Spring onions

[Rosee]

Hi all,

I've read that spring onion have fairly shallow roots, I was planning on sowing straight into a seed tray and leaving them there, do you think that would work?

Would I need to keep them in house til they've germinated or would they be ok to go straight outside on the patio?

Thanks!

[Veggielot]

Never thought of planting them in a seed tray, if you are short of space then there is np harm in trying. Its probably warm enough to put them straight outside, I have been planting direct outside without any problem.

Starting them off indoors is really only needed to help with germination, it warm enough now not to worry about that. If you do start them off indoors you will have to harden them off, gradually introduce them to the outdoors.

[Tripmeup]

I would avoid the seed tray if possible as I think it still would not be deep enough...Whilst the roots maybe shallow(?), they still stretch down into the ground a fair bit...I dont think it would be optimal growing conditions for them, and certainly in this dry weather, i would see them drying out very quickly and/orgrowing quite spindly...my tuppence worth

[veggiechicken]

If you can't grow in the ground, try a flower bucket, the ones they give away in some supermarkets like Asda (or a big flower pot)

[Rosee]

Cool thanks guys. I've actually got some large quite deep containers ill bang them in there

[Potstubsdustbins]

I grow mine in troughs about 5" deep and that proves successful.

As for a seed tray I think one of the main problems would be that they would be blown over in the slightest breeze.

Potty

[mothhawk]

I've always had an aversion to spring onions, entirely my father's fault - he loved them raw in salads and as a child I thought they tasted and smelled absolutely awful. The rest of the onion family I love. Here I am now, mumble mumble years old, so this spring I felt it was about time I tried the blooming things, and you know what, they're very nice cooked, so I got some seeds and they are growing along nicely.

What really attracted me was I read somewhere that you can grow them well into winter, by making late sowings. Is that right?

[veggiechicken]

There's White Winter Lisbon "spring" onions that you sow later in the year - or it could be Winter White Lisbon

[Bren In Pots]

I sow my spring onion all year round just a sprinkle in a small plant pot then once they're an inch tall I put them in the garden, or GH in winter time.

[bearded bloke]

There's White Winter Lisbon "spring" onions that you sow later in the year - or it could be Winter White Lisbon

As it goes I have in my hand a Seeds of Italy packet of Blanca de Lisboa.on the back it says sow direct up to August for cropping this year & September for overwintering

[veggiechicken]

Well there you go then. I'll never ever buy a packet of Winter Whites again - not that I do now as I'm not that keen on them

[TonyO]

I've always grown my spring onions directly where they'll grow, - I've got 3 varieties on the go this year I've put them in and left them - even with cold spells & the occasional frosts they seem to be quite tough!

Ishikura - not bulbous like white lisbon - more pencil thin, - great with a strong mature cheddar cheese in a Tiger paw roll from asda!!! Yum- Yum

White lisbon - a good variety - always had good results with them.

Spring Feast (F1 Hybrid) - first time of growing these, & growing is patchy, but they are coming up - dont know what they taste like as yet theyre all over 6" tall but very thin at the mo.

my mouths watering at the thought of eating them already!!!

[Rosee]

White lisbon - a good variety - always had good results with them.

These are the ones I've just put in tony, I've gone with deep containers as I don't have the ground space at the minute (hopefully that'll change by next year!)

It's the first time I've ever done spring onions, what's the tell tale sign that they're ready to harvest?

[Potstubsdustbins]

You will see very easily when they are ready.

Its more a case of how thick do you like your onions. I started harvesting my Guardsmen last week just as thick as a pencil and sweet as a nut.

Potty

[rustylady]

It's the first time I've ever done spring onions, what's the tell tale sign that they're ready to harvest?

When they look big enough to eat