevor (Australia - temperate climate)
I have trouble growing spring onions from seed. i plant them directly in the ground and also in a mini greenhouse using seed raising mix. both plantings don't seem to produce. WHY?
Showing 1 - 10 of 69 comments

I grow shallots, far easier to grow. Plant 3 bulbs together 150mm apart, good rich soil and water each day or two. Plenty of sunlight. Easiest thing to grow I reckon. You keep some bulbs from one year for the next year. If you want to stick with spring onions try what you are thinking, don't plant too deep though. Hill the soil up a bit as they grow. Make sure you have good rich soil. The plants will show you, if weak and pale green, they need some N.

- Another gardener

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