How to Grow Onion Tops

Onion tops are best grown from sets.

Grow a plentiful harvest of onions in a small space in no time with onion tops. Onion tops are also known as green or spring onions. Onion tops are more mild tasting when they are young, and get stronger as an the onion bulb matures. Young green onions are most often grown from sets. They also grow quicker and stronger using this method. Once you harvest your spring onions, you can use the roots to grow more onion tops.

Things You'll Need

• Onion sets
• Compost
• 1-2-2 fertilizer
• Mulch

Instructions

1. Choose onion sets that are larger in size than a dime to plant. Make sure they haven't begun growing during storage before purchasing them.

2. Clear a well-drained area to plant your onion sets in early spring. Add compost evenly to the top 4 inches of soil in your garden area. Use a 1-2-2 fertilizer to add nutrients to the soil.

3. Plant each set at a depth of 1 inch. Space each planting so that they are nearly touching the previous plant.

4. Moisten the soil with water each day. Add about an inch of water to the soil each week once the onion tops begin to appear.

5. Remove weeds by digging shallowly around the plants so that the roots are not harmed, or pull them by hand. Wait to begin weeding until the onion greens are about 4 inches in height. Add mulch around the plants to help stop weeds.

6. Harvest onion tops once they reach 6 inches in height by holding the base of the plant near the dirt, and pulling it gently from the ground. Cut the base of the onion an inch up from the where the roots start, and replant the roots to grow a second harvest.

References

• Ohio State University Extension; Growing Onions in the Home Garden; Marianne Riofrio
• University of Minnesota Extension; Growing Onions; Beth Jarvis
• University of Illinois Extension: Onion; Ron Wolford, et al.
• Veggie Gardener; How to Grow Green Onions;