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A common ingredient in kitchens, green onions are used to flavour and decorate a wide variety of foods, including salads, soups, sauces, and dips. Scallions, sometimes known as green onions, are Allium fistulosum onions, which do not produce bulbs. These are the green onions that are typically found in supermarkets. Their soft, garden-fresh texture and subtle onion flavour make them highly valued.
Chopped green onions are one of the final ingredients used to stir-fries in Asian cooking, and they are cooked for a short while before being served. They can also be grilled whole as a side dish or chopped and added to a salad.
Allium cepa var. proliferum, often known as the Egyptian walking onion, is an additional variety of green onion that home gardeners can enjoy. For optimal growth, all onions need full sunlight. These plants grow quickly and require very little space to grow. Read on to learn more!
Where To Plant Green Onions?
Green onions should be planted in well-drained, fertile soil that is neutral to slightly acidic and in a sunny location. They are small enough to be easily tucked into an elevated bed's corner or at the end of a row of another crop.
Raised beds are a wonderful option for growing green onions because they require sufficient drainage. They can be planted in containers with edible flowers or herbs.
How To Grow Green Onions?
Start green onions inside in early spring to be transplanted into the garden in late spring, or plant them from seed outside in mid-spring. In roughly 60 to 90 days, they are suitable for harvesting due to their quick growth. For a summer harvest, they can be planted in the spring and then again in the middle of summer for a fall or winter harvest.
Prior to planting, make sure the bed is clear of weeds and pull any that emerge while still little. The competition between weeds for nutrients and water is fierce, and pulling up giant weeds without upsetting the tender green onion plants is almost impossible.
Tips For Taking Care Of Green Onions
One of the simplest and most satisfying veggies to cultivate is green onions. They yield a crop fast and require little room.
Light, Soil, And Water Conditions
Light green onions may withstand little shade, especially in the afternoon, but they thrive in full sun (at least six hours every day).
Green onions grow best in soil that is neutral to slightly acidic (pH of 6.0 to 7.0), while a fertile sandy loam is optimal. They are not picky about soil type. Proper drainage is crucial, as excessive moisture leads to the decay of roots. Before planting, till the soil down to a depth of around 6 inches with compost to enhance drainage and provide nutrients. If you are growing green onions in pots, make sure the pots have enough holes for drainage.
While they dislike damp soil, green onions like consistent moisture and aim for one inch of water on average each week. Weeds that compete with the plants for moisture are discouraged, and moisture loss is decreased by covering them with a layer of mulch.
Humidity And Temperature
Green onions are cool-season crops that thrive in the spring and autumn. Although 25°C is the ideal temperature for germination, seeds can sprout in the soil at any temperature over 20°C. Green onions are not adversely affected by humidity.
Fertiliser
Although onions are heavy feeders, using compost before planting allows for a delayed release of nutrients; side-dressing with an organic fertiliser once a month will encourage the growth of new leaves. Another approach is to water your plants once a month using a soluble fertiliser like fish emulsion.
Repotting And Potting
You may grow green onions outside in containers. Pick a 12-inch-deep or larger container that has drainage holes, then add damp potting soil that drains properly to it. Plant seeds a half-inch deep. To prevent weeds, cover the seedlings with a layer of mulch once they develop genuine leaves. It's not required to report.
Harvesting
When it comes time to harvest green onions, you should wait until the stem is as thick as a pencil and has a diameter of approximately ¼ to ¾ inch. Depending on the cultivar and weather, this can happen 60 to 90 days after seeding. It is not necessary to harvest the scallions ahead of time, even though they will be kept in the refrigerator for approximately a week. Take out the entire plant, including the roots, trim the roots, give the stems a wash, and use them fresh. As an alternative, you could trim off a few leaves, allowing the roots to continue growing additional leaves for future harvests.
