Green onions are one of the most commonly used vegetables in most houses. They have immense health benefits like it boosts your immune system, helps in keeping your intestine clean, and preventing various deadly diseases like cancer.
Most people don’t believe that green onion cannot be produced from seeds as it is a biennial plant. So, how to grow green onion from seeds? You can sow the seeds on the soil after the last frost for the best results. Green onions need constant moisture and at least 6 hours of direct sunlight for growth.
So, grow green onions in your garden and enjoy their fresh flavor in various dishes and salads.
Different Names Associated With Green Onion
1. Green Onions
Green onions are those onions that are harvested before producing bulbs. They are usually sold in a bunch in most grocery stores. You can consume them both in raw as well as cooked form. Greens onions are quite popularly used in Asian cuisines.
2. Spring Onions
These onions, also known as bulb onions, are most popular in salads. Spring onions are planted mainly during fall and mature in the spring season.
They are usually harvested when the bulb grows to almost one inch in diameter because it tastes delightful. The tender green leaves don’t have much pleasant taste to consume.
3. Scallions
Scallions are a type of green onion that will never produce a bulb. They are usually labeled as green onions in grocery stores.
Conditions Required For Growing Green Onion
1. Light
Green onions are leafy vegetables and need at least 6-8 hours of abundant sunlight for proper growth.
2. Soil
Green onions grow well in sand and loamy soil and should drain water quickly. The PH value of the soil should be either acidic or neutral. You should add compost at least 6 to 8 inches deep into the soil for good growth of green onions.
3. Water
You must water the plants regularly as the green onions have shallow roots. But don’t overwater the plant, as it can cause diseases. Try to always keep the soil moist for proper growth.
4. Temperature & Humidity
Green onions grow well between 68 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity affects green onions as long as they have proper drainage to prevent various diseases.
5. Pollination
These plants self-pollinate. So you don’t have to worry about it.
But don’t allow the plants to bloom, as it can affect the taste of their leaves and stalk.
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How To Grow Green Onions From Seeds?
The best thing about green onions is that you can easily grow them in your garden. They don’t take much space, and you can harvest them within 50-60 days after sowing seeds.
You can even grow them in a container 3-4 inches in height. The leaves of green onions usually grow almost 3 feet in height, but people harvest the leaves when they grow nearly one foot.
The green onion is famous for its stalk and leaves, which have a sweet flavor. You can easily grow them from seeds, which will cost you 10 to 20 dollars. You can sow some seeds in your garden and preserve others for future use, as these seeds will remain in good condition for over two years. However, you need to store these seeds properly.
Now let’s discuss how to grow green onions from seeds.
1. Purchase Green Onion seeds From the Market
Your first duty is to purchase green onion seeds from the Market. They are available easily in your nearby nursery and don’t cost much.
2. Prepare The Soil Bed To Grow Green Onions
Your next duty is to choose a place in the garden that receives good sunlight. Green onions need well-drained soil for proper growth. However, add some compost to the soil to enrich the soil with nutrients.
Additionally, clear any weeds in the soil so they will not obstruct the growth of green onions.
If you have decided to grow green onions from a pot, then fill compost-rich soil in a pot.
3. Sow The Seeds
You can sow the seeds after the last frost. Remember, the soil temperature necessary for germination is 66 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
Start sowing the seeds one-half inch deep into the soil. Keep a distance of at least one foot between two rows.
If you are staying in a frigid climate, then prefer to sow seeds indoors a few weeks before the last frost. You can put two to three green onion seeds in one pot and cover them one-half to one-fourth inches with soil.
Try to keep the soil moist for proper germination. You can check the moisture in the soil with the help of a pencil. Take a pencil and dip it inside the soil. If the soil is moist, it will stick to the pencil while removing it.
Additionally, don’t overwater, as the seed can rot and fail to germinate. Keep the pot always in a place where the plant can receive sunlight for proper growth.
You can transplant the green onions outside once the external conditions become favorable for their growth.
Green onions have strong roots, so there will be no issue while transplanting.
4. Remove Weak Plants
You must look at the soil bed and remove weak sproutings if required. Try to leave at least 3 inches distance from one mature plant to another.
5. Add Mulch
You can add grass or pine straw around the seedling area. It will prevent weeds from growing in that area. Simultaneously it helps in keeping the soil moist.
If you are growing green onion in a pot, you don’t need to add mulch. Additionally, you can easily control the moisture in the soil.
6. Water The Plants
Green onions need a good amount of water for proper growth. You have to always keep the soil moist for better development of the plant.
You can test the soil moisture with a pencil or with your finger. Insert one finger inside the soil. You don’t need to water it if you feel it’s moist. Repeat the experiment after one or two days, and once you find the soggy soil, water it thoroughly.
Additionally, if rain has occurred recently, you don’t need to water your plant.
7. Harvest Green Onions
You will observe that the green shoots will be almost 8 inches tall and ready to eat. The green shoots will not develop bulbs at that time.
You can completely uproot the plant and consume both the white and green parts of the plant. Both have good flavor, and you can add them to any Asian cuisine, soups, or other dishes.
Some people want to eat only the green part of the plant and don’t want the white portion; then, you can take scissors or garden shear and cut the green shoots by leaving a few inches from the ground. You will see green shoots appearing once again after a few days.
How Can I Grow Green Onions In Jar?
1. Buy a Bunch Of Green Onions From Grocery Market
Your first duty is to purchase a bunch of green onions from a grocery or farmer’s market. You can easily consume the green portion and leave the white part and roots for growing green onions at home.
2. Put The Roots Of Green Onion In Glass Jar
Now take a glass jar and put the roots in a glass jar. Ensure that the roots are faced downward so that green shoots grow upward. Also, keep the glass jar in a place so it can receive a good amount of sunlight.
3. Now Pour Water
Now pour some water into the glass jar. You must pour enough water so that the roots will completely dissolve in water.
The magic will happen within a few days. You will observe that the roots will start to get longer. The green shoots will start growing from the bulb.
4. Harvest
You can harvest when you observe green shoots growing almost 6 inches long. Take out the onion completely from the jar and chop as much as you want to put it in dishes and then again put it in a glass jar for further growing.
If you want the green onion to grow throughout the year, put some pebbles and stones at the bottom of the jar. Put some soil over the rocks and plant green onions over them.
Remember to keep the soil moist for the proper growth of the plant. Additionally, always keep the jar in a place where it can receive abundant sunlight.
Wrap Up
Green onions can easily grow in your garden. They are even healthy. So you can consume them daily to keep healthy. You must ensure that the plant must receive a good amount of sunlight and adequate water for proper growth.
Some common pests like slugs, aphids, and cutworms can attack green onions. So if you find such pests, choose another area for growing.
Thank you for reading this article, and if possible, post a few pictures of green onions if you have grown them in your yard or pot. We will be happy to see those pictures.
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