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 50°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • 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

21 Mar 12, Daryl of New Giz (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I agree with Tracey, even up here in the Macedon Ranges spring onions can be grown from seed during any of the warmer months SUGGEST see Chives for planting season
03 Feb 12, Bernadette Staal (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I am growing onions and spring onions with Pea's but I notice your web site says these mixes should be avoided, why is this?
13 Nov 11, Tracey in Melbourne (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Jim, Spring onions are grown from seed, not a seed onion (I assume you mean onion set?). I notice that the Gardenate guide says to sow Aug through October in Temperate regions, but my experience (Melbourne) is that they can be sown pretty much all year round (obviously they grow faster in warmer conditions). I just put in some more seeds the other day. One thing worth knowing is that onion seed doesn't store very well, so if you have an old packet you might get poor germination.
07 Nov 11, jim (Australia - temperate climate)
do ya grow a spring onion from an seeding onion and do i just put it straight in the ground and what do u neeed to do to grow it ?
05 Mar 11, patricia (Australia - temperate climate)
how do you know when to harvest spring onions
11 Mar 11, Katherine (Australia - temperate climate)
Harvest when the leaves are tall, upright, and green. You're only eating the portion of the plant you see above the soil, so when that looks like something you want to eat, snip it off and eat it. There's no need to dig up the whole plant, just cut leaves from the outside.
12 Jan 11, paul (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I've had good result in getting spring onions to germinate from seed in spring autumn & winter but NOT summer. I have come to the conclusion that the Newcastle NSW summer is just too hot for them
04 Dec 10, (Australia - temperate climate)
How long does it take for a spring onions?
01 Nov 10, Cynthia (Australia - temperate climate)
Put a packet of spring onions through a cold wash by mistake in a pocket. Left them on top of the w. machine a few days - they all sprouted in the packet.
01 Nov 10, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Last week I planted out some spring onion seedlings and within a few days something appears to be eating them from the top down. It almost appears as though they have been cut with a knife or scissors. Anyone help?
Showing 41 - 50 of 69 comments

Good to know! I'm in a cool climate (Victoria) and I've grown some from seed and they also look like spindly toothpicks... Thanks for sharing.

- Jan

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.