Onions

[lesleygl]

I have an Italian neighbour and he is growing some onions, I don't know what they are or where he gets them from. They are grown in a group, look a bit like spring onions. He picks a few and they seem to grow back. Any ideas anyone? I would ask him but can't understand what he says!!

[Two_Sheds]

bunching onion?
Dunno really, just guessing. this is a nice link to Italian onions anyway: Italian Seed and Tool Onion

[organic]

bedford italian lessons - Google Search
Might help.

[zazen999]

Ask him for a clump and you will also have some.

There are all sorts of bunching onions.....if you like his I'm sure he would let you have some.

[Use google to find out Italian for 'swapsies' and offer something in return.....]

[lesleygl]

thanks you all, you are right I will try and ask

[chriscross1966]

How big are they?..... The one you see most commonly in our part of the world are Welsh onions.... they're a bit like a coarse chive and a bit on the mild side, which isn't so bad when you want them for a sandwich or potato salad. There are a lot of others though, alliums are a a broad church.... Some of the potato and pearl onions would also match that description to some extent (though not the topsetting ones)

chrisc

[lesleygl]

They are about the size of a large spring onion

[zazen999]

welsh onions - Google Images

Called Welsh not because they are Welsh but.....

The name "Welsh onion" is a misnomer in modern English, as Allium fistulosum is not indigenous to Wales. "Welsh" preserves the original meaning of the Old English word welisc, or Old German "welsche", meaning "foreign".

[organic]

Zazen...
Funny that, doesn't the word Wales come from the Germanic Waelisc meaning basically the same? (Well, more than just "foreign" in that case, more romanised foreigners... Celts who also spoke Latin)

[zazen999]

Probably.......

[Snadger]

If they are welsh bunching onions I wouldn't bother! They are tasteless affairs and grow like weeds. I had some in my plot when I got it but after trying them I gave them away.
Even the plotholders I gave them to chucked them out soon after!

[lesleygl]

Thank you - I don't think I will bother in that case, appreciate all you help

[chriscross1966]

I think they're being a bit unfair.... they are mild but I wouldn't call them tasteless....