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Spring Onions

Allium cepa

INTRODUCTION

Spring or Salad Onions (also known as Scallions) are immature Onions harvested before being full-grown. They do, however, have their own selection of varieties that are suited to this type of production and should not be confused with standard Onions.

They are easy to grow and a great crop for the beginner. Harvests can be ready in as little as 8 weeks from sowing and can be cropped over a long period of the year.

They work well in salads but can be used in a wide range of kitchen recipes.

Soil Preparation

Spring Onions are a very easy crop to grow in any soil type.

The growing site should be in a sunny position with organic material added well in advance of sowing.

The ground ideally should be light, fertile, free-draining and stone free.

Spring Onions do not appreciate wet soils, especially if growing overwintered crops.

Don't grow any type of Onions in soils that have had Alliums grown in the last two seasons. Always practice crop rotation.

Sowing & Planting

Spring Onions are normally sown from early spring onwards when weather permits but can also be sown during late summer for overwintering.

Each type shares the same sowing requirements.

Prepare the seedbed by removing stones and weeds and rake to a fine tilth and gently firm soil.

Take out a drill (shallow trench) 2.5cm (1 inch) deep and sow seed thinly.

Leave 25cm (10 inches) between individual rows.

Cover and water well.

As an alternative, Spring Onions make an excellent subject for growing in pots undercover. Sowing/harvests can be made much earlier in the season.

Use a pot size of at least 10 litres filled with multi-purpose compost. Sow thinly and cover with a light sieving of compost.

Growing & General Cultivation

If you have managed to sow thinly, there will be no need for crop thinning.

Keep growing area weed-free but take care not to damage roots when hoeing.

Keep watering to a minimum as Onions do not like to be overly wet.

Feeding should not be necessary.

Pests & Diseases

Spring Onions are a very trouble-free crop. The odd issue may arise:

Downy mildew which shows as yellow patches on foliage and affected leaves should be removed. To prevent, ensure good air circulation and low humidity. It is more prevalent in new growth. You could try growing a resistant variety such as 'Feast'

Onion White Rot is a soil-borne fungal disease and a serious problem if you have it. It will affect all members of the Allium family and can persist in the soil for twenty years or more. Avoid growing any Onion related crops in the same soil.

Onion Fly will result in plants collapsing. The larvae eat roots in early summer, particularly during very dry weather. Cover susceptible growing areas with fleece.