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 S S     S S        
    T T T     T T      
    P P     P P P      

(Best months for growing Spring onions in Australia - sub-tropical 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

Your comments and tips

10 Nov 14, Kelly (Australia - tropical climate)
We have brought two sets of different brands of spring onion seeds and neither have done anything not even germinated. The packets said they can be planted now. We have been watering and fertilising but the garden beds are new and dont have a lot of nutrients. But I would expect they would sprout and then not thrive not have nothing comeup. Any tips or ideas as to why this may be. Many thanks
07 Aug 22, Tom (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Trying to grow these from seed is difficult. The tiny seedlings are easy to lose as well. Honestly just buy a bunch from a shop, cut the bottoms off about an inch long them put them into potting mix. You'll have usable tops within a month. Far, far easier than trying to grow from seed. I had aso failed to grow from seed many times, and then realised I wasted my time with that. They take very readily as cuttings from mature plants.
07 May 18, hamish (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
onion seeds do not keep very well. storing in freezer improves viability. ...you are lucky to store viable seeds for more than a year in ambient condition....check the use by date.....a good long date will improve your success. Also check variety - it helps to have local seeds from successful crop.
07 Aug 14, may (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
can u grow the spring onions in a cold frame temp gets up to 10 to 20 when the sun isout
17 Sep 14, abishek (Australia - tropical climate)
yes they can grow in tempreturs from minus 30 to 20 degrees
31 Jul 14, Camila (Australia - temperate climate)
My shallots have a lot black tiny insects on them. They cover almost the whole plant however until where i can see they don't eat it. Now the same are going to my chives. Already tried neem oil but no succeed. what can i do?
07 Nov 13, doug dewar (Australia - arid climate)
i have planted onions and spring onions over the top of pea mulch of which has germinated,i have been pulling out the peas so there is no more,i would like to know if i should use sulphate of potash to balance out the high level of nitrogen in the soil.If you could steer me in the right direction as i really don't want to lose my vegies and still want good growth in them,hoping you can help me.regards doug dewar.
06 Oct 13, Vicky (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Spring onions that I grew from seeds resemble toothpicks for almost 2-3 months through winter. They usually "thicken up" when the weather warms up and I find after I cut the leaves (and use in my cooking), the new leaves get thicker (as thick as the one you buy) and they keep coming back.
18 May 21, Jan (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
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.
30 Aug 13, Kyria (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted my spring onions (from seed) roughly a month and half ago, they have only grown a tiny bit - they actually resemble toothpicks. What am I doing wrong? I live in Melbourne metro. I have the exact same problem with my leeks
Showing 11 - 20 of 55 comments

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