Growing spring onions from seed is a straightforward process that can be accomplished in your garden or in containers. Here's a detailed guide on how to successfully grow spring onions from seed, incorporating specific advice on soil preparation and sowing techniques.
Understanding Spring Onions
Spring onions, also known as scallions, are young onions harvested before the bulb fully develops. They are valued for their mild onion flavor and crisp texture, making them a popular addition to salads, stir-fries, and various other dishes.
Preparing to Grow Spring Onions
Choosing the Right Time and Location
- Timing: Spring onions can be sown throughout the growing season, but for a continuous supply, sow seeds every few weeks.
- Location: Choose a sunny spot in your garden that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Spring onions can also be grown in partial shade, but full sun promotes the best growth.
Soil Preparation
- Soil Type: Spring onions prefer well-drained, fertile soil. If your soil is heavy clay or very sandy, amend it with compost or well-rotted manure to improve its texture and fertility.
- Raking: Before sowing, rake the soil to a fine texture. This ensures good seed-to-soil contact, which is essential for germination.
- Watering: If the soil is very dry, water it thoroughly 24 hours before sowing. Moist soil helps the seeds to germinate more effectively.
Sowing Spring Onion Seeds
Sowing Directly in the Garden
- Create Drills: Make shallow drills (rows) in the prepared soil, approximately 20mm deep and 10cm apart.
- Sow Seeds: Sow the spring onion seeds thinly along the drills.
- Cover and Water: Cover the seeds lightly with soil and water gently using a watering can with a fine rose or a hose with a mist setting.
- Germination Time: Spring onion seeds typically germinate within 10-14 days.
Sowing in Trays or Modules
- Prepare Trays: Fill seed trays or modules with a good quality seed starting mix.
- Sow Seeds: Sow a few seeds in each module or thinly across the tray.
- Cover: Lightly cover the seeds with the seed starting mix.
- Water: Water gently to moisten the soil without disturbing the seeds.
- Transplanting: Wait for the seedlings to develop a good root system before transplanting them into the garden. This usually takes about 6-8 weeks. Space the seedlings 2-5cm apart in rows that are 10-15cm apart.
Growing and Caring for Spring Onions
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Watering | Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods. |
| Thinning | Thin out seedlings if they are too close together to ensure proper growth. |
| Weeding | Regularly weed around the plants to reduce competition for nutrients and water. |
| Feeding | Spring onions generally do not require additional feeding if the soil is fertile. |
| Harvesting | Harvest spring onions when they reach your desired size, typically 8-10 weeks after sowing. |
| Pest Control | Monitor for pests such as onion flies and diseases like white rot. Use organic pest control methods if necessary. |
Benefits of Growing Spring Onions from Seed
- Cost-Effective: Growing from seed is cheaper than buying transplants.
- Variety: You can choose from a wide range of spring onion varieties when growing from seed.
- Continuous Supply: Staggering your sowing times ensures a continuous supply throughout the growing season.
