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

Allium fistulosum : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

Mar	May	Sep	Oct
S
	T
	P	P	P

(Best months for growing Spring onions in USA - Zone 7a regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays
T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
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

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

23 Mar 24, Dot (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate): If you grow spring onion in a container inside, can you grow them earlier?
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04 Aug 23, CANDY (Canada - Zone 5b Temperate Warm Summer climate): HELLO I SOW MY ONION SEEDS IN A SEED TRAY SHOULD I PLANT DIRECTLY IN A BIG CONTAINER - SORRY I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS AM A RETIRED SENIOR I AM NEW TO GARDENING THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP GOD BLESS YOU AMEN!
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20 Aug 23, Anonymous (Canada - Zone 5b Temperate Warm Summer climate): Plant direct into your garden.
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26 Oct 22, Jas mine me (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Ok i understand thanks.
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29 Apr 20, Peter Minchin (New Zealand - temperate climate): I have grown spring onions from seeds for years, but mine are never as long as those I see in the shops. I have been transplanting the seedlings, when about 10cm high, into a shallow row , filling the row in and watering well. Should I be planting them like I do leeks, into a deepish hole with the leaves just extending out of this hole?
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30 Apr 20, Another gardener (New Zealand - temperate climate): 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.
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06 Apr 20, Todd Williams (USA - Zone 6a climate): I live in lower Missouri and have giant (5 foot) Chinese salida onion seeds. How and when do I plant them?
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24 Feb 20, Liam (USA - Zone 5a climate): How much space between rows
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27 Feb 20, Liz at Gardenate (New Zealand - temperate climate): You can grow spring onions close together, about 8cm/4 inches between rows
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17 Aug 17, NIGEL (Australia - tropical climate): IS SPRING ONION ANNUAL OR PREANNUAL (perennial?)
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Replying to:

when a recipe says to use spring onions, how do I know whether it means green onions, or shallots? The difference? thank you

- anne reynolds

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

Allium fistulosum : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Spring onions

Your comments and tips

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