Spring Onion Growing Guide
Spring onions are a versatile ingredient you can use to elevate a range of savoury dishes from pastries and tarts to fresh salads. They’re also a key component in international favourites like bhajis and stir-fries.
Introduction
Spring onions are a versatile ingredient you can use to elevate a range of savoury dishes from pastries and tarts to fresh salads. They’re also a key component in international favourites like bhajis and stir-fries.
If you're looking to have fresh spring onions readily available in your kitchen, follow these simple, practical tips on how to grow spring onions at home.
How to plant spring onions
You can grow spring onions at home in a few simple steps.
1. Prepare the soil: Whether you are planting in pots, containers, or modules, or directly outside in the ground, the soil must be rich and fertile, moist, well-drained and without weeds. For optimum growth, add compost or well-rotted manure.
2. Sow the seeds: In 1cm deep drills (around the depth of a fingernail), sow the seeds thinly. Make sure the soil has been raked to a fine texture and is well-watered if it's dry and hot. Close up the drill or backfill with potting soil.
3. Seedlings: If you have planted them indoors, they will be ready for transplanting in a week or two, once they have grown 5-8cm into seedlings.
4. Planting: Plant the seedlings 5-10cm apart in the soil.
5. Harvest: Spring onions are usually ready to harvest no more than 12 weeks after sowing, but often a lot sooner.
When to plant spring onions
You can start sowing spring onions in late winter if indoors, and into early spring if outdoors. Continue to sow in succession every few weeks throughout the spring and summer for regular harvesting.
How long do spring onions take to grow
From sowing to harvesting, spring onions typically take 8 weeks. This can depend on a variety of factors, including:
- Onion variety, such as fast-growing, winter-growing White Lisbon
- Growing conditions, e.g., using polytunnels
- The size you want
How to regrow spring onions from scraps
Spring onion root ends are rarely used. They're often sliced off and binned. But did you know you can use them to grow your own spring onions?
All you need to do is put the roots upright in a cup. Add enough water to submerge the roots, leaving the tips exposed. Put the cup on a windowsill, and green shoots should emerge in a few days.
Once the shoots are around 12cm long, repot them or plant them in the ground. After a few weeks, you can enjoy fresh spring onions.
How to grow spring onions from onions
When you purchase shallots or onions with leaves coming out the top, they can be used to grow spring onions at home, following these simple tips.
1. Put the bulbs upright into a bowl or basin. Submerge the bottom half of the bulbs in water, leaving the top leaves exposed. Leave for four hours, until the shallots are soaked.
2. Next, you can plant them outside. Like planting the seeds and seedlings, make sure the soil is fine, moist, well-drained, and rich. Dig a small hole in the soil and plant the whole bulb, leaving the leaves exposed. Make sure the bulb is embedded in the soil.
3. Ensure the soil stays well-watered. In a week or so, the spring onions should be around 20-25cm and ready for harvest.
How to grow spring onions with Premier Polytunnels
At Premier Polytunnels, we have over 35 years' experience providing polytunnels for domestic and commercial use. Polytunnels are easy to construct, made to last, and provide the ideal environment to spring onions all year round. They also help protect your spring onions from birds and other pests.
You can contact our team on 01282 811250 for help and support on choosing the right products. Alternatively, email us at info@premierpolytunnels.co.uk.
