Better than shop bought
Really easy to grow, spring onions are always a brilliant addition to a summer salad or crunchy stir fries.
They don’t need much space to grow, so they’re ideal for the smallest of gardens, a balcony or even a windowsill.
Otter’s useful guide to Spring Onions
Different types
While most of us know the classic spring onions bought from grocers or supermarkets, there are other varieties to try growing including some with purple bulbs and others with darker green leaves.
How to grow spring onions
Where to grow
Almost anywhere, so long as there is sunshine.
If you’re growing in the ground, spring onions will do best in a light, well-draining soil.
If your soil is clay you may do better growing them in containers.
In the ground
Prepare the soil.
Add fertilizer well beforehand to avoid the energy going into the leaf rather than the bulb.
Weed, rake and if necessary water the soil before planting the seedlings.
Dig shallow rows about 10cm apart and plant the seedlings approximately 2cm apart.
General advice
Watering
Spring onions should be watered regularly to avoid the soil drying out.
Mulch will help to retain moisture.
General Tips
Sow on a regular basis for a summer-long supply
Choose a warm, sunny spot
Protect from slugs and snails
Some hardy varieties will continue to grow through into the winter
When to grow
Keep the spring onion seedlings in their growing containers until they’ve developed a strong root system.
Then plant outside in their final location, in the ground or a larger container.
Things to look out for
Pests and Disease
Onion downy mildew: leaves turn yellow, then a white then purple mould appears on the underside of the leaves.
Unfortunately you’ll need to destroy the plants and refrain from growing spring onions and other onions for five years.
White rot shows as a white fungal growth at the bottom of the bulb.
This is a serious disease and impossible to eradicate once it is introduced.
Onion fly can destroy seedlings: however growing from baby plants means this is less of an issue.
When to harvest
Your spring onions should be ready to harvest around six to eight weeks after planting.
For a mild flavour pick when they are about 6cm tall.
For a stronger flavour leave in the ground longer.
Need more advice?
If you’re still unsure or need any advice, our friendly teams will be happy to chat with you and suggest which varieties would be best for you to plant, as well as when and where to plant them.
We hope you enjoy planting your spring onions – but more importantly, enjoy eating them!
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