Growing Spring Onions

How to grow spring onions (Scallions) in containers, garden beds and allotments

Spring Onions

Family/Latin Name	Allium - fistulosum
Type of Plant	Bulb - Crop Rotation Group = Others
Suitable for	Garden Beds, Allotments, containers

Plant Dimensions	Height Up to 30cm/12" - Spread up to 7.5cm/3"
Yield per plant	1 Spring Onion
Time between sowing and harvesting	12 weeks
Where to Sow	Outdoors in open ground or in containers
Sowing time	March to July - temperature +10C/50F
How to Sow	12mm/½" deep - very thinly - in rows 30cm/12" apart or in groups/blocks. Succession sowing (sowing a small amount every week or so) ensures a ready supply of young sweet specimens throughout the season.
After Germination	Thin seedlings to 5cm/2". Keep the soil moist but not very wet and weed free.
Growing on - in Pots	Water in dry weather and feed once or twice during the growing season.
Growing on - in open ground	Water in dry weather and feed once or twice during the growing season. Keep weed free
Aftercare	As above
Harvesting	Pull as and when needed. Harvesting can start once the bulbs reach 12mm/¼" in thickness

Pests and Diseases

Companion Plants

Not often severely attacked due to the short growing period.
Onion Fly
Indications	Yellow drooping leaves and maggots in the base of the bulbs
Treatment	None. Lift and burn infected plants
Prevention	Organic 1. Practise crop rotation. 2. Destroy any thinnings or broken leaves 3. Firm the soil around young plants very firmly Chemical Spray young plants with an insecticide containing chlorpyrifos
Stem and Bulb Eelworm
Indications	Young plants leaves become swollen and twisted. Bulbs have a soft feel to them and often split at the base. The worms are not visible to the naked eye.
Treatment	None - lift and burn infected plants
Prevention	Practice crop rotation
White Tip
Indications	Tips of leaves turn white and papery, spreading downwards
Treatment	Organic Lift and destroy badly infected plants Chemical Spray with an insecticide containing Dithane as soon as you see the first signs of disease
Prevention	Practice crop rotation

Downy Mildew
Indications	Yellow patches on leaves with a greyish mould underneath
Treatment	Organic Remove the infected leaves and apply an organic copper spray/dust to diseased and surrounding plants every 7-10 day Chemical Remove the infected leaves and spray with Dithane at first sign of attack
Prevention	Avoid damp or humid sites and overcrowding. Practice crop rotation.

Companion Flower Graphic

Grow Beetroot, Carrot, Lettuce, Cabbage Family close by.

Create a bio-diverse environment by planting flowers nearby to attract bees, ladybirds and other "friendlies".

To learn more about companion planting click here.

In the Kitchen

Storage: Loose or in net bags for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Preparing: Cut off the root then peel the papery skin off. It may be necessary to take off an extra "layer" to get to the unblemished bulb. Often left whole or halved lengthways. Larger specimens should be sliced.

Cooking:

Spring onions, also known as bunching onions or scallions, are generally eaten raw in salads. Both the green and white parts are edible However, they can be cooked and are especially suitable for quick dishes such as stir-fries or omlettes.

For more preparation and cooking information about spring onions plus lots of recipes visit our sister site www.recipes4us.co.uk.

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