How to Grow Bunching Onions

Bunching onions, also known as scallions, are really nothing more than young onions planted from seeds. Although there is a variety that is considered the true scallion, young, immature onions with a white base and green, straight tops may be sold as either bunching onions or scallions in supermarkets and produce stands. Growing bunching onions at home can be accomplished on a sunny windowsill, but they thrive when planted in the garden.

Things You'll Need

• Garden tools Compost Onion seeds

Instructions

1. Choose a sunny location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight a day.

2. Prepare the soil by tilling to a depth of 8 inches. Remove any rocks or debris, and rake the soil until it's smooth. Finely worked soil produces the best onions.

3. Add plenty of compost or other organic matter. Onions like fertile soil and will benefit from organic materials.

4. Plant the onion seeds in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. Plant the seeds 4 inches apart in rows if you intend to let some mature into bulbs. Otherwise, broadcast the seeds over a wide row of 4 to 8 inches.

5. Cover the seeds lightly with soil, and firm down with your hands.

6. Spray water to dampen the soil and keep the soil evenly moist until seeds germinate in seven to 10 days, depending on the variety and the soil temperature.

7. Harvest when young onions are 8 to 10 inches high, usually within eight to 10 weeks.

Tips & Warnings

• Start onions indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost for an earlier harvest.